2 minute read
Stitcher style
Ukrainian Olena Khirkh-Yalan invented a winter wonderland in 3D for the family Christmas tree, then spread the magic and now her designs bring joy to other stitchers
How were you first introduced to cross stitching?
My mom stitches and my granny and grandpa were talented makers. Sewing, knitting, embroidery and quilting were our usual home crafts. Mom taught me everything. When I grew older, the grandeur of oldfashioned retail at Christmas became my passion along with cross stitching – it’s disappearing more and more each year, along with the stores themselves. So, one day, I decided to build a little wonderland for my Christmas tree, where that festive feeling still lives on.
How did you first start designing in cross stitch?
At the very beginning I made these cross stitched ornaments but they were just for myself and my family. I wanted to hang them from our Christmas tree so that it could ‘tell’ stories. One day, looking at the tree, my husband asked why not try selling the designs and teaching others to make the ornaments? That is how my path as a cross stitch designer began.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from your cross stitch business?
Life is too short to do the things you do not love. Follow your biggest dreams, otherwise somebody else will follow them instead of you.
How would you describe your design style?
The biggest ornament series, and the first one on my tree was ‘Christmas Village’, where you can find those old-world stories. It started with the ‘Carousel’ ornament made in 2011, and grew to 15 little houses and shops! When designing an ornament, I aim to make it a dainty cross
Clockwise left to right: Recreate a magical atmosphere with Santa’s Reindeer Stables ornament; Christmas Bottle; Santa and Mrs Claus
stitch delight that will capture your heart and bring back the thrills and excitement of the holiday season.
What’s your design process?
I am proud to say that my mom is not only often my model stitcher, but also a design partner, who helps, critiques and pushes me. I show her all my ideas and sketches, and if she approves, I work on it further. I believe details make the difference, so each new design starts with them, finding the buttons, tiny charms, fabric, trims – and that is my favourite part of the design process. When I have all those in front of me, I start to sketch. For example, the Santa design started with the buttons that looked like old-fashioned toys, a piece of brown linen (as a bag), and mohair Wisper threads that made a knitted sweater later. Those little touches make the ornament look more realistic, dimensional, and more difficult to make than they really are.
