Imagine flicking through your family photo album. Each image holds a story – the determined set of your grandmother’s jaw, the sparkle in your son’s eyes when he was small, the way your mother’s whole face lit up when she laughed.
These aren’t just photographs. They’re moments of connection frozen in time.
But, although the memories bring joy, the idea of creating the faces of your loved ones in stitch can feel scary.
Lose the fear & find the fun in stitching faces
“Portraits usually terrify me,” confesses Stitch Club member Joanne Moorey. Maybe you feel the same way? Yet after discovering textile artist Susie Vickery’s unique and fun approach, Joanne found herself “brave enough to keep practising,” discovering that stitching faces can feel both natural and enjoyable.
This shift from fear to freedom is at the heart of Susie’s philosophy. “I like that connection with people,” she explains. “When you choose the image, I like the person to be looking at you because then you’re making that connection with the eyes.”
The fear behind the thread
Maybe you’ve been drawn to the idea of creating portraits in stitch. You’ve seen others capture personality and emotion with just fabric and thread, making pieces that feel alive with character. But something holds you back.
“I’ll never capture their likeness.“
“My stitching needs to be perfect.”
“I wouldn’t know where to begin.”
These were exactly the thoughts that held back countless stitchers before they discovered a more liberating approach. “Portraits have never been my thing,” admits Lois Standish, “but this quick technique made it really fun.”
Breaking free: The “Sketchy stitch” revolution
Susie Vickery’s approach to portraits turns traditional assumptions upside down. “Don’t worry,” she encourages. “These are just sketches. Think of them as practice pieces and you might surprise yourself.”
This shift in mindset – from seeking perfection to embracing experimentation – is revolutionary. “Although before this workshop, portraits were something I thought I would never consider as a concept for my art… ‘never say never’ and ‘always learning!'” reflects Jan Virgo, capturing the transformation that happens when we let go of our preconceptions.
When Susie creates a portrait, she’s not trying to make a continuous, perfect line. Instead, she’s sketching with thread, allowing each stitch to contribute to the character of the piece. This freedom has led to unexpected joy for many participants.
“I am completely addicted and am now persuading people in the village to have their photos taken for sketchy samples!”
Sue Forey, Stitch Club Member
Finding your voice through faces
Just as everyone’s handwriting is unique, Susie believes every stitcher develops their own distinctive approach. “Like your handwriting, you’ll develop your own individual style,” she assures. “It’s always amazing in the workshops how different everyone’s outcome is… You can clearly see the style that carries across no matter what the subject is.”
This personal approach resonates deeply with participants. “My first attempt at a portrait is my father-in-law in 1940,” shares Mary Bertholf. “He always smiled a lot, and always had dark circles around his eyes and folds in his face.” It’s these personal observations, these intimate details that make each portrait unique to its creator.
Susie’s top tips for creating characters in stitch
1. Start with someone you don’t know
“You might find it easier for your first attempt not to do someone that you know,” Susie advises. “Often it’s harder when it’s a face you know really well and you spend all your time trying to get the likeness rather than looking at the picture in front of you as something to work from.”
One Stitch Club member discovered the freedom in this approach. After starting with unfamiliar faces, she gained the confidence to tackle more personal subjects, even feeling empowered to “redo the mouth on my son’s portrait” when it wasn’t quite right. The process became about exploration rather than perfection.
2. Think sketches, not masterpieces
“I’m doing some quite long stitches, and I’m overlapping them. I’m not trying to make a continuous line. I’m just sketching in,” Susie explains. This liberating approach resonates deeply with participants.
“I really enjoyed stitching this. Even though I don’t feel I achieved a great likeness, it doesn’t matter. I know I’ll get better the more I practice,” shares Jess Richardson, who found joy in the process by using fabrics inherited from her mother. The material connection became more important than photographic accuracy.
3. Let the lines lead you
Rather than trying to create perfect features, look for the defining lines that give character to a face. “The lines that we’re putting in are just a guide,” Susie emphasises.
This approach led to beautiful discoveries for Melissa Emerson, who shares, “I’ve really enjoyed developing this piece further using colour on a small section of the face.”
“I’ve deliberately caused some of the threads to knot around the hair to add to the meaning of the piece – accepting physical change as we get older.”
“The acceptance that our perceived imperfections make us who we are and that there is a strength and beauty in this.”
“I loved the thread drawing element of this workshop, especially the freedom to be playful with the placement of stitches. Thanks again Susie, this was lots of fun!”
Melissa Emerson, Stitch Club Member
4. Build in layers
Susie’s technique of layering fabrics and then building up stitches creates depth naturally.
Catherine Walker found this transformative: “This workshop felt very special. I am not able to see my Mother often as she lives on the other side of the country. It felt like I was sharing time with her as I studied her photo, adding colour and depth. It reminded me of what a strong woman she is and how much I love her smile.”
Each layer brings new opportunities for character and connection.
5. Embrace the process
“Like your handwriting, you’ll develop your own individual style,” Susie encourages.
Angela Sparkman discovered this truth firsthand: “Oh. I really enjoyed this one. I did all of the stitching in one sitting! Learning to capture my dad’s likeness has brought so much joy and experimentation to my art.”
The journey begins: Getting started
The beauty of Susie’s approach to stitching portraits is that you can begin with just basic materials:
- A simple photo reference
- Three pieces of fabric (Susie often uses calico and old clothing)
- Basic embroidery threads
- A needle and hoop
For many participants, using meaningful materials adds an extra layer of connection. As Jess Richardson discovered, using inherited fabrics creates a deeper bond with the subject and the process itself.
From sketch to story
When Susie creates a portrait, she’s doing more than capturing a likeness – she’s telling a story. “I’ve loved spending time with her getting to know her face in detail as I embroider it which I think is really wonderful,” she says of a portrait of her mother-in-law.
This deeper connection through stitch resonates with many participants. Richard Tremelling used Susie’s technique to create his first stitched portrait of his mother-in-law, noting the quick yet striking results in capturing her “characterful” face in just an hour.
Taking the first stitch
Remember: every accomplished portrait artist started exactly where you are now – with a simple needle and thread, and a willingness to try. As Susie puts it, “I prefer to actually sketch with a needle and thread because I absolutely love sewing.”
The joy isn’t in achieving perfection – it’s in the process of discovery, in developing your own unique voice, and in creating something deeply personal and meaningful.
Ready to start your portrait journey? Take Susie’s advice: choose a face that intrigues you, gather some simple materials, and give yourself permission to sketch with thread.
After all, as countless Stitch Club members have discovered, you might just find that creating portraits is less about perfect technique and more about joyful exploration of the faces and stories that matter to you.
Your journey begins January 2025
If you’re feeling inspired to explore portrait stitching, you’re in luck. This January, we’ll be bringing you a unique and 100% free opportunity to:
- Break down any face into simple shapes
- Learn Susie’s “sketchy stitch” technique to bring portraits to life
- Add depth and character to your work
Perhaps 2025 is your year to discover the joy of stitched portraits? As Susie reminds us, you don’t need hours of free time or years of experience – just a willingness to begin and a desire to connect with the faces that matter to you.
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