Anatomy of stitching: the delightful and surreal art of Hannah B Creative

Nurse and creative stitcher Hannah Bentley of Hannah B. Creative designs and hand embroiders all sorts of original and fun hand embroidered art work from her Christchurch home. Her modern, quirky take on traditional hoop embroidery is at times beautiful, at times humorous, and sometimes fantastically surreal.


 

 
What do you make?
Original and fun hand embroidered art work.

How did you get into your craft?
I have loved trying out all sorts of crafts over the years but hand embroidery has become my true passion. I was inspired by my Nana’s embroidery that was handed down to me and I wanted to try and make it more modern. I bought a pattern online about three years ago to try it out and see if it was something I could do, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
I am completely self taught in embroidery. I have learned new stitches by researching online and through reading embroidery books. I have improved my drawing skills and photography skills also as I have progressed along the way and I would love to eventually take a class on photoshop.

Your favourite materials, tools and processes?
I learned very quickly that if you want a great finished product, then you need to be using the best materials. I only use linen fabric with top quality embroidery threads for all art works. I have a pair of vintage scissors that are still razor sharp that I use for cutting my fabric, and I couldn’t get by without my iPad Pro which is where I draw up my designs.


 

 

 
Tell us about some of the techniques involved in producing one of your pieces
Every piece starts from an idea in my head which I then try to reproduce on paper or my iPad. Some ideas really work, and others flop. Once I’m happy with a design I print it out and then trace the design on to the fabric. Depending on the detail involved, a hoop can take from as little as an hour to finish, to several days. All pieces are washed and dried, secured in the bamboo hoop and covered with card on the back for a tidy presentation.

What inspires you?
By day I am a registered nurse, so a lot of my inspiration comes from that. I love stitching anatomical pieces, but I also love embroidered flowers so I often will mix the two together which has a really lovely effect.

Describe your creative process:
Inspiration can strike anywhere at anytime. I keep a notebook full of drawings and ideas ready to be tested out when I have the time. Sometimes my head is buzzing with hundreds of ideas, and then other times I hit a wall.

Describe your workspace:
I am lucky enough to have a sleepout attached to the garage which I have converted in to my studio. The majority of the designing, putting the design on fabric, and the finishing process is done in there, but the good thing with embroidery is that it can be taken with you can done anywhere. Usually for me it involves sitting in front of the TV watching Netflix with my hubby while stitching away.


 

 

 
Your favourite feedback from a customer:
“Such a cool, unique item, down to the wrapping. Thanks very much!”

What are you currently listening to?
I am a massive Amy Winehouse fan. I find I can go back to her albums time and time again and never tire from them. Apart from that I love listening to throwback hits on Spotify.

Recommend an album:
Anything by Etta James or Nina Simone.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading The Binding by Bridget Collins. I’m not a huge reader and it takes a lot to get me hooked on a book, but this one so far has captured my attention and I can’t put it down.


 

 
A favourite quote:
“Have no fear of perfection, you’ll never achieve it.” – Salvador Dali. I came across this quote recently and it was a timely reminder to stop expecting too much of myself.

Tell us about your pets:
I am a huge animal lover. I currently have two cats, Benny and Izzy who are 11 and 12 years old. I also have a two year old Swedish Vallhund dog called Tommy. Swedish Vallhunds are relatively unheard of (think Corgi crossed with a husky) but are starting to grow in popularity. He is such a smart wee boy and a great family dog, if only he didn’t bark quite so much!

What would your advice be for those starting out in a crafty business?
Just do it! When I first started out I had no idea what I was really doing but you will learn so much along the way. My embroidery has improved over time, my photography skills have improved and I know so much more now about selling my embroidery online compared to even a year ago. You learn through your failures and you begin to understand what works and what doesn’t. You will also grow to new heights with your work and be taken in new directions that you never expected when
you first started out.


 

 

 
Why do you think it’s important to buy handmade and/or locally made goods?
To me, handmade items just have so much more meaning. There is a story behind them. You just know a lot of time and effort has gone in to creating it, compared to mass produced items.

What was the last handmade item you bought and what attracted you to it?
A beautiful abstract painting from The Encraftment Market. The mix of bright colours drew me in. I love bright, happy, pops of colour.

What’s in store for 2019?
I have new designs being released all the time and I have recently started creating patterns for those who like my designs but want to have a go at stitching them themselves, which is very exciting. I am also planning on releasing embroidered necklaces and key rings later in the year and may also release complete embroidery kits. I’d love to add more Kiwiana pieces to my shop so watch this space!


