On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about wool, texture, and embroidery with my guest, Sue Spargo.
Fresh Cut by Sue Spargo.
Sue is an internationally renowned designer, teacher, and textile artist. She’s authored several books including Creative Stitching (affiliate link) and teaches on Craftsy as well as keeping up a rigorous travel schedule. Thirty five of her quilts were exhibited at the International Quilt Show in Houston in 2017 and in Chicago in 2018. Born in Zambia and raised in South Africa, Sue’s work is influenced by the color, energy, and simplicity of traditional African design. Today, her business is based in Ohio where a staff that includes several of her children prepare and ship a wide range of hand dyed and mill dyed wools, threads, kits, notions, and patterns from SueSpargo.com.
Mill dyed wool by Sue Spargo.
Eleganza thread by Sue Spargo for Wonderfil.
Sue’s first book, Creative Stitching.
In this conversation, Sue begins by describing the scope of her business as it looks right now. She then traces how she got to this point. Sue is formally trained as a nurse and began taking classes and working in the fiber arts when she moved to the US and didn’t have a license to continue to work in that field. Over time she began exploring and perfecting techniques in wool applique, embroidery, and embellishment.
Sue talks about how her partnership with Wonderfil came about and why it’s been a great collaboration. Sue was very early on the web (her site launched in 2002) and she self-published her books with great success. From the start, Sue has been running a block-of-the-month program and today it has 1,200 subscribers.
In Full Bloom by Sue Spargo.
Students in one of Sue’s classes show off their work.
Sue explains why she doesn’t sell her quilts. She also talks about how she has successfully employed many of her family members in her business over the years including her father, her sister, and three of her children.
And, of course, I ask Sue to recommend great stuff she’s enjoying right now. Sue recommends:
- Japanese Stitches Unraveled by Wendy Bernard (affiliate link)
- Lazy Girl Designs patterns
Catch up with Sue on Instagram and on her blog and website.
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This episode is sponsored by STITCHES Midwest 2018. Exclusively for Craft Industry Alliance listeners, you can get 20% OFF STITCHES Midwest 2018 classes and events by visiting www.STITCHES.events/Midwest and entering the coupon code MIDWEST18WSN at check-out. With stimulating classes and shopping for ALL— knitters, crocheters, weavers, AND sewers, quilters, and others interested in all things yarn AND fabric—you won’t want to miss this amazing show. You can learn more at www.STITCHES.events/Midwest
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I couldn’t get on to hear this no matter what I did.. so disappointed!
Hi Debbie, I’m happy to help. Where did you click? Sometimes readers don’t realize that they need to click on the green triangle inside the green circle that’s at the very bottom of the post. That’s the player that will stream the audio. The other option is to listen to the episode on iTunes. Do you have an iPhone?
What a treat it was to learn about Sue Spargo’s creative journey! I love her vibrant colored designs. She is such a talented artist.
I was surprised to learn that she didn’t think there was a consistent source of mill dyed wool in the United States, so she created her own. I have purchased wool from the Dorr Mill Store (https://dorrmillstore.com/site/products/category/dorr_wools/86 ) for years. They have beautiful mill dyed wools as well as textured wools.
Thanks so much for this awesome podcast Abby! I am a fan of Sue Spargo and have watched her work evolve over the year. She has been an inspiration to me. Great job. Thanks for all you offer. You are an excellent resource! Anne
Thank you so much for listening to the podcast, Anne.
cannot get pay to go thur have tried 20 or more times
Hi Wilma,
Are you trying to purchase something from Sue? Please reach out to her directly.
Ya, you got me back into doing embroidery.. thank you. Love your work.