From Needle and Thread to Colourful Works of Art - Meet Charlotte from CJ's Atelier
What happens when a love of textiles meets a willingness to experiment? For Somerset-based embroidery artist and professional seamstress Charlotte, the result is a wonderfully colourful world of intricate stitching, beautiful beadwork and richly textured designs.
The creative talent behind CJ's Atelier, Charlotte has developed her distinctive embroidery style through years of self-taught experimentation, drawing inspiration from nature, botanical forms, storybooks and fairytales. Combining traditional hand stitches with an incredible variety of beads, threads and textures, she transforms simple materials into extraordinary pieces of textile art.
But Charlotte's passion for creativity goes well beyond her own work. From professional sewing and giving garments a new lease of life to sharing her knowledge through workshops, she's a firm believer in the importance of learning, experimenting and bringing people together through making.
In this month's Maker Spotlight, we explore Charlotte's creative journey, the inspiration and techniques behind her beautiful embroidery, and why she believes anyone can pick up a needle and discover the joy of stitching.
Tell us a little about yourself.
Who is Charlotte, and where did your love of sewing and textiles begin?
We'd love to know whether creativity was always part of your life and how you eventually found your way to embroidery.
I was always really creative when I was young and loved drawing and painting. I did a foundation art degree, went to university to study Fashion Textiles, but transitioned to Interior Textiles and Surface Design. This is when I fell in love with pattern design and screen printing. I kind of dipped in and out of creative projects since then, but during a particularly hard time in my life almost 10 years ago, I picked up a needle and thread and one of my old sublimation prints from uni and started with french knots. It’s kind of built from there and I’m fully self taught. I feel like it’s such an expansive subject with so much to learn, but I just love it as a medium for my creative ideas and outlet. I’m heavily inspired by flora and fauna, story books and fairytales, and I love to experiment with producing this sort of imagery on fabric.
You're a professional seamstress as well as an embroidery artist. Which came first, and how did embroidery develop from your wider sewing practice?
They both developed at the same time really! I took on a role as a technician in a fashion and textiles department and being back in a creative environment really encouraged me to develop my own practical and creative skills. Since then I’ve worked in a few different businesses developing my skills as a seamstress - from aerospace, to high end womenswear and campervan pop top roofs. I also like taking on projects such as campervan cushions and repairs and alterations. I also did a brief stint in a bridal alteration shop - I just want to learn and develop as much as possible!
Your embroidery has such a distinctive style – particularly your use of beads, texture, colour and three-dimensional details. How did you develop the style we see in your work today?
Was it something you consciously worked towards, or did it emerge naturally through experimenting?
Thank you! It naturally emerged through experimentation. I can’t even remember when I first picked up the beads, I think initially I used some sequins or something in some of my earlier embroideries and then it developed from there. I am obsessed with trying out new colours and types of beads!
Where do you find inspiration for your embroidery, and how does a new piece usually begin?
Do you start with a clear idea or drawing, choose your colours and materials first, or allow the design to evolve as you stitch?
I usually have a subject or flowers which inspires the embroidery - I have done one based on the secret garden, then also succulents, roses and spring gardens etc. I love producing more organic shapes in an abstract way. Once I have an idea in mind I’ll sketch it out, then pick out colours and decide on the base fabric - I really love natural dyeing so will often use spinach, avocado or tea to dye some linen or cotton.
Beads have become a really striking feature of your work. What do they add for you that you don't get from thread alone?
And for someone who's never tried bead embroidery, is it as intricate and difficult as it looks?!
I think it gives the embroidery a lot more depth, using just thread isn’t for me - I love to use as many different types of threads and beads as possible! I don’t just use six-strand cotton but also coton perle and metallic threads, all in different thicknesses. I also use a huge variety of beads in different sizes and finishes, metallic, frosted, silver lined, pearl, opaque etc. I don’t think it’s too difficult! Once you get the hang of working with them it’s such a relaxing way to stitch and the opportunities are endless.
