Birdhouse Square
It's not often that a relative newcomer (her first booklet
was just published in May of 1995) takes the needlework world
by storm. But that's exactly what happened to Sue Stehle and
just 2 years later, the popular Sekas & Co. collection included
27 leaflets and 26 chartpacks.
A Stitcher's Heart
As a self-taught knitter, needlepointer and cross stitcher
Sue further honed her skills working in a local needlework shop.
Her first designs actually came about as teaching patterns for
some classes at the shop. Her love of The CARON Collection's
Watercolours thread - especially Nefertiti, and the shops's huge
inventory of gold and silver paper inspired her first Stained
Glass Ornament design, one of a whole series that were to follow.
In October of 1994 Sue decided to focus more time on Sekas &
Co. and well, the rest is history.
Quilt Blocks Afghan
Sue recently filled us in on her lastest projects. She states,
"As I look back on the 5 years since I was featured on Caron's
Designer of the Month Spotlight, I have expanded my "counted-thread"
designs to over 100 designs and have recently begun painting
my designs on needlepoint canvas. I am still designing on 10ct
fabrics using a variety of stitches and Caron Collection Watercolours.
Some of my newer series include: "Patchwork Heart"
designs, "Quilt Blocks" (which have also been stitched
on an Afghan), Row Designs and I have just begun a series of
"Squares with Borders" Within the past year I have
been busy painting some of my more popular designs on 13, 16
and 18 mesh canvas. There are now 10 Painted Canvas designs available
(with more to be available soon). Each comes with a Stitch Guide"
Patriotic Heart
 |
Below are highlights of our original interview with
Sue:
Where did your design style
come from?
I'm really not sure. I know
that I'm not an artist. I'm more of a creative - idea person.
I think of myself as having "kindergarten" art talent
and I do like simple colorful designs. I also love Alphabet samples,
that's why my mini-samplers are designed with an alphabet.
Where do you get the inspiration
for your designs?
Some
of my ideas just come, seemingly, out of nowhere, others come
from stitchers. The idea to do Watercolours Butterflies came
from a lady from New Jersery who called to ask if I had thought
of doing butterflies. Others come from shop owners -- I just
received a list of nine possible Watercolour designs. Sometimes
just picking up one of the Watercolours threads gives me an idea.
Do you have a memorable
experience?
I
think my most memorable stitching experiences come from teaching.
I love to hear someone say " I can do this!" and "This
is really fun! |
What design are you proudest
of and why?
I'm
proudest of the Watercolour Pumpkins design because I accomplished
what I was trying to achieve -- to get the vertical texture of
the pumpkins. (See the design featured below.)
Do you have any other hobbies
or interests?
Right now I don't seem
to have time for too many other things. I do enjoy decorating
my house for holidays/seasons so my seasonal designs fit perfectly.
Sekas & Co. booklets are available at local needlework
shops throughout the U.S. If you'd like a complete list of the
Sekas & Company line please e-mail Sue at: sekas@
aol.com.
All of the Sekas & Co. designs can be seen on Sue's website
at http://www.sekas-and-co.com
Click Here for Sue's Original FREE Pattern
Below is a sampling of some of the Sekas & Co. patterns.
For a larger photo and detailed description of each booklet click
on the photo or name.
