Getting to Know the Stitching Community: Rachel (aka: StitchbyRachel)

It’s been awhile since we’ve done one of these stitcher interviews and I thought it would be fun to revive these conversations with the newest contributing writers here at Stitching the Night Away 😉 First up is Rachel …

You can find Rachel hanging out online ….
www.stitchbyrachel.com
internationalstitcher.blogspot.com

on Facebook – www.facebook.com/stitchbyrachel
and on Twitter – @stitchbyrachel

Let’s get right into the stitching Q&A 🙂

What’s your favorite type of cross stitch project to work on?

I don’t have a favorite, but I do prefer objects that are 10-20 colors or less. I have a curious little tyke around so having tons of threaded needles next to me is just not practical in this stage of her life.

I like to explore a lot of monochromatic patterns because it is more about the design than the color scheme.

I think many of us can relate to that scenario. I personally remember one of my boys getting into one of my Teresa Wentzler projects when he was a toddler – right after I sorted all the floss and put it on cards, he un-sorted it for me -LOL-

Do you have a favorite designer?

I like Long Dog Samplers, JBW Designs, Anything blackwork, Permin of Copenhagen – I have attached a project I am working on that I really enjoy but it has taken me a long time to complete because there are 36 greens in it.

How big is your stitching stash?

I have about 80 patterns I intend on completing with specific recipients in mind (I am currently doing an organizational spreadsheet on my blog that is why I can give you a definitive number), but I am a bit of a magazine, reference book, and pattern hoarder so I probably have more like 200+ patterns that I could stitch. I have several lengths of fabric, aida, housewares etc that are stocked away for me to begin or finish projects on, and I prefer to use DMC thread due to its price/accessibility/utility so I have every available color in my region and I have a thread tracker on my iPhone so I can keep track of my thread stash when I am not near my work.

How long have you been stitching? How did you learn?

I did one running backstitch project with my grandmother when I was about 8. I did one home ec’ class in grade 9, and when I was about 29 I saw this aisle in the craft store and became self-taught. I have researched, travelled, studied cross stitch and other stitching methods for the past 10 years. I have taken part in studies with Tanja Berlin who is a prominent stitcher and designer, I have studied at the Victori & Albert museum, and I spent some time working with textile students on stitching patterns and finishing designs.

Do you have any “in real life friends” to share your stitching with in person, or maybe a local stitch-n-bitch with a local stitch group?

There is one brick and mortar stitching store that is about an hour away from my city, the rest have gone under – you can only get basic supplies at the craft store – and this shop has a 12 hour stitch once per month you can attend. Most of my friends/colleagues are knitters or other types of crafters, but I tend to participate in stitch n bitch with them, there is a new cafe opening in my city where you can drink coffee and stitch but I have yet to carve out time to go attend.

I would love to own and hang out a stitching cafe – that’s totally my dream in case the universe was wondering. Stitching the Night Away was originally a cafe/shop in my dreams – I settled for a website instead of a brick and mortar shop, the monthly space rent is much cheaper in the world of the internet -LOL-

What project finish are you most proud of?

Pictured here is the web version, but I haven’t finished it yet. In 1949 my grandmother did 2 petit points from the same company mail ordered it to her city in North America from Denmark from a catalogue. I realized I was working from the same family of patterns when I was about half way through but I am cross stitching. Hers is quite a bit more detailed and delicate of course but it makes me feel a kinship. She is 92 and her memory is going but I am glad to have her completed works to inspire me.

Thank you for sharing your stitching story with us today, Rachel! I certainly look forward to having your contributions here on the blog as well, thank you so much for joining us 🙂

Everyone, please welcome Rachel as a contributor here at Stitching the Night Away and also be sure to stop by her website and give her a thumbs up on Facebook today.

Happy Stitching!