Meet Mollie Johanson
We chat to this talented embroidery designer about her inspiration for projects and what advice she’d give to those new to the craft
HOW DID YOU BECOME AN EMBROIDERY DESIGNER?
My mom has been sewing almost all of her life, so watching her definitely marks the start of my interest. As a child, I also spent a lot of time with my grandma, and she taught me how to use a sewing machine. She showed me quilts and other handmade items that relatives made, and gave me vintage supplies to work with. From there, it only took seeing what you can create with a bit of stitching for me to be hooked! I barely sewed during my teens but dipped back into it in my 20s. As I fell ever more deeply in love with sewing, I began to want to share my creations, and created my blog Wild Olive. I love sharing what I make and it makes me happy, and
I hope that makes others happy too.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?
I love cute things. If I can make something that will prompt a person ( myself included!) to say “aww... that’s so cute!” then I’m happy. Finding ways to make that happen through fabric and thread and simple stitches is truly enjoyable.
WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?
I’m a big fan of social media, especially Twitter and Instagram – I love that it makes it easy to interact with people who follow me and whom I follow, which means that I end up having more conversations. That element of community is what drew me to the online crafting and sewing world. Some of my sewing favourite blogs to browse include www. nanacompany. typepad. com, www. whileshenaps. com and www. stitchedincolor. com. Inspiration also often comes in unexpected ways! Discovering an artist, learning about other cultures or historical eras, or exploring a design style have all led me to make something new. Museums are a great place for me to find new obsessions!
WHAT’S A TYPICAL DAY FOR YOU?
First, I check my email, just in case something really important pops up! Then coffee, stitching and repeat. Between 10am and 3pm I try to get the bulk of my step- by- step tutorial photos taken, which means lots of making and pausing to take a picture, more making, and so on. When the light changes, I do photo editing and work on writing and drawing patterns. After dinner I usually sew or embroider some more, often for several hours.
TOP ADVICE FOR NEW EMBROIDERERS?
My grandma told me that the back of your embroidery should be as pretty as the front, and I think that applies to all kinds of crafts. Don’t just make something that looks good enough; instead, stitch something of quality that holds up to inspection. This is the kind of work that you’ll be proud of making.