There's something undeniably joyful about stitching a canvas that feels full of personality - and that's exactly what makes Mopsey Designs so special. Known for her charming designs, playful motifs, and bright color palettes, Mopsey Designs brings a light-hearted, modern touch to classic needlepoint. In this month's Designer Showcase, we're shining a light on Mopsey Designs - her creative inspiration, her signature style, and the delightful canvases that continue to bring a smile to so many stitchers' faces.
Shop Mopsey Designs here.
What first sparked your interest in needlepoint?
I learned to needlepoint around the age of 6, and it has been something I have turned to for the last 30 years. I haven’t needlepointed every day, but I have always returned to it when I’ve needed calm, mindfulness, and a way to connect with myself. I left my job as an art therapist during COVID and needed something to do while I recovered from some serious burnout. I picked up a belt that was half finished and couldn’t put it down! I was stitching like crazy, all day, every day, and it really benefited my mental health. My partner caught on to how much I was stitching and how much needlepoint costs… and really encouraged me to use my art background to create canvases of my own. I showed some of my needlepoint friends, they loved the designs, and the rest is history! I’m fascinated by what needlepoint can do for one’s mental health, sense of community, and overall mindfulness. There is a lot of power in needlepoint.
Where did the name “Mopsey” come from?
Mopsey was my great-grandmother! She lived until I was 14, and we were very close. She lived on Nantucket Island year-round until she was 98. She taught me to needlepoint when I was 6 and fostered my love for the craft. She was friends with Erica Wilson and did a lot of design work alongside her. She was a powerhouse and the inspiration for my business! I feel like I’m always carrying on a piece of her through needlepoint.
What’s your favorite part of the design process?
I don’t think it's a surprise that I’m obsessed with color. I love studying color theory and the way we see, interpret, and understand color around us. My favorite part of the design process is when I can jump into finalizing the colors within a design and making sure they’re just so. For me, it is the most playful part of the process.
Where do you find inspiration for your next design?
Recently, I’ve been finding a lot of inspiration at the library during storytime with my son.
Children’s books are full of color and whimsy, which is something I strive to embody in my
designs. I also take inspiration from a lot of interior design, color palettes from graphic designers I admire, and the Maine coastline.
What was the first design you created - and why?
The first design I put on canvas was the “This is a high-class place, act respectable” phrase. I saw a sign with a similar phrase in a thrift store in Austin, T,X and thought it would make a great needlepoint pillow for my house. The first design that I feel embodied my aesthetic and design approach in needlepoint is Disco Lemonade, the first mandala in the series. That design lived in my head for almost a year before I put it on canvas. I wanted it to be perfect, so I was afraid to let it out of my head. It took a lot of math, which I’m not great at, and a lot of patience, but it became something pretty magical!
What’s your go-to decorative stitch?
-Skip Skip Tent!
If you had to describe your brand in a single sentence, what would it be?
Mopsey Designs embodies unique patterns, sophisticated color, and a family of talented artists.
What advice do you have for new stitchers?
Start with a project that you absolutely love because it will foster your love for the craft. It
doesn’t matter if it's an 18 mesh pillow, if you love the canvas, then you’ll fall in love with
needlepoint.
This or that
18 or 13 mesh? 13 mesh, scrunched up in hand.
Simple stitches / decorative stitches? Simple, I love a basketweave project
Stretcher bars/ stitching in-hand? Stitching in hand, almost always
Favorite project you’ve stitched - I just finished my son’s stocking, and it is to date my favorite project. I learned SO much while stitching and really pushed myself outside my comfort zone.
Top 3 must-have accessories - a neck lamp, 400 pairs of scissors, and a Mopsey glitter bag, of course!