One of the things we love about your work is the way traditional hand-stitching techniques can become something very contemporary. How important is experimentation to you?
Are there particular stitches, techniques or materials you find yourself returning to again and again?
I absolutely love using very basic stitches including back stitch, satin stitch and split stitch. Anything else I don’t think really goes with my work. I think I just like to bring in a variety of textures into my work rather than different types of stitches. I also like experimenting with some raised embroidery techniques, using layers of felt or stitches underneath.
With such detailed work, is perfectionism ever something you have to contend with?
What would you say to a maker who is so worried about getting something "right" that it stops them experimenting or enjoying the process?
I am a bit of a perfectionist and can spend ages mulling over one area. I can also at the same time be a bit impatient to get to the end to see how it comes together! I do need to remind myself all the time that it’s about the process, not the finished piece, although that is nice to get to!
Alongside creating your own work, you undertake professional sewing, alterations and bespoke projects.
Does sewing for other people fulfil a different creative need from embroidery? And do skills from one side of your work ever find their way into the other?
Yes I think my skills transfer across all the time. I strive for an incredibly high level of detail and accuracy in my work which has definitely helped in my sewing work. I love working on various projects and helping others breathe new life into old garments, or something bespoke - I think that’s something really special and love to see more of it.
You also share your skills through sewing and embroidery workshops, including classes at Material Needs in Somerset.
What do you enjoy most about teaching other people? Is there a particular moment when you see things suddenly "click" for someone that you never get tired of?
I really love to teach! There is nothing better than seeing someone come in a bit unsure, but leaving with a new found confidence and enthusiasm to work on their sewing and creative projects! It’s such a lovely space to be with other like-minded people, bounce ideas off each other and develop your skills. Sewing and embroidery are such satisfying things to learn.
For someone looking at your embroidery and thinking, "I'd love to be able to do that, but I wouldn't know where to start", what would you tell them?
Do people need lots of sewing or embroidery experience before trying one of your workshops?
Just start with the basics - a bit of fabric, an embroidery hoop, a needle and some thread. It really doesn’t have to be pretty or mean anything. Find imagery you’re inspired by or buy a kit so you can learn the basics. You don’t need to know anything to come to one of my workshops! They are suitable for complete beginners and you're supported along the way.
What's next for CJ's Atelier?
Are there particular embroidery techniques you'd like to explore, pieces you're working towards, or more workshops and classes you'd like to develop?
I’d love to develop more in depth embroidery workshops, perhaps a whole day one where they can make a brooch or something similar.
Our Maker-to-Maker question
At the end of each Maker Spotlight, our previous featured maker leaves a question for the next person – a little way of connecting makers who may never have met. Kay from Thread Needle Soul would like to ask you:
"If you could change one thing for the better through your crafting, what would it be?"
Bringing people together through community. I’d love to see more and more people pick up new hobbies and skills which get them out engaging with said hobby and people. Community is more important than ever and I’d love my embroidery to encourage others to pick up a sewing project and find others to connect with over their work.
Finally, what does creativity mean to you in one sentence?
Creativity is finding a spark and a passion in something and using it to experiment and make something - anything!
Feeling Inspired? Discover More from CJ's Atelier
A huge thank you to Charlotte for sharing her creative journey, knowledge and passion for embroidery with The Crafty Exchange community. Her beautiful work is a wonderful reminder that creativity is all about experimenting, exploring new possibilities and enjoying the process of making something uniquely your own.
If Charlotte's embroidery has inspired you to pick up a needle and give it a go, why not join one of her sewing or embroidery workshops at Material Needs in Somerset? With classes suitable for complete beginners, it's a lovely opportunity to learn new skills, build confidence and connect with fellow creatives.
You can also follow Charlotte's work, discover her latest projects and find out more about upcoming workshops through CJ's Atelier on Instagram or https://www.facebook.com/cjsewingatelier/.
We hope you'll join us in supporting Charlotte's work and celebrating the creativity, skills and knowledge she shares with others. 💛