Biography and References
So… how did I get interested in needlework?
Well, I’ve been stitching most of my life. I love working with my hands and creating something beautiful – beautiful in its usefulness, its creation, and its final appearance.
My early years were spent making clothes by hand for my bear – he still wears the tuxedo I made out of scraps of ribbon and satin – and clothes for me. When I was about 10 years old, my mother gritted her teeth and let me wear a dress to school I made entirely by hand (I wasn’t allowed to use the sewing machine) from fabric I found in an old trunk in the attic. The trunk belonged to the previous owners of the house and was full of – to me – treasures. No one laughed so I guess it came out all right. My mother had an extensive collection of beautiful table linens which were used as a matter of course, not hidden in the depths of a closet or hung on a wall like some museum piece. I simply learned to be careful – and how to get stains out!
My mother was not an embroiderer so I don’t really know why it’s become such a passion. I went to a convent school in my early teens where part of the curriculum was, of course, needlework. There I learned the basics. But I guess it was really my sister who inspired me to stitch. She stitched special things for her fiancé. I particularly remember a stadium blanket with the Yale bulldog snarling in a corner. Eventually she spent hours each day watching over her growing brood of boys amid mounds of Paternaya tapestry yarn stitching on great big pieces of canvas – not a chart in sight – making covers for window seat cushions and other things. I spent my summers at the seashore and eventually was inspired by the weather and a magazine to pick up needle and floss to fill stormy days. The first piece is still in my UFO box. Maybe someday I’ll finish it. It’s a wonderful ripening pumpkin. But now I’m spoiled and prefer linen to Aida.
I really started embroidering in the 70’s, most probably influenced by the explosion of colors and designs. Remember Marimekko? I love finding embroidery books from that era and have quite a collection. The designs are so very vibrant! I was determined to do something useful while I was pregnant with my first daughter, Amy. Unfortunately nothing survives from the mountain of warming blankets, bath towels, bibs, and clothing I made for her, much of it embroidered. Her sister, Maya, wasn’t as fortunate. Life wasn’t one long, lazy day after another when I was pregnant with her so her baby trousseau was meager but it, too, was embroidered and used up or given to others so nothing remains. I don’t regret the loss of those things. I made them to use and enjoyed it every time I took out a bib I had embroidered.
When my ladies were old enough to be Girl Scouts I was recruited to be a troop leader. One of the delights of that experience was helping the girls earn their embroidery merit badges. Both my ladies are embroiderers and one is beginning to teach.
In the mid 80’s my sister dragged me to a meeting of the local chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America (EGA) – yes, dragged me because I couldn’t imagine that I could stitch well enough to participate. I mean, the Embroiderer’s Guild was somehow affiliated with the Royal School of Needlework, wasn’t it? Only expert stitchers could apply. Isn’t this a common misconception? Instead I found a wonderfully welcoming group of ladies of all types and skills. And my passion bloomed… It wasn’t long before I was pulled into helping with the program offerings. Soon the chapter ladies started asking me to teach this technique or that design. I look back on my bookshelves and in my files and am astounded with the variety of pieces I helped develop or developed on my own and taught.
My credentials:
I am currently a member of four different EGA chapters and one ANG chapter and have held the positions of president, program chair, and newsletter editor for a variety of terms. I get to as many meetings each month as well as regional and national seminars/workshops as time and resources allow. I was also a member of the Historic Needlework Guild.
Unlike many designer/teachers I have no formal needlework or art training. I have taken numerous classes with nationally or regionally renowned teachers from EGA and the American Needlework Guild and drawing and painting classes as well. I suppose my engineering background helps me solve some of the design issues that come up. I simply love stitching. I love learning about old types of needlework, learning how to execute them, developing designs and pieces to feature these quasi-lost techniques. Most of all, I love sharing what I’ve learned with others through teaching. Take a look at the Gallery pages. One contains photos of embroidery pieces I have completed that were designed by others; the other contains photos of other forms of artwork I have completed.
My philosophy:
Very simply, I want to share what I’ve learned with you. Some of what you’ll find is pretty traditional, some may be completely new. I would be delighted to come and teach your group one of my projects and I’m developing new projects all the time. Or, if you have a particular interest, I would be happy to develop a piece for your group to enjoy, let’s discuss the possibilities. I hope that you will enjoy your visit. Do drop me a line if you have any questions or comments.
Happy stitching,
Hanka Robertson