August 2020 June 2020| |Volume Volume1 1Issue Issue43
e m o c Wel
I think most of us can agree that 2020 has not turned out the way any of us has expected it to. For many of us, our lives have been disrupted in ways that were impossible to fathom this time last year. For me, 2020 started with the idea for this magazine and the excitement of making it a reality in just a few short weeks. Then, just a few short weeks after that, the world as we knew it changed. Now, six months later, we are starting the school year with classrooms in our dining rooms as we continue working in our stretchy pants. We are wearing masks when we go out and trying to get used to finding activities that don’t involve excessive exposure to people we don’t know well. And, for some of us, we’ve lost people we know and love to this horrible disease.
In July, my father-in-law died of covid. My mother-in-law was in the hospital battling the disease at the same time. It has been life-altering for my husband, an only child to two parents who are also only children, and me. In a matter of four days, we made the decision to move 1,200 miles to Las Vegas to care for my now-widowed MIL. One thing that has gotten me through this time has been my stitching projects and the members of our stitching community. You have all been so understanding and supportive as Free Fabric Fridays have been on hold and VIP gifts have been delayed. Hopefully, as you read this issue, I will be well on my way to getting us back on schedule...and maybe even introducing some new stuff as a big ‘ole thank you! Be well!
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coming soon!
We are always looking for new contributors— or just ideas for future features. Contact us! We’re all over the place!
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WELCOME
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RETRO WITH A TINY MODERN TWIST FINDING TINY MODERNIST ONLINE
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STITCHLIFE EXCLUSIVE PATTERN
STITCHY GLOSSARY
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FEATURED STITCHALONG: TINY MODERNIST CELEBRATING KICK-ASS WOMEN: SHIRLEY CHISHOLM
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LEARN MORE ABOUT SHIRLEY CHISHOLM
BACK IN BLACK(WORK)
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WITCHING ALONG WITH FOURTH CIRCLE STUDIO
FLOSSTUBE DIRECTORY
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WHAT’S GOING ON?
Retro with a tin
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ny modern twist
written by Dana L. Costa; photos courtesy of Cheryl McKinnon
If you haven’t already purchased a Tiny Mod- including vintage art and architecture. ernist pattern, participated in one of their many SALs, or completed a Tiny Modernist “I collect mid-century and retro kitchenware, pattern, you’ve likelike Fire-King, and vinly seen the designs on tage clothing sewing FlossTube, Instagram, patterns (1940s - 1970s). Facebook, and even in I love vintage shopping, I print publications. The look for antique malls or woman behind this sucsmall shops, but even at cessful company is Cana Value Village, you nevada-based artist Cheryl er know what little treaMcKinnon. sures you might find,” she said. Cheryl’s artwork is easily recognizable as Tiny She makes her vintage Modernist because of shopping adventures a its color, design, and family affair by having themes. A quick browse her two daughters, 12 through her patterns and 10, come with her. is a glimpse into CherBarney, the family dog, yl’s life, loves, and backdoesn’t like to join in. ground. While Cheryl’s art supHer first success with ports the family now, her a cross-stitch pattern previous career as an artwas a series of modern ist and fashion designer chair designs that she has contributed to Tiny sold on Etsy—where her Modernist’s success— main product was hand-sewn toddler dress- in terms of the creativity and the technology es. Those early designs started selling so more needed to thrive. patterns were added. “Firstly, I think of my patterns as my art. It’s “The chair patterns did so well, I thought I my body of work as an artist, so the designs should make some more designs,” Cheryl re- change and grow over time as I do, and often called. “I stayed in the mid-century subject reflect where I am in my headspace,” Cheryl matter for a while—doing charts of modern said. furniture, kitchen gadgets, and retro things like cassette tapes and roller skates.” On the tech side, she looks to her fashion background. “My fashion design training helped These themes draw from her own passions, me learn all the programs that I use now on a August 2020
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regular basis for chart layouts, photo editing, video production, web design, etc.,” she said. “I rely on my laptop and iMac heavily.” Cheryl isn’t tied to a physical location to produce her art. She has created designs and commissions in cafes, on vacation, and even while en route to Mexico.
launching her company in 2008, it took years of business-building before she was able to make Tiny Modernist her full-time focus. “I’m a one-woman show,” Cheryl said, “and with the fun stuff like sketching and designing also comes things like managing a business, packing and shipping, invoices and paperwork and filing.” She balances these business demands and her personal and family life by outsourcing some test stitching to several area model stitchers.
