Stefanija Pejchinovska is an embroidery artist originally from Macedonia. She’s been stitching for over 20 years and runs workshops in Berlin where she’s currently living.
How did you get into embroidery?
While I was growing up I was hanging out a lot with my grandmothers, they were lovely crafty ladies. I bonded mostly with my grandmother Milica, who was one of those magical grandmothers. She always had the best advice, cured everything with natural medicine and continuously surprised me with her creativity and bold colors she was using in her work. She taught me many crafts, but not embroidery, I was just watching her while doing it. I guess it stuck with me because at the very first moment I felt the need to express myself through creating something with my hands in my early teenage years, I started embroidering and never stopped.
What are your favourite stitches and why?
I don’t use a lot of stitches, mostly I use the six basic ones and they are all my favourites: back, split, stem, chain, French knot and satin. Each one of them makes different motives special. Maybe I use some other ones, but I am not aware of their names. I learned mostly the stitches because I needed a starting point for my workshops, before that I was just embroidering using my intuition.
What stitches would you like to learn?
Whenever I need to imitate a surface of texture I always Google and find a compatible stitch. The last one I learned and used was the Turkish stitch, but that was only once and now I can’t remember how to do it. Currently I am more into embroidering with combining as many colours as possible to fill up a surface rather than exploring stitches.
What other textiles would you like to explore?
I would love to devote more time on textile collages from upcycled fabrics. Weaving is also interesting for me, I started making weavings from used non-biodegradable plastic bags and I would like to explore more of that method. Mostly I am interested in sustainability. Nature before design and fashion. I don’t think that any design in the time that we live in should be acceptable if it’s not sustainable. We’ve done enough harm to the planet, it’s time to stop and think a bit.
What kinds of images or drawings do you like stitching and why?
I like to stitch everything that comes to mind and inspires me that day. I don’t have a previous drawing before I start working on the fabric. I have some idea in my head and I draw basic lines directly on the clothing and then fill it up with stitches. Sometimes I make mistakes, sometimes the fabric has a small stain or little hole (if it’s upcycled) that has some shape. That leads me to something new and unexpected. And that’s how my designs develop.
Where do you buy your materials, thread and equipment from?
Most of the threads I have are from old Yugoslavian factories like Ljubica. They are so vintage and precious. I still have leftovers of them from my grandmothers and I buy some from the markets when I go to my home to Macedonia. Sometimes I buy Anchor from Berlin and I order DMC online. Wooden hoops and needles I buy online or at local stores. The sustainable clothing I embroider is made by local Berlin designers. Mostly I collaborate with Corvera Vargas.
How do feel about sharing your work on Instagram?
Well, sometimes Instagram is too overwhelming for me and I need to rest from it and the internet. In those moments I don’t feel like sharing my work or the progress of my embroideries, so I don’t post for a while. But most of the time I think that Instagram is an amazing platform because it speaks visually, there is no need of long posts and essays. If you want to make a living from what you love, you have to share that so people know about you and appreciate you. Instagram is the network where many creative people around the world fInd their audience. It gives a different perspective to many artists, makers, designers so they find courage to leave their day job and start working for themselves.
What other ways do you promote your work?
Sometimes I post on Facebook too, but that’s mostly for workshops. Occasionally I also participate in pop up stores, markets and designer shops in Berlin. You can also find some of my work and also me working at my new studio and workshop space on Reuterstrasse 62, in Neukoelln.
Do you ever get worried about people copying your designs?
Well, I am not a fan of copies, but I am not really worried because hand embroidery is quite a delicate craft and everybody embroiders differently. It’s like handwriting. I’ve learned that during my workshops, if 10 people are working on the same design, there are 10 different results at the end. Besides that designs can be copied, but not creativity.
I do mind if people copy my design and expect credits for it. The supporters of copies tried to convince me that they need other people’s designs for practicing their skills and I should be happy they choose mine to copy. Well they are designs, not patterns. I know how much time it takes for everything to be like it is, and also I understand that copying is the easy way. So I decided I will never support copies. Instead I want to inspire people to find their own way to release their creative spirit. There is a special place for each one of us on the planet and we will find it only by following our true self.
Who are some of your favourite embroidery artists to follow?
Irem Yazici, Britt Hutchinson, Lisa Smirnova, Adipocere and Adriana Torres.
Lastly, what do you love about embroidery?
I just love everything about embroidery. I’ve been embroidering for almost 20 years and since the start I always feel in complete alignment while doing it. I love that you can make as many mistakes as you want and in two minutes you can rip off the stitches and start again. I love that it covers holes and stains. I love that is meditating. I love its textures. I love that it’s a hand craft and it keeps you away from the computer. I love that its equipment is very compact, mobile and light and you can embroider anywhere – on the plane, in the park, on the toilet. I love it mostly because it keeps me close to my grandmother and I feel like a part of her lives in every stitch I make.
Follow Stefanija’s work here.