Abigail Cecile
Bright colours meet folk art and Jacobean style in the work of US designer and stitcher Abigail Cecile. She catches up with CrossStitcher...
Abigail Cecile learned to embroider with the Royal School of Needlework at the historic home of Henry VIII, Hampton Court Palace, but her heart lies back across the pond in her native rural Michigan. Now an embroidery and needlepoint designer as well as an in-demand instructor, her mission is to spread the love of stitch. She chatted to us about her creative life so far. Can you tell us about how you grew to love stitching?
When I was young my parents saw my love of creativity and completely indulged me. As long as I can remember, our home was filled with every kind of art medium you can think of: paints, markers, pastels, dyes, fabric, thread, yarn, spinners’ wool. I learned everything from bookmaking to weaving, and from photography to screenprinting. Over time, I found that I was especially drawn to the needle arts.
When we discovered the Royal School of Needlework, I immediately knew that I wanted to attend. To an American girl in love with fibre arts, studying embroidery in an English palace was a dream come true. As soon as I graduated from high school, I headed to England.
We’re so envious – what was it like studying at the RSN?
Magical! I was learning needlework from some of the best in the world … in a beautiful and historic palace. The atmosphere was so focused, I could stitch the whole day away. There was a camaraderie with the other students that I haven’t experienced since. While at RSN, I became certified in Canvaswork, similar to American needlepoint, Crewelwork, and Silk Shading.
Coming to England was such an adventure. I had never been to Europe, and at first the differences between England and Michigan were a bit overwhelming. While I love every one of my memories from England, I flew back with an even
I’m drawn to traditional designs but can’t help but be influenced by modern colour trends and ideas
stronger affection for my home. There’s nothing like travel to make you realise what ‘home’ really means.
You went on to more studying?
I realised that I didn’t have the art skills to design the embroideries I was dreaming about so I enrolled in an online degree program. I spent several years working through mostly foundational drawing and painting classes.
One of my homework assignments looked like it would make a perfect needlepoint piece, so I thought I would try to paint a canvas just for fun. Soon after, I met a woman who is a national teacher and fellow RSN student – I showed her my canvas and she help me fix the mistakes, then mentored me through building a portfolio and landing a design job at Fleur de Paris, a company that produces needlepoint canvases.
How did you then start your own business?
I started a blog and tried to post regularly even though only a few friends and family were reading it. Next I opened an Etsy shop in early 2015 with my first item, an embroidery pattern. It was incredibly exciting to get my first Etsy sale from a complete stranger. Maybe that’s when I knew I had to have my own business. Then the world of needlepoint just sort of fell in my lap.
How would you describe your style?
Ever since attending the RSN I’ve been very inspired by historic needlework, especially Jacobean style. I also love the bright colours of American folk art. I’m drawn to traditional designs but I’m 26 years old and can’t help but be influenced by modern colour trends and ideas. Whatever is on the latest stationery or on the racks at Anthropologie seems to end up in my designs. I hope that my designs are rooted in the past and timeless but appeal to modern women.
You’ve said you want to make needlepoint appeal to millennials. Can you tell us more?
Here in the US, it seems like needlepoint is something that ‘Grandma does’. But with the revival of interest in handwork and craftsmanship, I think that young people will find that this type of needlework has incredible potential! A design can be as simple or complex as the stitcher chooses. Needlepoint can be combined with all manner of hand embroidery and fibre art techniques. While some needlepoint designs can be rather out of date, there is a new generation of designers doing some lovely, modern things.
What do you like to do when you’re not stitching or designing?
When I’m not working with my hands I love to cook, it is relaxing and creative in an entirely different way. Michigan is such a beautiful part of the country, I love camping, going to local music festivals, and general adventuring with my family. Plus I’m so excited to reach out to the greater crafting industry with my business – it’s an exciting time to be a part of the handcrafting world.