Embroidery artist Tilleke Schwarz has been stitching stories for decades, blending traditional sampler techniques with pop culture, poetry, and unexpected humor. Raised in the Netherlands with plenty of creative freedom, she learned early on that a little “mess” can lead to something magical.
What first drew you to embroidery and textiles as a child?
My mother used to embroider tablecloths, usually with floral patterns.
Can you tell us about the moment you realized art would be a lifelong companion?
I do not quite know. I used to draw and doodle a lot at primary and secondary school, especially when I was a bit bored. I started stitching when I was about 6 years old.
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Many artists talk about “a first big moment.” Did you have one?
Not really. Around 1990, I won the European prize for contemporary embroidery. I guess that helped a bit.
What role did your mother play in your creative journey?
She inspired me and supported me. As a kid, I was allowed to make a mess as long as I cleaned it afterwards. My schoolteachers often found my embroidery a bit messy, but my mother always liked it.
How has growing up in the Netherlands shaped your artistic vision?
I do not know.. I was brought up with a lot of freedom which was wonderful.
I love the Dutch (nearby) landscape. It is very flat with many wetlands and birds. However, I never do landscapes in my work.
How do pop art, graffiti, and traditional samplers live together in your thread work?
They seem to do so. It comes quite naturally to me.
What kinds of art makes you stop and stare these days?
Folk art and very contemporary art.
How do poetry or words (not just images) influence your stitching?
I like to incorporate them often out of context, so a new meaning may occur.
Walk us through your studio setup—what does your favorite stitching space look like?
I can stitch anywhere, inside or outside, My studio is used for storing, for my books and my wonderful collection of threads.
I just need a comfortable chair and good light.
What are the essential tools you always want close by when you work?
Just a needle and scissors. I stitch by hand and do not use a machine.
Tell us a bit more about your materials and process.
All works are stitched on fine linen (22 threads to a cm, that is 10 count). The linen comes in white, but I often dye it with procion.
I can choose from a wonderful selection of fine threads (over 3000 colours) from different brands. The threads are either cotton, silk, metal, or synthetic. Some are shiny, others not. All works are hand-stitched. Main techniques are couching and cross-stitch.
The stretching I do, too, and afterward it is framed in a detachable frame (brand: Barth). Some pieces are sold, others are still for sale. It is all indicated on my website.
How do you choose your linen, threads, scraps, and colors?
Just whatever appeals to me at a certain moment.
How do you know a piece is finished?
That is not always easy. When I find myself undoing parts and adding again, I know it is time to make up my mind.
It helps to pin my work at a soft wall and look at it from a distance. This is common for most artists.
When something isn’t working in a piece, how do you approach revisiting it?
I may cover the part I do not like with a piece of cloth or old lace.
How have your themes and compositions evolved over the years?
I guess they do, but I cannot explain. Usually, when I look back at my previous work, I see some changes.
For instance, nowadays I include a lot more (prehistoric) animals. In the past, I stitched mostly cats.
How do you balance intuition and experimentation with composition and structure?
My teachers always said I have a natural sense for that. So I am very lucky.
How do you keep your artistic spark alive after decades of making?
It comes fairly naturally. Not every day, but very often, I print notes from the computer and cut out messages that interest me from the newspaper.
Where can people see your work?
Most easy: at my website: www.tillekeschwarz.com I also participate in exhibitions. And I have a book for sale, see my website.
Interview posted February 2026
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