“In fact,” she said, “I often joke that I can work anywhere, and truthfully, if I have my laptop, a sketchbook, and my current WIP I could work just about anywhere!” “They are fantastic stitchers and it frees up a lot of time being able to outsource some Regardless of the location, one thing re- models. I do this because I love stitching, so mains constant: She needs is the right head I always have some stitching WIPs myself!” space to be creative. Cheryl’s love of stitching started in child“I need to feel calm, centered and quiet for hood. “My mom taught me,” she shared. “I ideas to flow, otherwise the process can end also did some sewing when I was little, but up feeling forced,” Cheryl said. “I do my best otherwise it’s always been cross stitch. I sedesign work in the morning, when the house riously can’t get enough of it. You know it’s is quiet and I feel refreshed. I like to have a an obsession when you see numbers in the cup of tea, and settle in with my sketches, vi- real world and immediately associate it with sual references, and my laptop and just relax a DMC floss color. Like, passing a house that and draw.” is number 535 and thinking of grey, lol!” With our world in so much upheaval, Cheryl She may be able to easily remember that is focusing on designs that are “bright, posi- DMC 535 is grey, her signature look relies on tive, and happy – with a touch of humor.” bold colors with a modern feel. “I think positive change in the world can start on a personal level. Laughter really does help to make you relax and feel better. Like the Just Go Left design, which is funny but with a modicum of truth.” Cheryl admits that the road to Tiny Modernist’s success hasn’t always been easy. After 6
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“I like experimenting, and enjoy playing around with the style,” Cheryl shared. “Some of my designs are large and bold, some have more backstitching and realism, other times I like to just use whole stitches. I’m a Gemini and like to be different and unexpected.”
Just like the traits of her astrological sign, Cheryl is drawn to the unexpected. In addition to her love of vintage goodies, she also looks to other designers across the art and illustration, architecture, interior design, and industrial design spectrum. Those inspirations run the gamut from the familiar – Alexander Girard, Charles & Ray Eames, and Richard Scarry —to the lesser known (to the general public) —Charley Harper, the Provensens, and Mary Blair, an early animator for Walt Disney. These inspirations make it into her designs in concrete ways. “Believe it or not,” she said, “[Richard Scarry’s] work inspired my Haunted Mansion design!”
Her organization has helped as the marketplace has changed. Today, we take for granted that we automatically receive the digital downloads of the patterns we purchase online. When Cheryl first started selling her patterns on Etsy 12 years ago, she had to email each buyer personally with the patterns they had purchased. Although technology has automated part of her business, it isn’t the only basis for her business success. Wholesale distribution of her charts expanded her reach in the stitch community – getting her artwork into local needle shops and online stores all over the world.
Also a bit unexpected: CherEven as her busiyl just launched ness has grown, her Christmas this one-woman SAL on August 1, show knows the 2020. While it may importance of seem too soon to fostering strong start thinking of personal relathe holidays, she tionships in the works her ideas and designs several months stitching community. in advance. The creation and marketing of her artwork is another carry-over from her work Cheryl mainly uses distributors to get her patas a fashion designer. terns into brick-and-mortar and online stores, she still works with individual LNS/ONS and “I work from a marketing calendar with dates attends the Nashville Needlework Market and deadlines for developing and printing each year. each SAL, series, individual designs, magazine commissions, etc.,” she explained. “Working “[Nashville Market] is such a wonderful opwithin a framework helps to focus my creativ- portunity to connect with shop owners, fabric ity and makes sure I get things released on and floss suppliers, and other designers facetime.” to-face,” she said. August 2020
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She sees the support of the sellers, creators, and stitchers in our community as part of a larger societal awareness.
