Keeping Geeks in Stitches

Clarissa Thorne

By Wolfen Moondaughter
August 6, 2018

Calling all cross-stitching geeks! Clarissa Thorne's new book has some designs that are literally out of this world! Sit down with us and get to know this crafty cross-stitcher better.

Sequential Tart: How did you get into cross-stitching, and what about it appeals to you?

Clarissa Thorne: I started hunting for a new hobby shortly after my son was born in 2006. Up until that point I was doing a lot of photography, but was wanting to find something I could do at home that was completely unrelated to taking care of a baby, and that would occupy my hands and brain creatively. At the time, I was thinking about learning to quilt, but that seemed like a huge endeavor. So while I was looking around for sewing classes, I started to look at embroidery as something that I could learn quickly and start doing right way.

I kind of fell into cross-stitching, mostly because there were readily available kits in my local craft store, and because the instructions seemed easy. The types of stitches were limited, and the designs laid out in a straightforward and easy to understand grid. It seemed like a fool-proof way to explore new embroidery skills.

I've stayed with cross-stitch because working in that grid pattern is endlessly satisfying to my brain. There is a zen-like repetitive quality to sewing a cross-stitch pattern that is immensely relaxing. I find creating these "8-bit" designs to be equally satisfying, because there's a mathematical kind of logic that is forced onto the subjective aspect of creating a new image.

ST: What was your first cross-stitch project, and what work are you most proud of? How big is your biggest cross-stitch?

CT: I found my first cross-stitch project at my local craft store. It was a Pixar-licensed set of pillow cases with printed cross-stitch patterns along the hem, one with Lightning McQueen and one with Nemo. That was the only project I've ever found in a store, though, that held much interest for me. I quickly found myself on the internet trying to find more interesting and challenging cross-stitch designs. This was in the very early days of Etsy, so I didn't find much out there. I ended up with a series of books by artist Kazuko Aoki that I found on Amazon Japan (we won't talk about how much I paid in international shipping). Kazuko creates gorgeous botanical designs that look like watercolors. I really taught myself to cross-stitch by doing dozens of these designs. The instructions were all in Japanese, except for the DMC floss numbers, so it really helped me understand how easy and straightforward cross-stitching can be. All of Kazuko's designs are very elaborate and complex, some fairly large that took me months to complete. I think the largest of her designs topped out at about 18 x 24 inches.

It was the challenge of trying to find images I liked that led me to making my own designs. I searched around for good design software, and started making small images that reflected my love for various fandoms ... Marvel, Star Trek, etc. I have a lot of fun trying to mash my fandoms together, like my design "Grabthar the Avenger", which puts together The Avengers and my favorite character from the movie Galaxy Quest.

And while I like to make designs that are smaller and faster to execute, I think I definitely feel Kazuko's influence in some of the larger designs I've made which emphasize detail over simplicity. There are a couple of these designs in Journeys in Space that I'm particularly proud of.

ST: Tell us about your book, A Geek's Guide to Cross-Stitch: Journeys in Space.

CT: Journeys in Space is a collection of over 25 designs that celebrate my love for the solar system, NASA, and wonder of exploring the universe in general. The patterns in Journeys feature a number of NASA missions, from Cassini, to Juno, to Curiosity and more. I also explore a number of other themes that are dear to my heart, like sending humans to Mars, and searching for extraterrestrial intelligent life.

There are small patterns and large ones, easy and more difficult. It was important to me to offer a range of design sizes that would provide the crafter with images suitable for framing or for incorporating into smaller projects, like bookmarks, pendants, etc. The skill range represented in the book is really very beginner to somewhat more experienced intermediate. Some designs have more advanced elements (like the use of metallic floss), but I wouldn't call any of the designs "difficult". Even at its most complex, cross-stitch is still a very friendly, entry-level craft.

We are also producing the book with spiral binding, which answers one of the universal problems with craft books ... keeping the book open and flat while your hands are busy stitching.

I've had such a great experience working with Fanbase Press and Oceano Ransford (responsible for the amazing book formatting). It's always kind of miraculous to work with people who are as creatively passionate about something as I am, and in this case, I really couldn't ask for anything more from my partners in this project.

A Geek's Guide to Cross-Stitch: Journeys in Space is available now for pre-order from the Fanbase Press website. We're planning some great exclusive pattern that will be available only with pre-orders, so don't delay! (The book release is August 24th! ~ ED)

ST: Space travel and cross-stitch seem like subjects that wouldn't cross paths often -- what have you the idea to make space the focus of these patterns? And do you think you might do pattern books on other subjects? Maybe a fantasy-inspired collection ...?

