Artist Interview: Fiber Artist Jenny Donachie & A Note on Embroidery

Embroidery is ornamentation. 

Though embroidery is often linked with the practice of sewing due to its similar implementation of needles, sewing and embroidery differ widely in their delineated purposes. Sewing is the creation of wearable items from textiles. Embroidery is an elaboration of aesthetics upon an already completed object. Throughout history the items of day-to-day life as well as objects of great ceremonial and monarchical importance have been decorated with embroidery. Some such items decorated with embroidery are; wedding garments, religious and ceremonial habits and apparel, baby clothing, military uniforms, covers for divans, wall hangings, mirror covers, curtains, mats and prayer mats, quilt facings, boots, sheets, hand towels and bath towels, napkins, table mats and costume accessories. The list goes on and on. 

The tradition of embroidery has existed for millenia and has been engaged with by every culture on the globe in one form or another. Embroidery is an artistic tradition which is undoubtedly an integral aspect to the material culture of the past as well as the present. 

In order to celebrate the past and present of the embroidery tradition this blog post frames an interview with St Andrews student and embroidery artist, Jenny Donachie, with images from embroidery pieces throughout history. 

-Chandler Rawson, Website Coordinator of the Art Society

Chandler: Jenny, when did you first learn how to embroider? 

Jenny: I learnt to embroider during lockdown as I had always wanted to try it and with so much time on my hands it felt like the perfect time to learn. I originally started with cross stitch which is much easier before moving onto embroidery.

Unknown, Armchair with early sprung padding 1830/1839. Mahogany with embroidered (silk, wool) original upholstery, Nordiska Museet, Stockholm, Sweden.

C: In your experience, how long does it typically take to complete a project? 
J: It normally takes around a week to complete a project if I work on it continuously. 

Unknown, Wrapping Cloth for Engagement, Korea, 19th century. Embroidery, Sookmyung Women's University Museum, Korea.

C: What about embroidery appeals to you? 

J: I think it’s a very pretty craft and it felt like a very attainable one to be able to teach myself.

Unknown, Woman's corset-bodice and skirt (potentially from the wardrobe of Orsolya Esterházy), mid 17th-century. Textile, cloth, embroidery, metal thread, Museum of Applied Arts, Budapest, Hungary.

C: Do you see yourself continuing to embroider after university?

J: Yes, definitely. I love to hang out with my friends and craft together and I hope that continues even once we’ve graduated.

Unknown, Sozni Embroidery: In process, 2017. Kani sozni stitch embroidery on cloth, Dastkari Haat Samiti, New Delhi, India.

C: Is there a past project of yours that you are particularly proud of? If so, why? 

J: I embroidered jumpers for my mum and sister last year for Christmas that I was very proud of. I found a pattern online for a love-heart made up of lots of little embroidered flowers and vines which I thought was very pretty. It was the first time I had embroidered on something other than embroidery fabric and also the first time I had had to copy a pattern onto fabric myself. Normally I just embroider patterns already printed on embroidery fabric. 

Jenny Donachie, Embroidered Sweatshirt, 2022. Embroidery.

C: What project are you presently working on? 

J: I’m currently working on a set of four embroidered pieces, all with the same floral pattern but in the centre of each is a different letter for each of my family members initials. 

Jenny Donachie, Floral Series 1, 2023. Embroidery on canvas.

C: What project / projects are you presently working on? 
J: I would love to learn how to knit or crochet as you can make so many different things and I’d love to knit my own jumper one day. 

Thank you to Jenny, for agreeing to participate in this interview, that care which you put into your answers is greatly appreciated and the art which you create is greatly admired.

The End.

Opening image captions:

[top row, left] Jenny Donachie, Floral Series 1, 2023. Embroidery on canvas.

[top row, middle] Unknown, Shaving apron and matching towel, second half of the 18th century. Grey-blue silk fabric, silk thread, white metal wrapped silk thread, Sadberk Hanim Museum, Istanbul, Turkey.

[top row, right] Unknown, Woman's corset-bodice and skirt (probably from the wardrobe of Orsolya Esterházy), mid 17th-century. Textile, cloth, embroidery, metal thread, Museum of Applied Arts, Budapest, Hungary.

[bottom row, left] Unknown, Armchair with early sprung padding, 1830/1839. Mahogany with embroidered original upholstery, Nordiska Museet, Stockholm, Sweden.

[bottom row, middle] Unknown, Sozni Embroidery: In process, 2017. Kani sozni stitch embroidery on cloth, Dastkari Haat Samiti, New Delhi, India.

[bottom row, right] Unknown, Wrapping Cloth for Engagement, Korea, 19th century. Embroidery, Sookmyung Women's University Museum, Korea.