Interview with Berdien about punch needles
Let Me Introduce Myself
Hi! I’m Berdien, 35 years old, married, and the mother of two tough little boys. My creative mind is never really at rest—I’m always busy designing and creating things. I love designing and drawing, but I’m also a big fan of crafts. I first tried my hand at crocheting, but I always lost count. Back when the boys were still little, I started countless projects but never finished a single one. Until I discovered punch needle—what a delight! I can design and create. You can set it aside and pick it up again later. I enjoyed it so much that in 2021 I started Lille I Nord (Danish for “Small in the North”). You can find my work in a number of online shops, and I’ve even taught workshops. You could definitely say that this form of crafting has changed my life.
What spring project do you have planned?
I don’t have any major spring projects planned, but I have sketched out a few easy-to-make crafts. Ladybugs are waking up from hibernation again, so I couldn’t leave them out. I chose a pink background, and together with the red and orange of the ladybug, it’s turned out to be a really beautiful and fresh combination. Flowers also keep popping into my head. For example, daisies are popping up a lot in fashion right now, so I think that would be really fun to make this spring.
What spring colors do you like?
For the letters I create, I often combine fresh pastel shades, which I feel go well with Easter. I expect to continue doing that. However, I’m going to use some more colorful backgrounds, such as powder pink, ochre yellow, and mint. Those colors also pair beautifully with Lilac, for example.
What's your favorite material to work with in the spring?
I tend to stick with the same materials. With punch needle embroidery, it’s important that the balance between the needle, the yarn, and the fabric you’re working on is always just right. Changing the fabric or yarn can throw that balance off, and that’s frustrating. For example, the yarn might not hold its place. Since I started punch needle embroidery, I’ve discovered a few favorite combinations for fine and coarse fabrics, and I stick with those.
What technique would you like to learn this season?
Two years ago, I had the ambition to make a wall hanging; I bought a Smyrna needle and some fabric, but it’s still sitting in the attic… Once the garden is ready for spring and summer again, I think it would be fun to make a wall hanging using latch hooking. Embroidery is also new to me and goes pretty well with punch needle, so I think I’ll try combining the two.
What's your ultimate crafting tip for our followers?
Keep at it! You can do it! I’m incredibly hard on myself—I can’t even count how many times I’ve taken a project apart, thrown it away, and regretted it afterward. I clearly needed to grow and find my own path, and you’ll find yours, too! There’s a craft technique out there for everyone that’s just right for you. Trust yourself and explore.
Want to try this technique yourself? Shop for some handy tools & supplies below:
Interview with Joy-Alice about embroidering
Let Me Introduce Myself
Hi! My name is Joy-Alice, the face behind @bordurenmet.joy. I’ve loved being creative my whole life. And in October 2021, I decided to really dive into it. I work four days a week as an employee, but in my free time, I love to embroider. I’ve already had the chance to create many beautiful pieces of art. I like to embroider on the weekends, especially during the day, sitting comfortably at the dining table and preferably in the sunshine. I do a little dance every time I get a fun commission! And it’s really true… embroidering = relaxation!
What spring project do you have planned?
The funny thing is, I actually don’t have any embroidery hanging in my home yet! So I’m going to get started on that soon. I think it’ll be something with pretty flowers and leaves, and maybe a nice quote to go with it. I have a green wall in the living room with ochre-yellow accessories, so it’ll match perfectly. Of course, I’ll share it on my Instagram! So be sure to keep an eye on my page.
What spring colors do you like?
Personally, I really love rust, ochre, and pastel colors. I’m sure you’ll see these colors reflected in my embroidery as well. I love putting together color schemes for the commissions I receive. Of course, this is always done in consultation with the customer. First, we choose a fabric color together, and then we see which yarn colors go well with it.
What's your favorite material to work with in the spring?
Now that we’re heading into summer and are right in the middle of spring, I’m more likely to choose brighter colors than usual. Since I embroider a lot of flowers, they look much nicer on brightly colored fabrics. The fabric I often choose is 100% Cotton. I find this a very pleasant fabric to embroider on, and it stretches very tightly in the hoop.
