Makers Outside: Rosanna Diggs
“Stitch your next adventure” with nature embroidery
Welcome to another edition of the Souls Like Wheels newsletter! This week I’m introducing an interview-based segment called Makers Outside.
What is Makers Outside? This special publication is your chance to meet artists who are “getting after it” outdoors and in the studio, whose time spent in nature is essential to their craft. I hope you enjoy it!
Get to Know Rosanna Diggs Embroidery
Rosanna Diggs is a modern embroidery artist based out of Port Orchard, Washington. She designs and produces eco-friendly embroidery kits featuring natural beauty scenes like this:
Rosanna’s designs convey the beauty of nature and are inspired by her outdoor adventures. And with the tagline “stitch your next adventure” she invites you to connect with nature through the creative and relaxing art of embroidery.
Already drooling over her work? Me too! Don’t worry — after you read her full interview below, you can shop the complete, eco-friendly kits and patterns on her website.
The Full Spotlight: An Interview with Rosanna Diggs
What do you make and what makes it unique?
I design patterns and produce small batches of eco-friendly embroidery kits. Our designs are about half landscapes and half botanical/natural beauty.
I think our designs are unique because they look complicated but they really aren’t! I pride myself on writing excellent instructions for all our patterns, and I put a great deal of thought into designing our kits.
Why? I know what it’s like to get frustrated starting a new hobby when it’s not a lack of skill that holds you back – it’s the cheap supplies or not knowing what to purchase in the first place.
I want to set beginners up for success! So our kits are complete (just add scissors!), and contain everything you need to make your project using high quality supplies.
How did you get started in embroidery?
I learned to embroider when I was 12 and was taught by my mother – I’m originally from Appalachia and all our people did some kind of handwork. I’ve been crafty as long as I can remember!
Embroidery took a back burner for a long time (I really love quilting and cross stitching), but I was a stay-at-home mom/homeschooler when we lived in California and I wanted a way to contribute to the household. I came close to starting a finished quilt business but somewhere in there I came across a cross stitch designer on Instagram, which then pointed me towards modern embroidery.
With embroidery, I could make my own patterns and stitch whatever I wanted – that was a huge light bulb moment for me! I started photographing flowers when I would go for a run and coming back to sketch and embroider them. The business blossomed from there!
What are your outdoor passions and favorite activities?
As an individual I love going for runs! I’ve always found it therapeutic, especially if it’s a run through the woods. As a family we love hiking and camping and do it as often as we can!
How does nature and the outdoors influence your art?
Our tagline is “stitch your next adventure” and we see that as a double entendre.
For one, our designs lean more and more towards adventurous landscapes. Even if you can’t visit Hanauma Bay, you can stitch it and spend hours thinking about it.
On the other hand, my kits teach folks how to stitch and equip them with the tools to draw their own designs. I love that after stitching a few kits folks can go offroading and stitch anything they can think of with the tools and knowledge they've gained.
How does your craft help you in other areas of your life?
I have always needed some kind of creative outlet – it’s therapeutic. I often call embroidery my “craft therapy.”
Now that it’s also my business, I’ve leaned into knitting in my down time so I don’t get burned out. I was taught to knit in February 2020 by Kalliope of Anzula, and it was so timely! I joke that nothing I’ve made fits but that’s not the point – stockinette keeps my hands busy!
Learn Embroidery with Rosanna
Want to learn more about Rosanna’s work? Heck, ready to pick up a needle and embroider a nature scene as gorgeous as this coastal view?
I’ve got you covered! Check out these links to get started:
Shop the complete, eco-friendly kits (just add scissors!) and patterns at her website and on Etsy
Connect with Rosanna on Instagram HERE and find her on the Makers App (search for @RosannaDiggs)
Action Steps:
❤️ Show your appreciation for Rosanna’s work: If you loved learning about her embroidery art as much as I did, let us know! Reply to this email or leave a comment below to start the conversation.
🎨Want to be featured as the next Maker Outside? I’m currently booking more interviews, so let’s chat! Reply to this newsletter to get started.
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