“It sounds cliché,” Cheryl admitted, “but I believe you should find something that you are truly passionate about doing and make it your life’s work — or your life’s hobby. Maybe it’s not possible to have it as your primary job, but I believe everyone should at least bring what they are passionate about into their life as best they can.”
“I think people are looking for ways to get back to a more natural lifestyle, everything through buying natural products, supporting local businesses and makers,” she said, “and for many people, needle arts is a way of getting back to that.” She believes that social media, including FlossTube, has been helpful in connecting stitchers and building a sense of community, including sharing the meditative and calming aspect of our craft – especially important in our hectic schedules.
page 11.
Tiny Modernist’s Every Season Sampler is our Featured SAL this month. Check it out on
Cheryl has graciously provided StitchLife subscribers a discount code for everything on her website. Use STITCHLIFE10 for 10% off your purchase. Use it to jump into one of her SALs or stock up on future WIPs!
Finding Tiny Modernist W E B S I T E tinymodernist.com
E T S Y tinymodernist.etsy.com I N S TAG R A M @tinymodernist FAC E B O O K facebook.com/TinyModernistCrossStitch facebook.com/groups/TinyModernist
P I N T E R E S T pinterest.ca/tinymodernist YO U T U B E youtube.com/tinymodernist T W I T T E R @tinymodernist 8
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Stitchy Glossary : Understanding Needles written by Dana L. Costa
When I started stitching, I had no idea that there was an ideal needle for each type of fabric you stitch. All I knew is that there was a needle...and it typically was whatever came in the kit I was stitching or was leftover from the last kit I finished (or didn’t finish. Don’t judge.) As I’ve branched out to different
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count and style of fabric, I have come to learn that there is an ideal needle size for each. To find the recommended needle for your project, choose the type of fabric and the fabric count to come up with the best tapestry needle for the job.
credit to the image owner
SAL OF THE MONTH
photo courtesy of Dana L. Costa (fabric: 18 ct lilac hand-dyed Aida from Sassi Stitch)
Featured Stitchalong:
Ti n y M odernist
THEME: EVERY SEASON SAMPLER FREQUENCY: BI-MONTHLY FIRST PATTERN: FEBRUARY 1, 2020 LAST PATTERN: DECEMBER 1, 2020 COST: US$20 (PATTERN ONLY) SHOP: TINYMODERNIST.COM INSTAGRAM: @TINYMODERNIST
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INSPIRATION
Revisiting the Chisholm Trail written by Dana L. Costa
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f you read current political headlines, you’ll see that Democratic nominee for Vice President, Senator Kamala Harris is being touted as a trailblazer. During the 2008 election, sometimes called the Battle of the Firsts, both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were called trailblazers.
written by Dana L Costa
The path to success for these two politicians -- and hundreds, if not thousands, of others -was paved by the efforts of Shirley Chisholm. Shirley Anita St. Hill was born in 1924 in New York City (USA) to immigrant parents who insisted that Shirley and her sisters receive a solid education. To make that happen, they sent their daughters, including 4-year-old Shirley to Barbados to live with their grandmother and go to strict British-style schools. The time with her beloved Granny in Barbados not only provided a strong educational foundation, but also a strong sense of self. “I learned from an early age that I was somebody,” Ms. Chisholm recalled. “I didn’t need the black revolution to tell me that.” Soon after returning to the United States, Ms. Chisholm earned a spot in the prestigious Girls’ High School in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn. The neighborhood, commonly known as Bed-Stuy, would become her home and Congressional district for decades.
