SNAD’s mission is “to promote and share the knowledge and history of hand embroidery and needlework to ensure its future as a valued art form.” We do this through working with diverse communities as well as stitchers of different generations. As we spring into another season, we would like to introduce you to one up-and-coming embroiderer who's touched us as well as been touched by SNAD. Fifteen-year-old Madison Pearson, of San Mateo, California, entered her piece, "Within the Sea of 2016" (below), in our recent Jewels of the Sea Stitch at Home Challenge . As Program Director Lucy Barter said of her protégée, “It blew us away.” We are happy to introduce our followers to this break-out young artist, through her own words.
A New Generation
What is your stitching experience?I started with knitting and progressed eventually to embroidery. Lucy Barter was teaching a class and she introduced its history - I loved how needlework could tell someone's story through stitches. Where did the idea for your design come from? I had a very complicated 2016 and decided I wanted my
embroidery to capture every emotion and event that was tangled within the year. The sea creatures represented positive and negative people that played a large role in my life. It was a fantastic learning experience because I researched every creature to make sure they correctly reflected the qualities of each person. My older brothers loved watching over my shoulder as I embroidered. I never knew others would find slow needlework so captivating! I found it very upholding and tranquil.
Which techniques did you use and how long did it take to stitch? I used a lot of “filler” satin stitches because I was a little too ambitious when I decided to fill every centimeter of the fabric. It took me about three weeks of concentrated stitching time to finish. My family stepped in to do dishes and dinners for me because they were all invested in what my brother called our family's "magnum opus."
Are You Part of the Current Challenge?
Entries are coming in from all over for the Talliaferro Challenge. The one on the left, by Kim Beamish of Ontario, Canada, includes both of the Rievaulx Blossom motifs, using crayon tinting, embroidery and beading. From South Africa comes Sapna Sood's "Simplicity of White." The deadline is April 15th for receipt of photos or actual pieces. We can't wait to see more of your interpretations! To learn more about our current challenge click here.
The next Challenge for 2017 will be announced on May 1, with a deadline of August 15. We promise, it's going to bring out your wild side!
Hand & Lock Classes this October
Hand & Lock is coming! We are so pleased to announce that Hand & Lock will be running classes at SNAD this fall. Hand & Lock, founded in 1767, creates embroidery for a wide range of niche markets from Civilian and Military Regalia to Ecclesiastical and Couture, specializing in bespoke, individually crafted embroidery.
As a nonprofit, SNAD looks to the community to support our mission. Recent in-kind corporate donations include a Baby Lock sewing machine from San Francisco's own Serge A Lot as well as 12 Stella EDGE LED table clamp lamps for our classrooms from Stella Lighting, so that our students may illuminate their work in warm, natural or cool white light.
During a photo shoot for an upcoming article on SNAD by EGA's Needle Arts magazine, Linda Kilgore checks out the tri-spectrum technology of a Stella EDGE lamp. Also pictured, photographer Anastasiia Sapon and Gillian Walsworth.
In addition, Art and Remembrance provided a copy of Memories of Survival, featuring Esther Nisenthal Krinitz's embroidered memories of living through the Holocast in Poland. The colorful and moving book was first recommended to us by a visitor to SNAD. As Madison noted above, sometimes it takes stitches to tell one's story.
Inspired by a hymnal cover made in Transylvania, Romania, in the ’60s, create a decorative floral pattern, embroider it on linen, and stitch the pieces together to protect a special book, journal, or day calendar.
Upcoming Events
White on White: Hand stitching through time, Exploring the evolution of monochromatic needlework from 16th century examples to work being done today
Until June 24 at The Lace Museum of Sunnyvale, in collaboration with San Francisco School of Needlework & Design. See pieces from our textile collection as well as some of our own work represented in the exhibit.
Stitch Retreat - April 3-7
For more information and to register, click here.
Talliaferro Challenge Exhibition
See entries from the current Challenge on exhibition at SNAD, May 1- 31, 360 Post Street, Suite 604, San Francisco, Mon-Sat, 9:30-4:00. Opening party, Sat, May 6, 11:00-4:30.
Whitework Butterfly Class - May 20, 10am-4pm at The Lace Museum of Sunnyvale. This class is being taught by Lucy Barter in conjunction with the White on White exhibition.
Embroidery Classes at Filoli. Did you know we teach classes at Filoli? See the full list of embroidery classes here.
