Hi! I’m Tamara
My stitching story
I first picked up embroidery during lockdown as a way to keep my hands busy and my mind off other things. I quickly realised it was just the creative outlet my life had been missing, and I’ve barely put my hoop down since!
At the time, I was a business writing trainer – I specialised in helping people explain complex ideas to their customers in plain English. I thought ‘What if I applied my skills to writing embroidery patterns?’ And once the idea took hold, I could not let it go. By October 2022 I had my first range of embroidery patterns together, and I set up The Hoop in Hand.
My creative process
Each pattern starts with a simple sketch. Then, I digitise my drawing to tidy up the lines, and I pick out my thread colours. I’ll rearrange lots of different skeins on the table until I settle on a colour scheme that sings. And then it’s time to get stitching up a sample.
I test-stitch every pattern myself – invariably by burning the midnight oil at the kitchen table before creeping up to bed. A tester pattern can take me up to a couple of weeks’ worth of evenings, stitching and tweaking until I’m 100% happy with it. Then, I’ll put all the instructions together, with full-colour diagrams and photos – every pattern is a real labour of love.
Thank you for being here
I’m thrilled to have now sold patterns in over 30 countries – I feel honoured that designs I’ve test-stitched at my kitchen table are now being enjoyed all over the world. It’s such a privilege to be able to share the joy embroidery brings me with you, and I’m extremely grateful to you for making it possible.
As featured in Love Embroidery Magazine ~
As featured in Love Embroidery Magazine ~
Featured designer
I was thrilled to be the featured designer in Issue 61 of Love Embroidery Magazine. Huge thanks again to Nikki Morgan and the team for inviting me to chat about my love of nature and all things vintage, and how both are a constant source of inspiration to me.
See what I’m up to on Instagram @thehoopinhand
