MaryAnne Lupinetti brings fabric, thread, and simple stitches to life with rich texture and a love of nature. Her work grows slowly and intuitively, letting each piece tell its own story as she stitches, layers, and explores.
Tell us a little bit about what you do.
I am a fiber artist who explores the boundless possibilities of textiles by blending traditional craft with modern experimentation. My background spans a diverse toolkit including, sewing, embroidery, quilting, knitting, crochet, fabric collage and raw edge appliqué. This toolkit provides the foundation for my current artistic evolution, which centers on building rich textures through intuitive surface design.
Your mom taught you to sew when you were 10, and your first project was a scooter skirt in a rather memorable brown-and-white print. What do you remember about making that first project, and did you have any idea then that sewing would become such a big part of your life?
My story began when I was a young girl of 10. My mum wanted to teach me to sew and I remember being so excited. It was on a Sunday afternoon during the summertime and my Mum and I sat down to our treadle Singer sewing machine and sewed a scooter skirt for me.
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The project was successful, although I don’t recall many of the details. I just knew that I loved sewing and wanted to keep sewing! My next project was a pair of shorts.
There was a fabric store nearby, and frequently I would walk there and buy 1/2 yard of fabric, as that was all that was needed to make a pair of shorts. Needless to say, that summer I had many new pairs of shorts.
By the time I was in Junior High School, I was making my own clothes. When I got into Senior High School, I was able to further my skills and enrolled in tailoring classes. By that point I thought I was experienced enough and found out quickly that I had a lot to learn. I kept the course, though and had no idea then that sewing would become such a big part of my life.
You also learned crochet from your aunts and knitting from a neighbor. You have explored so many forms of needlework over the years. What is it about working with yarn, fabric, and thread that keeps drawing you back?
Shortly after I learned to sew, I picked up several other forms of needlework. I learned to crochet from my aunts when they came to visit, and our neighbor (my Mums friend) taught me how to knit.
I learned embroidery on my own, and when I was in junior high school, I embroidered an entire pair of blue jeans. That was in the mid-70s. I rarely bought clothes since I could sew my own. Plus, I could add my own details.
As the years went on and I had my own family, I continued to sew and work on other needlework projects; however, I had less time to dedicate to my hobbies. It wasn’t until later on, as I was getting ready to retire in 2019, that I decided I wanted to get back into my hand stitching and went full steam ahead.
What draws you to adding unexpected details to a project?
I found a great online instructor (Julie Booth) and started to take her online classes. These classes helped me become relaxed, and eventually I found my ‘voice’. She offered a couple of experimental style classes; for example, one she offered was the blanket/buttonhole stitch.
In this class, we learned how to take this one stitch and use it in many different ways. From that class, I created a 12”x15” stitching called: “A Representation of a Walk in the Woods”. From just using this one stitch, I was able to create fungus, moss, tree branches, etc., much of what you would see while taking a walk in the woods. This piece sold at our local art gallery where I live in Indiana, PA – The Artists Hand Gallery.
Nature has become an important source of inspiration in your fiber work. What do you notice in nature that makes you want to translate it into fabric, yarn, thread or embellishment?
Nature is one of my favorite inspirations. Water is another one. I find that my work tells a story, and at times I may have a theme, while other times, I don’t. Either way, my work is organic and intuitive.
How do you know when a piece is finished?
It evolves, and as it evolves, I am able to allow my creativity to unfold. I know when the piece needs more stitching, and I know when a piece is done. How I know is simply by instinct.
I really have no other way to describe that knowing. It does ebb and flow, so to speak, and it’s definitely a process. I become very in tune with the development of each piece, and at some point the story starts to reveal itself.
I have worked on pieces that I am not really excited about, but I keep at it, and lo and behold, I fall in love.
Texture seems to be an important part of your work, from yarn and felt to embroidery and embellishment. What kinds of textures catch your eye when you are out in the world?
For me, the more texture, the better. Recently, I have been using a thicker-weight thread and find that it is easier to work with and also provides more depth as well as more texture.
The biggest key is learning how to use the different weights of thread to bring your work to life.
Do you have a favorite stitch?
Stem stitch is my favorite stitch. You will notice in many of my pieces that I use stem stitch. It’s almost like drawing. I like to use stem stitch around couched yarns. I find that the effect of varying the thread weights and stitching several rounds close together builds dimension and adds texture. It’s really incredible.
Describe your creative space.
My creative space is a spare bedroom in my home that I call my ‘workroom’.
I have my sewing machine that sits on a desk in front of two windows. My ironing board is to my left and doubles as a table. To my right is a comfy chair with a lamp for when I want to sit back and read or just stitch.
I have two bookshelves that house books, binders full of patterns, fabrics, yarns, threads, beads, ribbons, and sequins. I have several floor baskets full of more yarns and a closet that is full of tubs of more fabrics and more yarns, plus accessories such as laces, unfinished projects, brand new projects, and scraps that will outlive me.
I have several of my smaller stitching projects from previous classes hanging randomly throughout my workroom. Most of the supplies that I purchase are not planned. It’s basically a spontaneous reaction.
I like to purchase fat quarters. The fabrics I gravitate to are usually textured and woven types, silks, wools, batiks, and linen. I also like cotton. I choose from a variety of colors, but mostly neutrals and earthy tones – grays, tans, golds, greens, browns, and cream.
Over the years, I have built up quite a collection of fabrics, threads, beads, ribbons, and yarns. Each year I say I’m going to use up what I have and not buy any more, but that ship has sailed at this point.
You’ve written that you wake up thinking, “What can I make today?” and go to sleep thinking about what you might make tomorrow. Do you generally have several projects going at once, or do you like to concentrate on one project until it is finished?
I tend to work on many projects at a time. Most days, it is not unusual for me to go from two, three, or four different projects.
For example, currently I am working on an 8”x 8” stitching piece called Enchanted Forest; I am also doing the quilting on a quilt I made for my daughter’s friend; I have a knitted vest started, and I am also working on a crochet blanket as a gift for an upcoming wedding.
It’s a fact that when I wake up in the morning, I immediately think about what I am going to work on today, and when I go to bed at night before I fall asleep, I imagine what new work I will create tomorrow.
Where can people see your work?
Currently I am a member of the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh, PA where I have the pleasure of serving as Vice President, the Project Director for our triennial Fiberart International 2028, Finance Chair and also serve on the Programs and Exhibition committees.
My fiber art can be seen at our local art gallery in Indiana, PA – The Artists Hand Gallery.
My work has been accepted in juried shows such as Soulbeats (Feb/March 2026), which was held at the Harlan Gallery in Greensburg, PA. This gallery is part of the Art Department at Seton Hill College, Greensburg, PA. Also, several online international juried shows through Canadian-based exhibitors- Biafarin, Inc., Gallerium, and Artistonish Magazine- since 2025 and during 2026. On a personal note, I reside in Indiana, PA, with my husband and our dog, and together we share 6 children and 9 grandchildren.
Follow MaryAnne on Instagram: @maryannelupinetti
Interview posted September 2026
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