About Fiesty Needle
I would watch my grandmother work on a quilt block, and swore she was making magic! Although I wasn’t drawn to quilting myself, it didn't stop her from putting a needle in my hand and encouraging me towards building my sewing skills. It was through her influence that I learned how to cross stich.
In 2002, while pregnant with my oldest child, I stitched a baby sampler. This currently my oldest “WIP”, and I hope to finish it someday. Perhaps when she has a baby of her own!
I didn’t stich again, until the global lock-down of 2020. Much like the rest of the world, I had a lot free time on my hands. In keeping with tradition, I decided it was time to pass along the creative bug to my children. We picked up our first “curbside order” from one of our favorite craft stores. I had found some small cross-stitch kits, hoping my children would enjoy them. As quickly as my children lost interest in stitching, I realized that my stitch journey was about to begin.
As they say, “it all went downhill from there.”
I discovered Flosstube, Etsy, and Stitchville. Through the varied social media platforms, I learned about independent designers, hand overdyed floss and fabric. Stitchers just like me, with careers and families. With the support of my own family, I was/am lucky enough to travel around the United States to cross-stitch retreats, and have met many of these influencers, along with stitchers from all walks of life.
Over time, my skill level and pattern preferences evolved, and I was no longer stitching teddy bears and geese from the 90's. I am now an eclectic stitcher who consistently works on statement or period pieces. As a devotee to our stitch community, I support my favorite designers and have an impressive personal collection of patterns.
To track my progress, I started my own Instagram page. Choosing a name was easy, Fiesty Stitcher (@fiestystitcher). A play on my last name, this purposeful mis-spelling is my way of breaking the rules and encouraging everyone to bring their own energy to the cross-stitch community.
With regards to my professional background, most of my resume includes retail and restaurant management, specializing in communication and procedural strategies. My long-term goal is to use my skills to energize the cross-stitch industry by empowering stitchers to make feisty design decisions.
Thank you for visiting my online store, and for joining me on my Fiesty journey.
-Tona