Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Weimers.
Sara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My cross stitch journey started when I was 8. My mom was a prolific cross stitcher and she passed down her knowledge to me. I remember my first piece was a small piece that said “Home Sweet Home” and I made it for my great grandma who was moving into a nursing home. I fell in love with cross stitch instantly. Years later, in 2014, when I was recently post natal, I needed to create and do something with my hands. I picked up cross stitch again. This time around, I wanted to find patterns that were more my personality. Nerdy, pop culture focused. There were a lot of options and I started small, with little Mario Brothers characters. I found that when I posted my finished work online, people really responded to it. I got a few people asking for custom pieces and it kept me going with the art form. I had started playing around with creating my own patterns in 2018ish and then in 2020, the world shut down due to Covid. I had to quit my full time job as a massage therapist, but still needed to provide some income for our family. I decided to put that focus into my art. I committed to creating my own patterns and stitching full time. 2020 was pivotal in many respects. Not only had Covid shut down the world, but there was a racial and social justice movement happening. My art became a way to express my anger, fear, hope, dissent, and the cross stitch community was ready. I started posting more online, gained a decent following, raised thousands for causes I believed in and I learned first hand how powerful art could be. When the world opened back up, I started doing in person vending events and fairs. It was wonderful to connect with my actual community and help people feel seen with the type of art I was creating. It gave me motivation to keep going. Being a full time artist is not an easy thing and can be hard to sustain in a Capitalistic society. Over the years, I have honed in on my style, what brings me joy, and to push myself to become a better artist and to show up authentically. It’s very queer focused with elements of pop culture, political dissent, and just some silliness. I always say “it’s made with love…..and probably some swear words”. I have expanded my craft to embroidery, needle felting, and have my original designs on stickers, clothing, and kits. I want art to be accessible. It has brought me so much joy and I want others to experience that in their own lives.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been many challenges. From self doubt, to financial challenges, the road has not been easy. The first year or so of me doing this full time, my creativity poured out of me. I designed new designs each week, sometimes every day. Then, a creative block hit and I felt honestly scared. Would I ever design something I liked again? What if no one else liked it? What happens if I slow down? Will my community just move on? Then, I had this thought. “Musicians play the same songs over and over. They have a deep back catalogue that fans obsess over. What if I just use my back catalogue?” It took so much pressure off of myself. I had a great back catalogue that I could pull from! I also have a wonderfully supportive partner and support team who is always encouraging me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I hand design and hand stitch cross stitch and embroidery. I take an ancient and primarily “female” art form and modernize it for the current societal climate. My designs tend to be clever, funny, and a little spicy. There are a lot of stitchers that are my contemporaries, but I feel like mine stand out due to their bright color palettes, use of florals, and approachable simplicity. There are so many moments in this journey that has made me proud, but the first time having my art featured in an art gallery felt surreal. Fiber arts are often looked down on as “hobbies” in the art world, and it made me feel so seen and accepted as an artist when that happened.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
We were a big sports family and when I was 15, somehow my dad got us tickets to the Seattle Mariner vs. New York Yankee playoff game. This was the game with “The Double” where Ken Griffey Jr. scored from First on Edgar Martinez’s double. It was surreal. I swear Edgar called his shot, but I could just be building it up in my mind. The pile up of the players celebrating at Home Plate, Joey Cora coming out to take photos of the crowd so he could remember was amazing. I know this is niche, but baseball fans from the PNW will totally know what I’m talking about, lol. Going to sporting events as a kid was a great way to bond with my dad and we still talk about that game.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.institchesbysara.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/institchesbysara
