Several months ago one of well know UK cross-stitch magazines contacted me to ask a few questions about me and my business. Sadly, the interview has never been published because the magazine has removed the Stitcher Style section. I was a little gutter at first but sometimes things happen and we just need to accept it.
Since the interview has never been published, I decided to share a little bit about myself and my business here with you. So let's begin...
My name is Malgorzata Gren, however, I go by Yasmin. My pronouns are she/her.
- How did you first start cross-stitch designing?
I have been stitching for almost 9 years and during this time I always tend to change the patterns to make them more to my liking. This could be either adding elements like family initials or recharting details to reflect my nationality.
However, my proper design career started after attending my very first cross-stitch retreat in London.
In October 2022, I signed up for a stitcher weekend, Stitch in London, as a participant. Shortly after my admission, I received an email from the event organiser, Marie, asking to design an exclusive pattern for the event. I am not going to lie I was puzzled as to why would she ask me, but at the same time, I was thrilled.
I was very pleasantly surprised that my design was so well received and stitched by so many participants. During the event, Marie continuously tried to convince me to start designing as a profession but it was something I didn’t consider at all. Maybe because I was finishing my teaching degree and had different plans.
Moving forward to November, I found out that I was very privileged to secure my place in the London Marathon 2023 and run the event in aid of Mencap charity.
This was the turning point in my design journey. I immediately began planning my next moves to raise £2500 and tick off my biggest goal from my bucket list.
The first idea that popped into my head, to raise funds, was to design charity patterns. A week later I released 3 designs and I raised almost 50% of the sum. The support, I received from the cross-stitch community was incredible and I will never forget how much it meant to me.
All those wonderful experiences I had made me realise how much joy I felt when drawing and designing. This is why in December 2022 I decided to open my own company Yasmin’s Made with Love and started designing as a profession.
- Tell us more about Yasmin’s Made with Love. What inspired you to start your brand?
Yasmin’s Made with Love was born out of a passion for creating and making.
As a child, I was very artistic and creative. I always painted, drew, crocheted, or sewn. I have a degree in Textile and Fashion design and Art. I’m coming from the long line of crafters and makers. My upbringing and the environment I grew up in shaped me and had a massive influence on my design style.
I was born in Poland and for the first 20 years of my life, I spent cultivating and learning the traditions of my region. Zywiec, my hometown, is very well known for its folk art, craft fairs, gilds, and regional events. Culture and traditions are important to me and I feel like folk art and music live in me.
In my designs, I incorporate the elements of folk art; the colour, the shape, the outline, and the style. I’m very proud of where I come from and I want my heritage to be visible so everyone can learn about it.
As a stitcher, I’m a massive fan of designs showcasing cultural diversity and that’s the projects I’m mostly drawn to.
I want my brand to be known for its unique designs and style. I’m passionate about building a brand that is inclusive and unique.
For many years, I worked with children with special needs, and as a dyslexic person, I’m aware that sometimes reading and decoding symbols can be a great barrier for stitchers. This is why I’m very conscious about the way I design and chart my charts.
- How did you choose your business name?
Yasmin’s Made with Love was created to share my love for different crafts on various social media platforms. Although my birth name is Malgorzata, I’m known as Yasmin, or Yas for short. It is the name I chose for myself shortly after I got married to my Moroccan husband.
The part ‘Made with Love’ is the best description of my creations.
- What’s the secret to your design process and what do you enjoy most about it?
Most of my designs start on paper. I usually think about the animal or plant from a particular season and let my imagination flow. I own a small collection of beautifully illustrated books of animals, insects, and flowers and this is often the inspiration for me.
I love geometric designs and repetitive patterns and sometimes when I see a pattern on a building or milk carton, I think about how can I turn it into a cross-stitch.
Firstly, I draw the focal design and fully colour it. Then I scan my drawing to the computer and use it as an underlay. The details I usually draw directly on my computer. Once I’m happy with the result, I always print the pattern out to check if the symbols are clear and easily distinguishable. In the end, I floss toss my thread to check if the pallet looks cohesive and all shading is well balanced.
This is my favourite part of the design process. I love playing with colours. I often feel that colour is the language I understand and I’m able to express myself fully.
- How would you describe your design style? Which of your designs best showcases your style? What led you to design in this style?
My design style? Well, colourful, playful, and quirky sometimes.
Additionally, everything in my designs has an outline and definition. My designs so well reflect my personality. I’m fun and playful with a strong personality. My designs are like that too.
The strong outline of the design and the use of bright colours and combining them with contrasting fabrics give them a strong look. The whimsy lines and shapes give them more of a warm feel.
I’m a seasonal stitcher and designer. I love designing patterns and decorating my home for every occasion. However, autumn is my favourite.
I also love series. For example, Queen Bee was the first design of the Quaker series. It is a take on traditional Quaker motifs and realistic bee combined into a modern sampler style design. In the series can be found a Monarch, a Moth, a Dragonfly, a Peacock, and an Owl.
- What’s your favourite design and why? What are you most proud of?
My favourite design is Never Forget. This design captures deep appreciation for all of the amazing people whose support and dedication have made an immeasurable difference in my life. It is my way to say thank you.
- What do you hope people get from your designs?
I hope that people find my designs inspirational and timeless, and I hope that they learn to appreciate the diverse nature of the cross-stitch.
I hope that they will be braver when choosing brighter colours and experiment when using threads and fabrics.
- What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from turning your passion for cross stitch into a business?
Time management and commitments are much more demanding. When I used to stitch for pleasure, I never pressured myself to finish projects. I worked at my own pace and made changes as I went. Now, I can’t be as relaxed especially when I have new designs coming up and the models must be stitched by the given date.
As a one-person company, there is lots to handle; from daily emails, admins, and orders to distribution and delivery. I also like to stay connected with my customers and social media accounts, which again falls into the time management category.
The biggest lesson I have learned is that it is necessary to ask for and seek assistance. I usually like to do things myself because I like to be in control of my business. However, it is very overwhelming and stressful and I don’t need this pressure. I have a great husband, children, and friends whom I can rely on.
- What fun things can we expect from you in the future?
There are lots of new and exciting projects coming out soon. I have more stitch-alongs planned for next year. I will continue offering free charts on my Facebook page and more video tutorials for my YouTube channel.
I’m only hoping that Yasmin’s Made with Love will grow and more and more people will fall in love with my designs and continue stitching my projects.
Much love,
Yas