Nadine Reilly is an embroidery designer from Newcastle, Australia.

How did you get into embroidery?

I’m completely self taught, you could say I graduated from the YouTube School of Stitchcraft and Wizardry. I first discovered embroidery via a local artist on Instagram and thought I’d try it on a complete whim by purchasing their beginners kit. I knew nothing about embroidery nor the importance it held in my own family history but it was love at first stitch and I’ve never been so proud of something I’ve made. It genuinely changed my life in every possible way and I’m so honoured that I get to teach people from all around the world.

Do you have a background in design?

I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t creating something. As much as I loved art I never felt like I had quite found my niche, so I was always dabbling in something new. I studied a double degree in Fine Art and High School Teaching at University but didn’t go back for my final year because I landed my dream job that honestly had nothing to do with my degree haha. It was for the best anyway because I never flourished under the pressure of creating art for school and I was much better suited to art as a creative outlet. 

What are some of your favourite stitches?

Outline or stem stitch… which is technically the same stitch, just a different thread direction. I’m also learning to love split stitch!

Are there any stitches you’re keen on learning?

I would love to incorporate more beads and sequins into my work, not technically a stitch but still! I’ve also been working on perfecting my bullion knot rose during my 365 days of rose embroidery challenge.

Where do you get your materials and threads from?

It’s a mixture of small, local businesses and major craft stores. When I started embroidery I almost exclusively shopped at large craft stores but over time I’ve found some wonderful small businesses for 90% of my supplies. My favourite supplies are DMC embroidery floss, Tulip embroidery needles, and calico fabric.

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

I try to be as paperless as possible so most of my process is on an iPad. I usually start with a sketch in Procreate which I then clean up with crisp lines. I use the app to experiment with thread colour and fabric options so I always have a general idea of how I want it to look. Then I trace onto my fabric directly from my iPad and pick my stitches as I go. Sometimes my final work looks wildly different to how I imagined it but I love the process!

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

Both. I keep a list in the notes on my phone with ideas that come to me but sometimes I’m so inspired and overflowing with ideas and other times I’m in such a creative slump. I’m prone to imposter syndrome occasionally and think that sometimes it’s impossible for me to keep up with the fast-paced online environment when embroidery is such a beautifully slow craft. Emphasis on the slow because I am a sloth-speed stitcher!

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

I work full-time in Operations at a tech company so embroidery is something that’s completed by lamp at night or all day if I can help it during my weekends. Sometimes I wish I could give embroidery more time but it’s good to have a nice balance.

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

So far my experience has been so positive and I’ve met some of the kindest and talented people on there – people I’m so humbled to call my friends. I’m aware of the copy-culture around but I’m never too worried because most of the time there’s nothing malicious behind the copying (unless they’re selling or profiting off my work!). I think people copy to learn and find their own style and I’m not here to stop anyone from trying to learn or grow! It’s one of the main reasons I started pattern making – so people could replicate some of my work and make it their own.

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

Not really because as an artist I thrive and love feedback. It can be hard to be objective with your own work so when a post doesn’t get as many likes or engagement, it’s how I learn what my audience wants to see (or not see).

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

Not having likes visible in Australia definitely helps with that because I feel zero pressure about what I do and don’t post these days. If something does well, then that’s great! If it doesn’t do well, then I learn from it but I’m never ashamed of my like count. A year or so ago I would study my insights to learn when the best time to post was but now I post when I want, what I want, and just hope people like it and that they’ve got the content they followed me for!

Follow Nadine here.