Melissa Duran is a graphic designer and embroidery artist from Quito – Ecuador. She trained at the renowned Ecole Lesage in Paris for one year.

How did you get into embroidery? 

I’ve always been a person who enjoys handicrafts, I’ve done different kind of crafts throughout my life. My interest in embroidery began when I was in Barcelona for holidays and I was looking for things to bring back home to hang on an empty wall. I saw an embroidery and I thought that’s it! I’m going to learn this to dress that wall.

What made you want to train at Lesage?  

The fact that is such a well known school, I had heard so many good things about it. I saw it as an investment and besides it was in Paris, it couldn’t get any better! 

How long did you train there and what did you learn?

I trained at Ecole Lesage for three months. First of all I learned how to use the Luneville hook by making a dove with silk thread, sequins, beads and feathers. Then I made a sample that had all the techniques I was going to apply in the third and most important project that was a big and complex piece of embroidery. I framed and hung it on my wall. 

Would you recommend training at Lesage?

Absolutely! The experience is amazing. To be honest it was way better than what I expected. The teachers are great, they are very quiet compared to my Latin American world – but yes, I totally recommended it. 

Do you have a background in design?

I’m a graphic designer and I have a masters in Retail Space Design that I did in Barcelona.  

What are some of your favourite stitches?

Hmm that’s a very difficult and unfair question! Backstitch is the one I use the most because it’s so clean and useful. Then I love French knots, whipped spider wheel, stem, chain, I could name thousands more. I want to learn more ways to make flowers!

What do you enjoy more, stitching with thread of using embellishments? 

Both are so different and have different final looks. When I use embellishments I use the luneville hook which I love because it’s so fast and easy. But stitching with thread is so relaxing that I couldn’t chose one. 

Where do you get your materials and threads from?

Normally I use DMC threads which I can get here in my city, but the haute couture materials I bought from Paris. 

How do you start a new piece of work, what’s your design process?

First I modify the size on Adobe Illustrator, then I print it and use a special paper to transfer it to the fabric. I set up the hoop and choose the colours which is the hardest step for me as there are so many!

Are you overwhelmed with designs and ideas or does it take time to find new embroideries to stitch?

I am overwhelmed all the time! Every time I start a new one I have in my mind the next piece I want to do, and I just want to finish it so I can start ASAP haha.

Do you embroider for fun or is it a full time job?

At first it was just for fun, now it’s a full time job. I don’t have a specific schedule since I work from home, but I embroider most of the time. Normally during the mornings I teach embroidery (normal or haute couture embroidery) and in the afternoon I embroider commissions. 

How do you find using Instagram? Do you ever worry your work will be copied? 

Instagram has been a very useful tool for me. It is so easy to reach thousands of different people around the globe! When somebody from the other side of the world leaves a comment it’s so nice! I feel that without Instagram I wouldn’t have been able to show my work to all the people that have seen it.

Do you ever feel nervous or anxious your followers won’t like your work?

It’s not something I think about haha, maybe I should, but I think that every person has their own style, and probably the people that follow me, like the style that I keep, maybe that’s why it keeps growing and that’s very motivating! 

Do you ever feel pressured to post images that you know will get lots of likes instead of simply posting what you like?

No, I don’t feel pressured to post anything. Normally I just post what I like.

What do you love about embroidery?

I feel very good doing it, it’s so relaxing, kind of a meditation to me. It’s a way of expressing yourself, or what others feel.

Follow Melissa on Instagram here.