What technique would you like to learn this season?
Most people who embroider use the cross-stitch. I’ve chosen not to do that, because that style doesn’t suit me. That’s why I do free-style embroidery! I start by sketching a design on the fabric and then get to work! Personally, I think that’s much trendier and more modern. Something I’d really love to learn is how to apply this technique to baby blankets and stuffed animals. Or baby socks, for example… That would be so cute!
What's your ultimate crafting tip for our followers?
If I may offer you a tip for embroidery, it’s best to embroider on a double layer of fabric! And iron the fabric beforehand. When I first started embroidering, I used to do it on a single layer of fabric, but you could see all the threads showing through. The result looks much nicer when you embroider on double-layered fabrics. It’s also a good idea to add a small piece of felt to the back for a neat finish.
Want to try this technique yourself? Shop for some handy tools & supplies below:
Interview with Evelien about weaving
Let Me Introduce Myself
I'm Evelien, from Atelier E. Although as a child I naturally loved nothing more than creating, filling pages with writing, and playing outside, I gradually lost that sense of wonder as an adult. I was always busy, busy, busy; I worried a lot, had trouble relaxing, and slept poorly.
I tried to get back into creative pursuits every now and then and signed up for classes at the local art school, but in the end, I kept dropping out because I was so busy. I kept pushing myself too hard and ended up with burnout and depression. That’s when I decided to completely change course. I started weaving, embroidering, and journaling again…
Creativity is no longer just a nice bonus for when I have time. It’s a basic need for me, one that I cherish. Being creative brings me simplicity, energy, balance, and opportunities for self-expression. In September 2020, I decided to start my own creative business: Atelier E. Through it, I share my passion for “creative slowing down” via workshops, events, and online courses.
What spring project do you have planned?
I live in Sint-Truiden, in the heart of Haspengouw: the Flemish fruit-growing region. And as is customary here, I’m incredibly proud of my region. Especially at this time of year, because little by little, everything here is literally coming to life. It’s blossom season! Every year, I eagerly look forward to this time of wonder, slowing down, and enjoying the moment…
Ideally, I’d love to spend time in nature every day and find peace there while working on a creative project. I also enjoy sharing that joy of blossoms with others, and in mid-April I’m organizing a “Creative Journey” among the blossoms. Walking and embroidering together in nature—it’s wonderful! I also have a big project in the works: I’m making a woven tapestry that’s a whopping 1 meter 50 wide.
What spring colors do you like?
In the winter, I deliberately choose brighter colors, such as yellow, orange, and ochre—anything that brings light. In the spring, I prefer something a bit gentler and softer, just like nature itself: a quiet start. Then I spontaneously opt for soft greens and yellows, as well as neutrals like beige, white, and sandy tones.
What's your favorite material to work with in the spring?
I have a soft spot for wool in general, which you can see in my work—and in my home, haha. I love working with my little looms and tools, which, by the way, my dad makes himself out of wood that would otherwise be thrown away. I try to find out as much as I can about the story behind my materials, and I prefer to work with Merino Wool or yarn that has a lovely texture.
What technique would you like to learn this season?
This spring, I want to delve deeper into the process of authentic weaving on a loom. I’m currently weaving on a simple handloom, but I recently picked up a loom at a thrift store.
What's your ultimate crafting tip for our followers?
Believe in your abilities. Enjoy the process. Experiment and let go. During the creative workshops I organize, I often see participants setting the bar too high because they want to do it perfectly right away. Perfectionism rears its head and disrupts creative peace. Yet creativity is accessible to everyone. I often hear people say, “I’m not creative,” when creativity is really just an activity: “You aren’t creative—you do it.” To put it in weaving terms: “be-weave in yourself.”
Want to try this technique yourself? Shop for some handy tools & supplies below:
Would you like to read the first part of this series? Click here.
