look for roundy-bottomed tough ruffles zipper purses in five new shades in the shop this evening.

stitched illustrations

*please do not copy

i am up to my eyeballs in sewing handbags right now, but i wanted to say a quick hello and let you know about something that is a little bit exciting. a very kind woman named stephanie who is a member of the Crafts Department at Martha Stewart Living contacted me about a post she wanted to write about stitched drawings.

ever since my original website, madebyhank.net died (RIP), i have been meaning to set something up that could be an online gallery of sorts for both bags i have made in the past, as well as the stitched drawings i have made over the past few years. i admit that i have been slightly hesitant to share this work on the internet, because as much as this world has enabled me to support myself doing what i love most, it is also a bit of a haven for copycat-ing, both intentional and otherwise. also, it is difficult to understand what these stitched illustrations that i make are, and how much goes into them. i am often asked what type of embroidery machine i use, etc, but that is not the case at all. they are manually sewn using a sewing machine, if that makes sense. i use a machine, but with a very basic straight stitch and because they are so intricate and some of the lines are so teeny tiny, i barely use the presser foot at all, and mostly turn the flywheel by hand. the colored parts are made in the same way, with a basic straight stitch, back and forth, back and forth until my eyes feel like they just might fall out of my head.

each piece is an original, one of a kind creations, so please be respectful and do not copy. all of the pieces i have made so far are sold, and have already gone to their new homes, but i am working on three new pieces for the second part of the fibers biennial at the snyderman gallery for june, and will share those when they are complete.

if you would like to take a look at the post about stitched drawings, you can find it here.

and i did set up a blog as a way for you to see some of the work i have made in the past. you can find it here.

troubles

" it wouldn't be an update without a handful of technical difficulties!" -- elly.

truer words were never spoken.

my apologies for today's delayed update. the internet refused to cooperate with me. just straightened everything out, and the bags are in the shop.