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After graduating from Girls’ High School, Ms. Chisholm went on to study at Brooklyn College, where she completed her college education and won awards for her speaking, debating, and writing skills. While at Brooklyn College, she was not only a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority and the Harriet Tubman Society, a group which fought for WWII troop integration, education in African American history, and women’s involvement in student government. While her educational path was not politics, she was definitely influenced by the activism of her parents, who were involved in community support for Barbadans’ rights and civil liberties. Ms. Chisholm’s first jobs were in her chosen field of education, and she taught nursery
school while pursuing—and ultimately completing—her master’s degree in elementary education from Teachers College at Columbia University in New York City. Her first step into a government role was as an educational consultant for New York City’s Division of Day Care, and grew to be known as an authority on early education and children’s welfare. In the early 1950s, Ms. Chisholm became active in the efforts to elect Lewis Flagg, Jr. as the first black judge in Brooklyn. She worked with Wesley “Mac” Holder on the campaign and later the formation of the Bedford-Stuyvesant Political League (BSPL), which fought to support civil rights, improve the economy of Brooklyn, and end race-based housing discrimination.
When Flagg decided to take a judicial appointment rather than run for re-election, Ms. Chisholm ran in for the seat. After winning the democratic primary, Ms. Chisholm easily defeated her Republican and Liberal party challengers at a margin of almost 10-to-1. Serving in the New York State Assembly from 1965-1968, Ms. Chisholm wrote and advocated for legislation to provide students with disabilities more support in school and more access to a college education, extend unemployment benefits to domestic workers, and allow literacy tests to be administered in languages other than English, saying, “just because a person “functions better in his native language is no sign a person is illiterate.”
“If they don’t give you a seat at the table , bring a folding chair.”
While a clash with Holder over the involvement of women in the BSPL led to a split with the organization, Ms. Chisholm’s volunteer work and activism only grew with her affiliation with the League of Women Voters, the Brooklyn Democratic Clubs, National Association of College Women and more. Her main thrust was to increase the integration of these organizations and increase women’s participation and leadership roles in them. Her success in recruiting more people of color to political organizations in and around Brooklyn led to increased political involvement and, ultimately, more people of color running for political office. In 1962, Ms. Chisholm helped elect Thomas R. Jones, a colleague from her days on Lewis Flagg, Jr.’s campaign team, as Brooklyn’s second black assemblyman to the New York State Assembly.
After political redistricting established new boundaries for New York’s 12th Congressional District in Bed-Stuy, Ms. Chisholm ran for and, in a stunning upset over the Liberal candidate, won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. She was the first black woman to ever be a U.S. Representative and the only woman in her class in the House that year. As is standard for all House members, Ms. Chisholm was placed on a House subcommittee -- the House Agriculture Committee. Given the district that Ms. Chisholm represented, an urban area with no agricultural possibilities whatsoever, she was openly upset. After confiding in a friend who was also a rabbi, Ms. Chisholm refocused her efforts on expanding the food stamp program and creating the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC. She was credited
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with giving poor babies and children milk and food, something of vital importance in the lower income, working class district she represented. In later years, she was moved to a committee that she preferred, the Education and Labor Committee, and became a high-ranking member of the committee. In 1971, Ms. Chisholm became a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the National Women’s Political Caucus, both still active today. In early 1972, Ms. Chisholm became the first African-American representing a major political party to run for President. She was also the first woman from the Democratic Party to run for President. Presidential campaigns were different then; shorter, less mean, more about policy than personalities. Ms. Chisholm’s campaign was woefully underfunded, especially compared to her opponents’ war chests, and she struggled to compete, especially since she stayed true to her campaign slogan: Unbought 14
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and Unbossed. She ran her campaign not as presidential campaigns had been run in the past, but in a way that was true to her beliefs. She has stated that she ran for President “in spite of hopeless odds...to demonstrate the sheer will and refusal to accept the status quo” Even though Ms. Chisholm rarely placed higher than 4th in any state primary contest, she continued her campaign all the way to the 1972 Democratic National Convention in Miami, conceding her bid after the first delegate vote and graciously supporting the eventual candidate, George McGovern (who famously lost in a landslide against Richard Nixon, who carried 49 states that year). Serving in her congressional role until 1982, Ms. Chisholm was dedicated to improving the lives of the inner-city poor, supporting social service programs and opposing the draft and increased military spending. She was often frustrated by the treatment of women in Congress, stating that she had “faced much more discrimination during
Throughout her career she stayed true to her support of women in the workplace, including politics, by hiring only women to staff her Congressional office, at least half of them were black. After retiring from public service in 1982 to care for her ailing husband, Ms. Chisholm stayed active in politics as a supporter of Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988 and by co-founding the National Congress of Black Women and African-American Women for Reproductive Freedom. Ms. Chisholm died in 2005 and is buried in Buffalo, New York (USA). Inscribed on her vault: “Unbought and Unbossed.” She garnered countless awards and honorary degrees throughout her lifetime, and will have a monument erected in her honor at the entrance of Brooklyn’s Prospect Park in the near future. President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Ms. Chisholm the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015, the highest honor giv-
en to a civilian in the United States.
