Stories in the stitches
East Coast woman creates art in embroidery
With the fabric secured tightly between the two plastic hoops, Brianna Henry stares at the circle.
It's how she starts every embroidery project because, with endless options, her creations are limitless.
"A lot of my designs are inspired by the particular fabric I use, or the colours I'm inspired by. Sometimes, I sketch an idea out on the fabric and it goes OK," she said with a chuckle.
When Henry first started her embroidery hobby about three years ago, she was looking for something to do creatively with her hands. One night while her husband was out, she asked him to pick up some supplies.
"I bought a couple of patterns online. Soon, I was doing it constantly. And while I was really enjoying it, I wasn't very good. I'd never stitched anything before," said the 27-year-old.
"It takes patience and practice. You really need to be devoted to it to get better."
Soon, she was reading through a book of stitches, detailing the different types and techniques.
It's a slow art, she said; it's not something a person can pick up and finish within an hour.
"The first pieces I started were floral bouquets. I basically would rough outline and then fill it in as I went. I'd work with different colours of threads and details."
As she continued to hone her craft, people would tell her that her embroidery pieces were beautiful and she should consider selling them.
"I was asked to recreate a bridal bouquet for a wedding commission. Monograms as well. You can customize each creation. It makes a good keepsake, even hanging decorations in a newborn's room."
But selling her work didn't come immediately.
"I was nervous to put anything out. People said they were good, but I wasn't sure they were good enough."
Another Island maker asked her if she ever considered entering an Etsy pop-up or starting her own Etsy store. That interaction helped her gain more confidence to start her business Hoop and Holler.
Of all of the embroidery she creates, Henry said likes the different wreathes she can make by designing flower patterns and bouquets.
"It's all about layering. I love the texture in pieces I can create by using different thicknesses of thread. It's always fun. Every piece depends on what works for you and what works for the piece."
The practice of embroidering is relaxing, she said.
"Any craft where you can use your hands, focus on it, but then still have the opportunity to have the tv going or listen to music while you work ... there's nothing better than embroidering while you're under a cozy blanket with a cup of tea by you and a movie on."
She said she'd like to start working on more personalized pieces, a trend that she's seeing among makers.
"I feel like embroidered flowers and greenery are always going to be popular.
But I've seen lately people are using thread to paint a picture rather than use traditional stitches. People are getting portraits made or even pet portraiture. So, a piece of thread will have six individual strands, and then an artist will use those six strands to start the project. Adding a more authentic texture to what the picture is of."
THE PROCESS
When Henry is finishing a project, she prefers to finalize the creation in a wooden hoop.
"They're really simple and pretty and compliment the projects compared to the bright-coloured, plastic ones. But when I'm in the process of making something, I prefer the plastic ones, because they can hold the fabric really snug, and that's what you want."
The hoop must be snug and tight against the fabric to make sure the material doesn't crease, which can make the process harder and impact the designs, she said.
"I prefer to use cotton or linen because it isn't super thick. When the fabric is thick, it will be harder to stitch. I typically use quilters cotton and D.M.C. embroidery thread.
"As for needles, get some that are big enough so you can thread the needle, but one that's not too big that it will leave visible holes in the fabric. I also keep a pair of small, sheer scissors."
For someone who wants to start an embroidery project but doesn't have the materials, there are many local Canadian artists who can supply them with the materials, PDFs and kits.
"I've been seeing a lot of kits become available to people wanting to give it a try. I think it (and other hobbies like this) are being sold a lot more and becoming more popular because people are looking for a way to relax.
"And it's an awesome craft because it's portable. You can do it where ever you want."
She said those looking to try a new hobby, including embroidery, shouldn't be a perfectionist.
"If I could go back and tell myself anything, it would be just that, not to be such a perfectionist. Just have fun and be creative. Don't be so concerned about the end result. Make it about the process and get enjoyment out of it. Use it as a way to relax or learn."