I have stitched all of my adult life and tried my hand at many forms of needle work, from embroidery to crochet. While no one in my family introduced me to these things, my Grandfather was a tailor who owned a shop in Augusta, Georgia. My mother used to work there and hated it. My only clear memories of Augusta are from Zada's workshop, watching those folks turn out garments and the Coke® machine that had ice cold drinks for a dime. Recently, I found a blow up of an old photo of my mom and her father in the old shop with a customer. Sorry about the quality, but I have not yet located the original or gotten a confirmed date. I expected the clothing, but was surprised by all the bolts of of fabric loaded on tables and shelves. Some were on special for a fifteen to twenty five cents a yard! Shirts were a mere $1.49 to $2.49. The photo hangs it in my studio, so that when people see my stash, they will know I come by it honestly.
I have mastered many techniques and skills over the years and create my own designs, teach and write about needlework. My interests are varied, but surface embroidery, crazy quilting and whole cloth quilting are my current primary interests. I also wrote resource guides on a number of techniques: Blackwork, Crewel, Punch Needle, Redwork, Shadow Work, Stumpwork, Tassel-making, Biscornu Basics, etc. While I don't consider myself the ultimate expert in any of these areas, I do have a baccalaureate degree in History and I have done a lot of reading and research that I thought I would organize and make available for others. I eagerly consume as much information on Needlework Techniques as possible, which is evident by my extensive personal library. More resource guides will be coming in the near future.
I struggled with the semantics of whether I wanted to be called a craftsman, artisan or artist and eventually settled on artisan. After some confidence building experiences, I decided that what I do qualifies as art and I acquiesced to the heady title of needle artist. Several years ago I joined the staff of the newly reconstituted CQMagOnline.com, the first online magazine by crazy quilters for crazy quilters, so I have the alternate moniker of Assistant Editor. More recently, I quit my university job and became a full time housewife. It was a scary life change, but I am learning to adjust.
One of the most exiting and time consuming features of Rissa's Pieces is the stitch dictionary, which I hope will continue to grow and be useful. One of the things that sets it apart, is that I have included many diagrams for adding beads to traditional stitches, as well as those specifically for bead embroidery techniques. I will also offer a selection of seam treatments diagrams.
Photos and scans of some of my work available on this site in my gallery. I wish I had better documented my work over my lifetime, but I have improved over last few years, although some things seem to slip through the cracks. There is a substantial and diverse range of items in the gallery, which makes it a very large page that make take a long time to load over a slow connection.
There are also a few free patterns and line drawings available here. This is an area I hope to expand in the coming months.
I am a Life Member of the Embroiderers' Guild of America (EGA). I helped charter Mississippi NeedleArts (MSNA) as the only chapter of the EGA in the state and currently serve as President. In a new chapter, you wear a lot of hats, so I also organize the website and newsletter for our group. I am also an active member of CyberStitchers, the online Chapter of the EGA, where I serve as Vice President and Region Representative. Recently, I volunteered to fill out the remainder of the term for the Education Chair of the Tennessee Valley Region (TVR) of the EGA. Obviously, I feel it is important to volunteer and serve.
I am also a member of the Chimneyville Weavers and Spinners Guild and the Thread Artist Guild.
Please feel free to contact me regarding reprint rights on any of my articles, web guides, pattern or stitch diagrams. I am an avid supporter of EGA and other nonprofit embroidery, sewing and quilting groups. I frequently give my permission for reprints, but I always require that a copy of the newsletter with the article, diagram or announcement for the class which will utilize the educational materials be mailed to me hard copy for me records and that full credit be given to this website.
I am also available for teaching and lectures, please do not hesitate to contact me regarding class proposals!
Thanks for stopping by!
- Rissa Peace Root