pattern by SweetPrairieSkies on Etsy
her New York legislative career because she was a woman than because of her race.”
In the 2002 documentary on her Presidential run, Chisholm ‘72: Unbought and Unbossed, Ms. Chisholm, prophetically stated, “When I die, I don’t want to be remembered as the first black woman who went to Congress. I don’t even want to be remembered as the first woman who happened to be black to make a bid for the presidency. I want to be remembered as a woman who fought for change in the 20th century. That’s what I want.”
Ms. Chisholm got all that and more by paving the way for today’s women and people of color who are involved in politics and advocacy -- not just those who run for office, but those lesser known people who protest, advocate, and create policy. They all owe their thanks, in part, to Ms. Shirley Chisholm.
Sources: Wikipedia.org; SmithsonianMag.com; House.gov; womenshistory.org; biography.com; Chisholm ‘72: Unbought & Unbossed
Learn more about Shirley Chisholm Chisholm ‘72: Unbought & Unbossed (2002)
We Rise: Speeches by Inspirational Black Women (2010) Unbought & Unbossed (Shirley Chisholm, 1970) The Good Fight (Shirley Chisholm, 1973) Shirley Chisholm: Catalyst for Change (Barbara Winslow, 2013) Young, Gifted, and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes from Past and Present (Jamia Wilson, 2018) Shirley Chisholm is a Verb (Veronica Chambers, 2020) August 2020
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Back in Black(work): G Like many of us, pattern-creator Elizabeth Dolance has anxiety and depression...and uses stitching to help her cope with those conditions. “There are a lot of reasons I stitch,” Liz explained, “but it really boils down to ‘because my brain likes it.’” Since Liz has a hard time sitting still and stitching (and knitting) gives her hands something to do and provides a sense of accomplishment with the time she spends stitching. “Being able to give thoughtful gifts and hang my art in my home is icing on the cake,” she added.
And stitching has been part of Liz’s life for as long as she can remember. “I learned when I was so young, I don’t remember learning,” she recalled..” I have put it down for months or years at a time but I always seem to come back to it.” She does remember that her mom taught her to stitch and in true like-mother-like-daughter style they both have phases of putting down and picking up the needle. They are both stitching right now and Liz said she loves sharing stitching tips and frustrations with her mom. “It’s a great bonding activity!”
That’s Liz + her hubby with her mom ...and stitching buddy !
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Getting to know Liz Dolance written by Dana L. Costa; photos courtesy of Elizabeth Dolance
Recently, Liz started creating her own patterns as StashStitchDesigns. She said she’s still finding her style but she’s off to a great start! “I’m inspired by things that everyone is inspired by,” she admitted, “Issues I’m passionate about, groups I’m a part of, shows and movies I like.” She runs her entire shop using a Chromebook, which she didn’t realize was unique until she was testing pattern-creation software...and she was talking to other creators. “Apparently it’s pretty insane,” she said, “so pretty par for the course for me!”
On her to-do list are a set of patterns inspired by stand-up comedian John Mulaney and a music-inspired blackwork pattern. Check out the exclusive blackwork pattern she created just for StitchLife! The St. Cloud, Minnesota (USA)-based creator loves pattern suggestions, too. But she also loves suggestions for patterns as well! Why not connect with her for a special request! Enjoy 15% off your StashStitchDesigns purchase on Etsy using code STITCHLIFE15.
Liz created this blackwork pattern just for StitchLifers . Download it today !
