Threads of Treasure

Sara Barnes is an artist and writer who runs the popular blog Brown Paper Bag and was previously an editor at My Modern Met. She runs Bear&Bean, an embroidery studio stitching pet portraits and other beloved creatures. Her work has been recognized in Embroidery, American Illustration, and other publications. She is also the author of Embroidered Life. When she’s not stitching or writing, she enjoys planning things that bring people together. She is the cofounder of Camp Craftaway, a day camp for crafty adults. She lives in Seattle, Washington.

“Brown Paper Bag blogger Barnes (Embroidered Life) serves up an unusually reflective guide to embroidery that’s distinguished by its open-ended projects and thorough profiles of fabric artists . . . Though the profiles and generous photos of the embroiderers’ impressive work are the main draws, Barnes also includes three ‘projects’ that eschew step-by-step directions in favor of conceptual guidance on devising original pieces. For instance, one project offers tips for creating thread art based around a found item, encouraging readers to contemplate designs by studying the visual qualities of their item and then sketching out potential compositions before setting needle to fabric. Crafters who feel restricted by the rigid instructions of other how-to manuals will relish this invitation to let their creativity run wild.”