Stationery-Core has officially taken hold, as I pointed out in my most recent Stationery Trends editor’s letter, but it is really just a small part of a larger slow living offline movement. So, while people born in the digital age are rediscovering the wonders of card-sending and letter-writing as if they were just invented, other age-old domestic arts are receiving similar attention.
Personally, I was taught to needlepoint around the age of six by my grandmother, a prolific knitter, seamstress, cook, hostess and all-around domestic goddess, like so many in her generation. While my stitches were always too sloppy for her refined tastes — and my left-handedness frustrated her to no end for some reason — in my 20s I pushed my insecurities aside and picked it up again. There is something eternally soothing and calming to be found in stitching, to say nothing of the appreciation and pride that arises from a creating a gorgeous project all on one’s own.
So, as stationery finally gets its due, it’s inspiring to see makers like Debbie Hodge of StitchedStories.com thrive, building little mindful creative communities of their own. Debbie describes her marvelous kits as “fueling the storyteller in you,” and sees a healthy cross-section between stationery and stitching.
“I admire the creativity and craftsmanship behind illustration and paper stationery, and I think there’s a natural overlap between these forms of art and embroidery,” she wrote me. “Both require a thoughtful approach to design. When I develop embroidery patterns, I often think of them as illustrated works that come to life through stitching. Just like in paper art, there’s a joy in seeing a design unfold, whether it’s through drawing or stitching.”
Clearly this is a most intriguing intersection, and Debbie kindly took more questions from me.
SS: You’re clearly a prolific creative. You have sewn, embroidered, written fiction, scrapbooked, designed websites, written a scrapbooking how-to book and founded two online education businesses, getitscrapped.com and teachwhatyoudo.com. When you decided to start creating embroidery kits, what holes did you want to fill that you were not seeing?
DH: I was looking for embroidery projects that used a variety of classic hand embroidery stitches, like lazy daisy, chain, stem, back, and fly.
I did not want to do projects that had motifs primarily filled in with satin stitch or long-and-short stitch or a big mass of French knots. I also wanted to avoid advanced techniques like stumpwork or thread painting. One more thing I didn’t want was more floral bouquets to stitch.
The projects I was looking for could be stitched with a hand-held hoop (versus a stand) and worked while doing something else — watching TV, chatting with family, in the car waiting for an appointment.
Additionally, I wanted projects that took several days or even two or three weeks to finish. The first kits I purchased could be finished up in a few hours, and that was too short. On the other hand, I did not want something that would be a year-long project.
Stitched Stories kits and patterns check all these boxes: They focus on classic, approachable stitches that are easy to learn but still engaging. They’re designed to be portable, making them perfect for on-the-go stitching. And, they feature timeless themes, all presented in a folk art-inspired style that feels both familiar and fresh.
SS: What inspires you in creating designs?
DH: I’m inspired by designs that can be brought to life with a range of classic stitches. I tend to gravitate toward subjects that are broad and versatile rather than niche. Buildings, landscapes, themed collages, and folk-art inspired animals are all themes that spark my creativity.
SS: Can you share a few bestsellers?
DH: Our customers love these designs: Country Garden Collection; Moths; Honeybee Sampler;
Start with Coffee; and Christmas Pines.
SS: Culturally speaking, what do you think is behind the interest in embroidery?
DH: Even before the pandemic, fiber arts like knitting and crochet were on the rise. Once we were all confined to our homes, handwork and fiber crafts became even more popular, aligning with the cottagecore trend of the early 2020s — where people embraced activities like foraging, baking sourdough, and wearing relaxed, vintage-inspired clothing.
Along with these cultural trends, people became more attuned to the benefits of mindful, hands-on creation. Embroidery, with its soothing, focused nature, fits perfectly into this shift. It doesn’t require a lot of supplies, and its portability makes it ideal for vacations or simple outings, allowing people to bring a creative practice wherever they go.
SS: I love that you have updated traditional samplers with fresh new takes! What kind of feedback do you hear from your customers?
DH: My customers really enjoy the experience of embroidering a Stitched Stories design. Like me, they appreciate the balanced level of difficulty, the time commitment, and the variety of stitches that come together for a final appealing project.
They also like the production details in our kits — everything from the design being pre-printed in color on quality fabric to the heavy cardstock stitching guide, top-brand floss and needles, and the convenient tin that holds it all. Many of our customers actually learn embroidery through our kits, which is something I’m especially proud of.
SS: Do you think your customers also enjoy snail mail? Why or why not?
DH: If my customers are anything like me, then definitely yes! I love buying stationery and cards with timeless designs. For a while, I had gotten into the habit of sending digital gift cards to my nieces and nephews, but recently, I’ve returned to sending checks in actual beautiful cards through the mail. I also make it a point to carefully select and write cards for my sons, their wives, and my husband for birthdays.
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Thank you Debbie for taking this nerd’s questions and providing a behind-the-scenes peek into your artistry. Suddenly my life feels empty without one of your kits. If you’re feeling the same, start your shop here — I’ll be browsing the Beginner’s Section!
