Question 1

I've seen these.. but what are they called?

Accepted Answer

Good question! There's a wide range of terms for what I create: Hand embroidery, hoop art, needlepoint, needle art; and getting a little less technical we can refer to these pieces as subversive wall art, wall decor, fabric wall art.

A few terms these are not: cross stitch (source)(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-stitch), petit point or tent stitch (source)(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tent_stitch),  and while this should go without saying, let's hop on in and say it: this isn't crochet, macramé or knitting, as I've heard it called before. Those processes take a different kinda patience!

Question 2

You make everything by hand? Isn't it easier to do it by machine?

Accepted Answer

100% of my work is stitched by hand. Machine embroidery may take less time, but the result just isn't aesthetically what I'm going for! I like to hold on tight to these timeless techniques, and know they'll last happily on your walls for years to come.

Question 3

Where are your materials from?

Accepted Answer

Fabrics are sourced from thrift shops, yard sales, bolt ends from local fabric shops, swaps/fairly traded with fellow makers. Fabric is hand washed and ironed. Each and every piece is backed with vegan-friendly felt made from 100% recycled plastic bottles in Quebec, Canada. Adhesive is vegan friendly, meaning no gelatin.(https://allplants.com/blog/lifestyle/is-all-glue-vegan-friendly)

Question 4

Do you make custom orders?

Accepted Answer

I sure do! Drop me a line here,(https://www.realswanky.ca/contact) and get's take care of it. ya like cussin’? self-care? plant lady.. or maybe you’re more of a plant killer. got an inside joke that’s just too good? everyone can get a piece of the pie, here. inclusivity and allyship is key! no hateful, oppression-driven pieces will ever be considered. (be better than that.)

Question 5

Can you recreate an old piece of yours for me?

Accepted Answer

Of course! So long as I have the fabric and embroidery floss. Because everything's so kindly sourced, it can be tricky to keep a standard inventory. Sometimes, I get a strange 1/4 yard of vintage, other times, that folded up fabric scrap was a lot more generous than let on. I have a huge array of unique, rad fabric, and would be glad to send you photos in natural daylight to see what we can come up with!

Check out past projects HERE,(https://heyzine.com/flip-book/f36bb3ce53.html) draw inspiration from past needlepoint projects, and let's get some subversive wall decor out the door to ya!

Question 6

Can you embroider my towels, blankets, or pillows?

Accepted Answer

Embroidering linens by hand can be pretty tricky - the key is to get an incredibly tight stitch with single line thread to ensure it's machine washable, and doesn't buckle. Hand embroidery lays best, taute, in a wooden hoop.

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