We’ve some fantastic columns on Mr X Stitch and we wanted to celebrate the authors who share their love of needlecraft with you. This time it’s our Digitizing Guru, Erich Campbell!
Name
Erich Campbell
Location
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Specialism
Digitizing and Design for Machine Embroidery – Difficult designs and efficient production methods are my specialty. I try not to use stitches I don’t mean to, but I always use the ones I need. Other than that, I write *a great deal* for the industry in Stitches Magazine, Printwear Magazine, and belong to several trade boards and groups and occasionally appear on podcasts. Google me- the ‘h’ on Erich is a blessing for SEO.
Favourite Colour
Sincerely, it’s Madeira Rayon 1070 – Vegas Gold – Looks great on dark ground materials, just killer.
Favourite Film
Probably Fifth Element- I shudder to admit it, though. I’m sure I should either like something entirely more artsy/obscure or geeky, but if Fifth Element is on, I’m probably watching it.
Favourite Band
Another tough one – my music tastes change wildly with mood- One day I’ll be listening to Neal Hellman on Mountain Dulcimer ( which I also play) another day fairly hardcore rap, another day grunge from my high-school years, and the next I’ll be on to something electronic (like Dysphemic & Miss Eliza). Soundgarden was my go-to in my formative years, so how about that?
Favourite Book
The Elder or Poetic Edda is a big one for me. I was once a Medievalist in training and my love of early Medieval Scandinavia/Iceland will never die.
Tell us a joke
How about a meme?
I’m a large fellow with big hands, and this is sometimes the way I feel when I’m having a bad day threading a multi-head machine. (12 heads x 15 needles, people- do that before your morning coffee some time.)
A little piece of wisdom if you please
Speaking of the Poetic Edda:
The witless man | is awake all night,
Thinking of many things;
Care-worn he is | when the morning comes,
And his woe is just as it was
Havamal, Stanza 23
Thanks Erich! Ghost in the Embroidery Machine is on the second Sunday of each month, and is packed with tips and wisdom for those of you that want to master machine embroidery. Here’s three posts you ought to check out!


