Every once in a while, I come across an embroidery journal that is so eye catching that I just can’t look away. I feel the need to take in the individual icons for what they are. Watching as Sue Owen’s embroidery journal fill up over the course of 2024 has been an absolute pleasure. I absolutely adore how detailed her small icons are; you can just tell how passionate she is about her life and embroidery journal.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I retired in 2019 and now that I have more spare time I enjoy all trying sorts of art and craft activities. Lockdown got me started with some of these – my attention was brought to what workshops were available online and this led me to explore further.
As well as painting with soft pastels I enjoy several crafts on a regular basis, including wet and needle felting. I love making pictures with this media and enjoy adding further detail with embroidery, beads, etc. I’ve tried my hand at other textile crafts, including cross-stitch and creative embroidery. The embroidery stitches that I’ve learned are mostly self-taught from online workshops and video tutorials.
I also keep a written journal, which includes sketches and collages of bits and pieces that I collect when I’m visiting somewhere. My husband and I enjoy travelling, whether in our own country or overseas, and love to visit old houses and gardens, and just to places that are scenic. We have a yellow Morgan car that adds another dimension to our adventures, although the lack of a boot does limit what I can take away in terms of crafting on holiday!
How did you learn how to embroider?
I learned a few basic stitches many years ago at school. Other stitches I’ve learned from kits and workshops, mostly online but a few face-to-face. I have taught myself some stitches and continue to do so – YouTube is really helpful for this!
What has been the most challenging aspect of creating this project for you?
I’ve never made an embroidery journal before and wasn’t sure how to approach it – what size hoop, what type of fabric background, etc. Some online friends had already bought some pre-printed fabric for this purpose and when I saw it, it really inspired me to buy some and get started.
What have been some of your favourite icons that you’ve embroidered this year?
One of the first images that I stitched was the basket toboggan in which we had a ride down a steep road in Madeira. I had the idea of weaving the threads to create the basketwork effect.
I’ve also enjoyed adding images with a bit of texture or third dimension to them, such as the tiny journal made from a scrap of fabric, and the Dorset button that I made using a tiny metal ring as its base.
I love to incorporate metallic threads into some images and see how this can enhance them – for example my magpie.
Each month I stitch a couple of flowers that bloom at that time, and a bird that I’ve spotted either in the garden or out and about.
What advice do you have for someone wanting to create an embroidery journal?
Decide from the outset whether you wish to (and can commit to) stitching one image a day. I know myself and how I operate so I knew that I probably wouldn’t enjoy the pressure of this. So I set out to record a month rather than around 30 days, if that makes sense. I end up with an average of around one image per two days.
When selecting the size hoop (if that’s what you’re planning to use) first hold a couple of likely sizes in your hand. For me, a 10” hoop felt more comfortable to hold than a 12” hoop. That said, the images that I stitch use up all of the available space!
As regards the fabric, you’ll find that a tightly-woven cotton will be easier to use. I ironed a thin interfacing onto the reverse of mine. Not only does that help it stay in the hoop better, it also adds some strength to the fabric. I use so many stitches for each image that I need something forgiving!
Think of a practical way to store your working threads. I use so many different colours that I always have lots of threads left over from where I’ve split off one or two strands. So I store those lengths over a wooden book stand, which sits on my desk. It acts like an artist’s palette!
The rest of the regular embroidery threads I wind onto flat bobbins and store in a plastic box. As you’ll see from the photo, I keep the metallic/neon/variegated threads in separate containers. I have a selection of needles to choose from, according to what thread I’m using.
Is this your first embroidery journal?
Yes it’s the first time I’ve heard of such a project or tried it!
How do you go about spacing out your icons?
Ha ha! I’m possibly not the best person to ask about spacing as there isn’t much space between my images! In fact many of them butt up next to another or even overlap. But what I can say is that this is planned. I will often use my iPad and iPad pencil to sketch out images onto a photo I’ve taken of my embroidery journal. In that way I can try out ideas and even move them around until I’m happy with the placement. In a way it’s a bit like doing a jigsaw or making a quilt – you can see which shapes fit best into the spaces next to others.
I then sketch the image outlines freehand on the fabric using a heat-erasable Pilot Frixon pen. To do this I remove the fabric from the hoop and lay it flat on my desk so I have enough ‘traction’ to draw on it, before I return it to the hoop to stitch. This process works so well for me – after I’ve added the embroidery I can remove the pen marks in seconds by wafting a hairdryer over them.
How have you managed to stay motivated throughout the year?
I take loads of photos with my iPhone anyway. So for me stitching some of my favourites is an outlet as well as a creative way to record my life. As each month progresses and my stitching has improved, I’ve gained more confidence and come up with new ideas – this keeps me motivated. Of course being able to share them in the Embroidery Journaling Facebook group and get feedback is also very encouraging. Similarly I love to see what others have shared in that group – it’s brilliant that people can start with the same materials and end up with something so different!
Do you have a way of tracking your icons?
I list my ideas as they occur to me in the Notes section of my iPad each month – not all of them ‘make the cut’ so I delete those that haven’t and those that remain give me a reference for the stitched images. I also keep a photo album dedicated to my embroidery journal, in which I store progress photos and also the photos that inspire each image. At the end of each month I make a photo collage of all of the original photos, so that it could 7be viewed next to the journal.
What have you learned from starting an embroidery journal?
I’ve learned that you can never have too many colours of thread! Also that an image that you’re not entirely happy with will often look better once it’s surrounded by others. It has also helped me to reflect on my life and what I find important to me – it isn’t always the ‘big’ things.
Although my desk set-up looks messy it does mean that if I want to sit down for a short time and stitch I have some threads already cut from which to select and sew! I keep my hoop inside a cotton draw-string bag, which keeps it pretty clean.
What do you plan to do with your embroidery journal once you’ve finished it?
I have already bought a hand-made circular wooden frame, into which the complete hoop and fabric will fit and be fixed into place. I will display it proudly in our house!
Where can we find you online?
Sue can be found sharing photos of her embroidery journal on Facebook in the Embroidery Journaling and Craft Your Way to Happiness groups.
If you enjoyed Sue’s interview, look out for additional A Stitch a Day interviews coming your way!
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