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When complete , this Witchalong will fill all these frames ! H ere are hints at some of the cool patterns that can be stitched in the full frame or completed as a bunch of little projects . Meow !
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Witching along with Fourth Circle Studio
written by Dana L. Costa; photos courtesy of Haley Talatinick
We can all understand the desire to create the dream stitch pattern that exists in our heads. Many of us will never translate that desire into reality.
the SAL pieces released so far, it is easy to tell which CAOS character you are stitching, even without names. It’s a fun, flexible stitch with lots of cute details.
Not Minnesota (USA)-based Haley Talatinick. She not only created the kick-ass pattern that she couldn’t find online, she turned it into a stitchalong (SAL)!
The path to the final design was not without its stumbles.
Wait, strike that...a Witchalong. Haley, under her company Fourth Circle Studio, created the popular Witchalong: The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (CAOS), based on the 2018 Netflix series, which was based on the Archie comic book series. What would make a pattern-creating newbie tackle a SAL? Haley explained it. “I blame Hamilton for making me feel like I need to accomplish something. I got it into my head that I wanted a giant Sabrina cross-stitch pattern so I sat down and made one! It started as a single pattern and spiraled out of control into over 15 separate patterns. Typical me had to take it one step further and make an entire Stitchalong for it.” Of all the pop-culture options available to her, why would Haley choose Sabrina? “The characters in CAOS are all so diverse that it makes them excellent subjects for a crossstitch pattern,” Haley said. “It’s important to have physical characteristics or props that are easy to distinguish so there is no questioning who they are.” Haley’s pattern definitely fits the bill. Of
“I wish I had the confidence to share a picture of my rough draft,” Haley recalled. “I initially started with similar patterns but the layout changed constantly. I’m very Type A, which results in spending massive amounts of time working on projects ‘til someone physically makes me stop.” Haley enlisted the help of a small group of test stitchers to help her complete the entire SAL to check the pattern for errors, make sure the colors translated the way Haley expected them to, and suggest tweaks to the design. Finding that trusted group was easier than she anticipated. “I released a free pattern, Portrait of Sabrina, to the [Facebook] group, and offered to let anyone who could complete it in a week be a test stitcher,” Haley said. “I contacted every single person who did and the crew was formed! It was kismet! Not only were they tolerant of my madness, they were encouraging and more supportive than any bra I’ve ever worn!” The challenges of creating a large pattern and starting a SAL don’t stop once the pattern is complete. “I personally struggle with engaging the [Facebook] group. Sometimes I feel like I’m shouting in a big dark room and I don’t know if anyone else
is there,” Haley admitted. And then there’s the imposter syndrome that so many experience. Even a talented creator like Haley feels it. “Early on, I expected others would question my legitimacy. I needed to establish trust before I could come anywhere close to opening an Etsy shop.” There’s also the age-old issue of fear of rejection, that the people she had rallied behind her CAOS Witchalong project wouldn’t like what she had designed. “I’m learning slowly that there’s rarely one thing that appeals to everyone,” Haley said. To try to get in front of that fear, Haley released patterns in her specific style to get feedback and gauge interest. Based on the reactions to her first project, there has been lots of interest in her design, something that surprises her a bit. She came onto the SAL scene seemingly from out of nowhere and she said she’s a little overwhelmed that her idea gener-
ated so much interest, including the request to do interviews like this one. “I’d love to do this again but I need a lot of reassurance to find the confidence,” she said. “It’s another thing that I’m working on in order to become the best me! I think if my angelic test stitchers agreed to let me throw them in the metaphorical trunk that is my process and drive them down the side of a mountain again I will conjure up a second stitchalong. Please help me lure them in!” And the subject? She excitedly replied: “Oh, hot damn! I love me some Beetlejuice. If he’s still looking for a bride then I’m looking for a second husband!” Find Haley and Fourth Circle Studio on Facebook and Instagram or on her website: FourthCircleStudio.com. Join the Witchalong Facebook group for more information about the SAL. Use the exclusive StitchLife discount code HELLRAISER for 15% off your purchase.
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