We interview Suzana Lima
Brazilian author of Romantic Flowers in Cross Stitch, Suzana Lima shares with us her love of tidy stitching and empowering others to try it…
We caught up with cross stitch author Suzana Lima to chat with her about stitching in Brazil, writing cross stitch books and the importance of tidy backs!
How popular is cross stitch in your home country of Brazil?
In my country, much as it is here, cross stitch is an extremely widespread and appreciated craft. But I realised when I arrived here in the UK, cross stitch embroidery is treated as a hobby here, while in Brazil it is regarded as a source of income for women from low-income families, enabling them to improve their budget while they are at home with their children.
What are the differences you see between the popular cross stitch designs in Brazil and in the UK?
England obviously has a wealth of beautiful old architecture and a rich horticultural heritage as well. Some stitchers tend to veer away from stitching scenes that reflect this historical past. Here there is a growing trend to want to cross stitch something different, something new, something more modern, and to explore outside of the traditional cross stitch themes of floral displays and old rural scenes. However, in Brazil, because the country has much less antiquity, very few old buildings and even fewer beautiful old gardens, this subject matter is still very much romanticised and revered – and is still by far the popular choice for cross stitchers to want to depict in their designs. How did you start designing?
I started my career in 1994 and at that time we didn’t have the technology we have today. I would buy squared sheets and make my drawings by hand, using coloured pencils on those tiny squares. Many times I created my designs by drawing directly onto the fabric, substituting coloured pencils for needles. This was hard work because cross stitch does not allow a single stitch to be missed!
What sorts of things inspire you?
Cross stitch does! And all the subject matters people depict in their designs. In particular right now, England inspires me! I am absolutely in love with your beautiful country, and putting the inspiration this gives me into cross stitch.
As you may have already noticed, I am very passionate about cross stitch and I have numerous projects on the go all the time; from the launch of my book about the tidy back technique, the revision of my designs for the next upcoming book and producing designs for magazines, as well as the social media groups and pages that I manage. All of these projects do take up a lot of time, but alongside this I also have another project which I am working on. My desire is to work with women who are victims of domestic violence and who have sought refuge in shelters, where they wish to make a new start for themselves and their children. In my observation it can be beneficial to them to have a new skill to learn and enjoy, to help occupy them during this difficult time of need and of isolation, and to give them an opportunity to produce their own work.
How did your first book about tidy back stitching come about?
In 1995 I was supplying cross stitch pieces to a bedding and linen shop in Goiânia, my hometown, but as the stitches didn’t show from the back, there was no concern about the reverse side. Until one day a client invited me to her office and showed me a cross stitch piece with a perfectly neat back and I was fascinated by this, and compelled to find out how it was done! As I went back home I had all sorts of questions I wanted answers to – How did they do this? How do they avoid overlapping the threads? Where did they hide the knots? I then researched a lot but I couldn’t find anyone who could, or who wanted to teach me the technique. I hit many dead-ends, but after a lot of persistence, prayers and a lot of trying, I managed to learn. By May 1996 the book was already being sold throughout Brazil with huge success. I had such amazing feedback from cross stitchers across Brazil.
Do you think it’s possible for every stitcher to achieve tidy backs?
With my technique, you could learn it in one day if you set your mind to it, and its pretty much like learning how to ride a bike – you won’t forget as long as you practice the technique for a while, until it becomes second nature. Also, it gives you the ability to do so many different projects that you couldn’t do before; ones which if you do them with an untidy back, will get damaged because of the tangled threads at the back. Once mastered, some cross stitchers will be able to make money producing personalised items with a beautiful front and a tidy back. It also helps when framing pieces, because there are no lumps at the back to make it difficult to frame them.
What’s a typical day spent cross stitch designing like for you?
I live and breathe cross stitch. Since I started on this journey, whenever
I go out I’m in magazines stores, haberdashery shops and charity shops. I always look for random inspiration wherever I go, and at times I buy a vintage china tea set just because I love the florals and colour palettes on it.
I use my thread colour samples from Anchor and DMC to decide which palette I want to work with. I also search on the internet for Victorian cross stitch and Berlin wool work.
I look at an image or a scene and I transfer it to the computer with coloured squares. I like to say my mouse is my brush and my computer screen is my canvas. Sometimes we have to take the best of the new, and the best of the old, and put them together. And in the case of cross stitch, the new technology complements the age old craft just perfectly!
What’s coming up next for you?
We are focusing on finalising the translation of the tidy back technique book into other languages and then we will be launching an online course. I’m learning to take it one step at a time. In life I’ve learnt, dreams are realised one bit at a time, and grow steadily but slowly, through your love and your perseverance.
I am absolutely in love with your beautiful country, and putting the inspiration this gives me into cross stitch