One of the online forums that I participate in was recently discussing whether people design their own embroidery or use other people’s designs. Many people were saying that they like to design their own – including me.
Then, one member posted that she did not have a creative bone in her body and she was grateful that designers produce designs (especially kitted ones) as it means that she is able to do embroidery.
I responded:
Clapping and cheering! We love people like you, [person’s name] and are glad that you are part of the stitching community too! 🙂
Two people then responded that they had never though of it like that. Well, actually, neither had I!
But it is true that having other people who enjoy stitching my designs is lovely. I am pleased that I can create designs for people to use, who wouldn’t otherwise feel that they could do any embroidery at all.
Sometimes, I feel that I have rather an esoteric and unimportant career – writing embroidery books and teaching people how to do embroidery. I mean, in the scheme of things, it seems rather superfluous, when compared to teachers, nurses, garbage collectors etc.
But then people remind me how much joy embroidery brings to their lives, and that without people to teach embroidery, it is a skill that would eventually die out. This warms my heart, and makes me feel that what I do isn’t a silly waste of time, compared to so called “important” jobs.
And as it happens, I love what I do. 🙂 I can’t think of anything else that I would rather be doing, apart perhaps from cartography, but that is a topic for another day…!
White Threads is the blog of Yvette Stanton, the author, designer, publisher behind Vetty Creations' quality needlework books and embroidery products.
Regarding who buys others’ designs, although I like to design I also like to buy others’ designs to learn new techniques or to use as inspiration and a jumping-off point to do my own thing.
Hi Janice, that’s also a great reason for buying others’ designs. 🙂
Re ‘unimportant career’ you need to go back and read the Griffiths Natty Knitters interview where the lady says that Craft crosses barriers and brings people together. Which we desperately need in today’s world.
Yes, that’s very true. Thanks for pointing it out. 🙂
One of the ladies involved in producing the new kits from my designs has pointed out that many of us who design our own work started out working kits, and only started designing four ourselves when we got the confidence or the inspiration to do so.
The books you write provide either an intermediate point between kits and designing for oneself, or a reference work to support the designing and planning. Both are vital!
I’m the one who made the comment about not having a creative bone in my body! I love the fact that you appreciate people like me who love to buy kits. Once I had to “design” my initial for an embroidery project and my brain actually hurt! I put the word “design” in quotes because I actually had all of the design elements, I just had to put them together to make my initial. I’ll put it on my blog eventually and you can get a chuckle from my agony.
But thanks to all of you creative ones. You do the creating, and I’ll buy and produce the products.
Hi Cynthia, Thanks for stopping by! I am happy for you to keep buying others’ designs, but I just cannot believe you have NO creative bone in your body… Even a tiny one in your foot?
Now, “mum” speaking here: most people aren’t good at things when they first start out. It takes time and practice. But keep trying! 😉
Back to normal me: Tell me, can you cook? Can you write nice messages on greeting cards? Can you dance? Can you put clothes together in great combinations? All these things are examples of creativity. Surely there’s one thing you can do that is creative? 😀