Exploring Etsy – Modern Floss

Exploring Etsy with loadofolbobbins!

One of the things I enjoy most about putting together these monthly snippets of gorgeous needlecraft for you all, is a chance to dive in to the world of a fellow maker who has their own unique and stunning perspective. It’s even better when I can introduce you all to someone who’s just starting out on their own exciting needlecraft adventure, so when they make it big we can all say: I was there from the start, one of the original fans! I hope you will all follow this month’s featured maker for many years to come and see how her work continues to evolve and delight. So please put your virtual hands together for the wonderful Charlotte Taylor of ‘Modern Floss’.

Modern Floss - Embroidery Hoops

Charlotte is 32 and based in Sheffield. She’s a qualified geography teacher and special needs practitioner and worked as a special needs teacher for several years in London. Last year was a bit of a turning point in Charlotte’s life as she was treated for cervical cancer and through that process she realised that she needed to make a change, which is how embroidery and ‘Modern Floss’ came about. Having always made things and being a creative person, just not in a formal sense, the career change wasn’t too surprising for her or her loved ones. ‘It’s been super enjoyable and I love being able to make things on a daily basis.’

Modern Floss - So Hot Hoop

Modern Floss - Fearless Hoop

What is your earliest stitching memory?

My earliest stitching memory is actually quite vivid. I remember making a cross stitch with our babysitter at about 9 or 10 years old. It was of two theatre masks, the comedy and tragedy type, with the word ‘mum’ stitched underneath. I used a pattern and chose it specifically. It seems like an odd choice now! Perhaps not a design I’ll be revisiting. I’ve still got it somewhere 🙂

Modern Floss - Christmas Decoration Hoop

Modern Floss - Christmas Decoration Hoops

Modern Floss - Noel Hoops

What fires your imagination?

My tastes are quite eclectic. Visually I like vivid colours, graphic abstract patterns and a sense of texture. This is true of the imagery I like, but also what I like about interiors, architecture and fabric. However, I also have a contrasting side that is more classic and understated. I love the Art Deco period, the clean lines, the geometry. I also live my life in black clothing. EVERYTHING is black. So I’m a bit of a mix. I like to play on using type with bold colours and a loose approach with paint to add texture and a sense of movement. I like the contrast. I like using embroidery too as it’s traditionally a typically female pastime and in some of my pieces I reference my own life experience as a woman, so it feels quite fitting. I won’t get deeply into a discussion about feminist art forms and the position of craft in the art world, but that is definitely an area of interest to me.

Modern Floss - Hot Stuff Hoop

Modern Floss - D Embroidery Hoop

The unique combination of typography, paint and stitch in Charlotte’s work is exciting and creates really vibrant and energetic work. I encourage one and all of you to pop along to her shop and show just how supportive this wonderful community can be to those newcomers just embarking on a life in stitch. You can also follow her journey on Instagram and Facebook.

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Jessica Taylor aka Loadofolbobbins is a Textile Artist and Illustrator based by the sea in Portsmouth. At her happiest with a needle and thread, with a passion for genealogy she often explores old photographs in her Textile art. With her fingers in many creative pies she loves to experiment with new techniques, creating illustrated and stitched goodies for her Etsy shop.

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