Crewel Embroidery c. 1936

This crewel embroidery was made by Ella Josephine Sterling. It’s a long, thin artwork, a border, really, with a floral design in pinks, greens, and yellows. I’m thinking about the act of embroidery and the slow, deliberate work it involves. You pick up a needle and thread, then you have to choose the colors and plan the design. It's kind of like painting, only with thread! I can imagine Ella carefully stitching each flower and leaf, watching the design gradually emerge. It's got a folksy charm, and the colors give it a soft, vintage feel. What I love about embroidery is its connection to craft and domestic life. It's a way of making something beautiful and useful at the same time, turning humble materials into something special. You get a sense of the artist's touch and personality in every stitch. You know? It reminds me how we, as artists, are all in conversation with each other, building upon the work of those who came before us.