 

 
Prize draw!
Hannah has generously offered an awesome prize for one lucky Felt reader of her featured anatomical heart embroidery (see above). This hand stitched anatomical heart hoop art has been hand drawn and then carefully stitched using top quality black threads. It is presented in a classic five inch embroidery hoop, ready to hang. If you would like a chance to win this great prize, just leave a comment below, telling us what you like about Hannah’s story and her embroidered creations. The draw closes at 5pm on Monday 18 March and is open to New Zealand residents only.

23 thoughts on “Anatomy of stitching: the delightful and surreal art of Hannah B Creative

  1. Hannah’s art is beautiful, I enjoyed learning of her process from conception to completion.
    I’m a sucker for embroidery and impressed by her thread organisation.

  2. This was a great story. Too hear that she started only three years ago gives me confidence that I can still find my own creative outlet.

  3. The bananas hoop is brilliant. Great modern take on embroidery and fresh ideas. There seems to be a theme of health care workers here. I work in cardio-thoracics so the heart, lungs and geometric heart all appeal to me. But the bananas one best describes the chaos at home between the hours of 3-5pm.

  4. Fascinating story ! I am a nurse and embroiderer. My son is a doctor and has just started working in cardiology….would love to give him this as a gift. ……. but it would be very hard to part with it though !

  5. I’d love to win that heart. Im a nurse too. Used to work a starship cardiology. And so that piece would represent a significant time ♡♡♡

  6. Gosh her work is beautiful! I love that she is modernising embroidery. I am wanting to get back into cross stitch but all the patterns and kits I come across just don’t catch my fancy, I want something more modern.

  7. Such a great story and beautiful art! I love that Hannah creates such unique beautiful pieces and I also love her favourite quite from Salvador Dali – such a good one

  8. ahh so cool – I was interested to read that you’re self taught. When I finished University and before I got a “real” job, I actually enrolled in an embroidery course through the correspondence school. I wonder if they still offer it??

  9. I love Hannah! What’s wonderful about her creations is that embroidery can look and feel quite ‘nana’. But Hannah’s work is a bit subversive, and once you look closer, you see there’s a twist: the anatomical – rather than symmetrical cartoon-style – version of a heart is unexpected, good luck cat has cartoon hypno eyes, and what at first glance looks like your grandma’s floral needlepoint, is emblazoned with salty language.

  10. I love Hannah! What’s wonderful about her creations is that embroidery can look and feel quite ‘nana’. But Hannah’s work is a bit subversive, and once you look closer, you see there’s a twist: the anatomical – rather than symmetrical cartoon-style – version of a heart is unexpected, good luck cat has cartoon zombie eyes, and what at first glance looks like your grandma’s floral needlepoint, is emblazoned with salty language.

  11. I enjoyed reading about your process,
    And its very cool that you were inspired by items that your Nana made, how lovely!
    I am also a self taught crafter and I enjoy learning new stitches etc. The internet is great for that!
    I look forward to getting one of your kits one day 🙂

  12. “Have no fear of perfection, you’ll never achieve it.” – Salvador Dali. Thanks for sharing this quote! Love the heart design. I’d love to know more about the kits to get started with embroidery !

  13. Great hearing Hannah’s story and what inspires her.
    Love love love the anatomical designs and the Heart piece resonates with me too (I work at the Heart Foundation, lol) and the lucky cat with it’s crazy eyes is classic ?

  14. I’ve always told myself I wanted to start a crafty business and already have lots of ideas in mind. I found this article encouraging, especially when her advice is to ‘Just do it!’ 🙂 The fact that she also has another job and improved so much even within a year is reassuring for cautious beginners, like me! I love looking at the photos of her studio and the different styles of embroidery designs.

  15. I love getting to see behind the scene – the photos of Hannah’s studio are so cool. I’m excited to check out the necklaces when they come out, the work is so gorgeous. Also her dog is so stinking cute!!

  16. Oh, I love these. It’s so nice to see great original work, I love all of them. The lucky cat’s eye made me think of the Hypnotoad.

  17. This was a great read! So interesting to hear about her creative process. As a nurse too I know it’s really important to have a creative outlet. I adore the heart pattern and would have in my office at work.

  18. Love these pieces! Especially the sheep and the heart….but going to check out your shop now. Good on your for following your creative side!

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