Amina K. is a young Russian embroiderer, generous and enthusiastic. I asked her a few questions about her work, failing to be able to meet her face to face!
I started embroidering in 2014 with the ribbon technique. To decorate the background of my embroidery, I started with a few surface stitches, with the help of online tutorials: stem stitch and simple loops. I had a lot of fun there and I gradually explored the other stitches.
Initially, it was just a matter of decorating a ribbon embroidery, but very quickly I found myself having a passion for surface embroidery. I still sometimes work with ribbons, but it was the embroidery floss that won me over.
I didn’t really feel the change taking place. I’ve always done things with my own hands: cutting, quilting, making soap … But they were hobbies. On the contrary, embroidery really entered my life as a friend: you could even say that today I am “married” to it!


I consider myself to be an aspiring embroidery artist. I hope that one day I can make it my job.
I always have a notebook with me, a piece of paper on which I draw my ideas. I don’t have a fixed process: sometimes I apply the colors immediately, sometimes they come while embroidering. It’s the same with the stitches I use: sometimes I have in mind the technique I’m going to use when I draw, sometimes not.
I love the warm, soft colors of the earth. But I’m also always trying out new colors and pattern combinations!
I don’t really have a favorite technique but at the moment I am working on what I call fine surface embroidery, with 1 or 2 strands of thread. I really like the long and short stitches but I don’t call my work “needle painting” because I’m not looking for a realistic effect, or imitating painting.
I would like to explore Crewel embroidery and stumpwork as well as gold embroidery. I only put my fingertips on the first ones, but I hope I can quickly dive into them quickly. On the other hand, I am not able to do several things at the same time, so you need a little patience.


I had a serious eye problem one night when I was embroidering in bad light. For 2-3 months I did not dare to touch a needle. I was very scared. It is important to know how to listen to yourself, to your body, even in your passion!
There are a lot of interesting artists out there, and I have a soft spot for Trish Burr and Hazel Blompkamp. Their books were the first to join my library. I also really like Sadako Totsuk* and Kazuko Aoki **, which I encourage you to discover.
Mary Corbet’s marvelous site is a very rich resource for learning about basic equipment and techniques.
And of course, my site is at your disposal (in English).
* Numerous books in Japanese. The Editions de Saxe published Delicate embroidery Hardanger in 2014.
** Numerous books in Japanese, several of which have been translated by Editions de Saxe, such as Le parfum des fleurs (2017)
All the pictures in this article are ©Amina K.

Various motifs taught by Amina K.

The content of this site is free and is not damaged by un-welcomed publicity. I do this work with love and passion but it requires a lot of time. I would like to continue to offer a wider market to our artists, to show how embroidery is a wonderful art. But I do need a little bit of help. If you feel like it, you can participate with a little donation to help me continue. I will be so grateful! Thank you! Claire
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