Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Thompson.
Sara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born a “Maker”. I have always loved working with my hands and learning as many skills as possible. I was a Hair Stylist by trade for over 20 years, and in my free time I would take classes learning other skills or simply try things out on my own. I took welding classes in my 20’s, I moved on to jewelry making in my 30’s, and I have spent the last 10 years honing in my chainstitch skills and style.
As a Hair Stylist I was taught to think of cutting hair as architecture. Creating strong shapes, aka “foundations” with sharp lines and soft details to give each individual a style just for them. I use these rules in creating designs to chainstitch into fabric as well. When you look at my work you can see strong geometric shapes like triangular mountains, circular suns, and rectangular clouds along side details with softer edges and textures such as desert plants, birds, and wildflowers. Living in Texas for 26 years and loving the landscapes of the Southwest has definitely been a huge influence over my Chainstitch subject matter, but I do consider my work and style ever evolving.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been a smooth road? Personally as an artist I don’t think creating is ever smooth or easy. Trying to hone in my style, my ideas, my design technique while creating something that people see and want to put in their home is a hard place to locate. Learning how to use a chainstitch machine was the easy part in the grand scheme of things. It’s just a tool. The hard part is creating something to put out into the world in hope that people love it. It’s the vulnerability that is hard.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I believe what sets me apart from other chainstitchers is my design style and the different mediums that I have worked in. Traditionally chainstitch has been used to embroider clothing, but I have taken it farther than that. I embroider garments as well as pillows and canvas or leather to create wall art. I am always pushing myself to expand in any way that I can. For example, I recently refinished and re-upholstered a mid century modern chair and chainstitched the upholstery fabric, which was a a a new challenge re-finishing furniture and upholstery.
Any big plans?
My wife, tripod dog, and I are actually in the process of selling our home and moving to Palm Springs, CA. We love the desert and have been wanting to move to California for a few years, and it is finally happening. I believe this move will bring great opportunity for me and force me to expand as an artist. Palm Springs is the midcentury modern mecca and I feel very excited to immerse myself into the art scene there. I can’t wait to see how I expand and grow creatively.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.circa1975chainstitch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/circa1975chainstitch
Image Credits
Lisa Hause Photography