CT: My cross-stitch designs have always been a very specific representation of the things I geek out about. I've never spent much time trying to come up with things that are universally appealing or even to pick relatively well-known subjects, even though I suppose that might make more business sense. I think the seeds for this book really started back when I was first figuring out how to design my own patterns. Early on I had a strong desire to recreate and stitch the amazing images we were getting of Saturn from the Cassini spacecraft. I eventually started to have other ideas for representing my love for all of the amazing exploration we're achieving in space. Cross-stitch isn't just kittens and flowers. It's rockets and aliens, and I would dearly love to do more books on a number of different themes. I think the next book in my head would be a collection of horror-themed designs. Zombies, the classic cinema monsters, true crime, and so on. I can blame this, at least in part, on my husband, Chris Thorne, who is a comic and sketch card artist, and who specializes in particularly gruesome zombies (christhorneart.com and yourzombiefuture.com).

And beyond space and horror, I have a lot of geek roots in fantasy, science, and superheroes, so we'll just have to see how far we can take the "Geek's Guide to Cross-Stitch" idea.

ST: How do you come up with your patterns? Are there references you recommend for anyone wanting to make their own patterns, or even just as general cross-stitch tutorials?

CT: My design creation process usually starts with a rough sketch and pulling out some color options from my embroidery floss supply. I use a great software for cross-stitch patterns called "Ursa Software" (available for Mac and PC) that makes really it easy to create designs from scratch. I highly recommend it for folks wanting to "go pro" with creating designs. Otherwise there are lots of free online sources that will let you quickly convert images into cross-stitch patterns of pretty much any level of detail that you want.

There are some amazing embroidery educational and shopping resources out there. One of my favorite stitchers in the whole world is Mr. X Stitch, who writes a blog curating amazing embroidery from around the world and has a great beginner cross-stitch book currently available on Amazon, The Mr. X Stitch Guide to Cross Stitch. Another great general embroidery site is Sublime Stitching, run by Jenny Hart. Jenny has a phenomenal selection of contemporary embroidery designs, kits, and tools. The "How-To" section of her site is full of tutorials, workshops, project ideas, and starter kits.

In case you're looking to get started stitching the solar system before you get your hands on Journeys in Space, check out the Space Navid Etsy store for a set of patterns of the planets (including Pluto!). I'm working my way through these myself and find them super challenging and satisfying.

ST: What are some of your fandoms? Which have you done cross-stitch for, and are there any you have yet to do a cross-stitch for but are meaning to?

CT: My list of fandoms is fairly long. On a broad scale, pretty much anything in the realm of science fiction is at the top of that list. I'm also a rabid fan of anything post-Apocalyptic and dystopian ... zombies, plagues, alien invasions. If I had to pack a reasonably sized carry-on to take with me to a deserted island, I would have to have some Star Trek: The Next Generation, the Harry Potter audiobooks, the Battlestar Galactica reboot, all three seasons of The Leftovers, Stephen King's The Stand (the full un-cut version), all five seasons of Fringe, and my Alan Lee illustration deluxe edition of The Lord of the Rings. And the entire MCU Blu-ray catalog. And my Omnivore Editions of the Chew comic book series.

I don't think there's a carry-on big enough.

There are so many designs in my head that I haven't done yet. I really feel like I've just started to scratch the surface. For as many fandoms that I haven't touched yet (Game of Thrones! The Incredibles! John Wick!), I think there are just as many mash-ups that I need accomplish (Ant-Man and The Wasp going on tour with P.T. Flea's Circus Bugs from A Bug's Life? Yes!). Happily, I think this means that I'm never going to run out of opportunities to stitch things that make me wildly happy.

ST: You have a wide assortment of patterns and finished cross-stitch in your Etsy shop. Take this opportunity to advertise what you have! And do you take commissions?

Click to enlarge.

CT: My current design catalog on Etsy includes Wonder Woman, Lumberjanes, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Thor, Steven Universe, Nimona, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, The Handmaid's Tale, Hunger Games, Squirrel Girl, Princess Bride, and Doctor Who, to name a few.

I offer both full project kits in the store, as well as Digital PDF pattern downloads. The kits run $15 plus shipping for the pattern, instructions, embroidery hoop, tapestry needle, Aida material, and floss. The Digital PDF pattern option runs from $3 to $5, depending on the image size of the design. In some cases, especially for larger designs, I offer only the Digital PDF option.

I don't currently take commissions for designs, but I am always excited to hear what people want to see in a new cross-stitch pattern.

ST: I see that you also do other crafts, like embroidery and sewing -- what sorts of things have you made in those arenas? Do you cosplay?

CT: Outside of cross-stitching, I spend most of my time quilting. I'm self-taught in this arena as well, and still consider myself a beginner. I'm currently working on a Lord of the Rings-themed log-cabin quilt that is letting me repurpose a bunch of old geeky T-shirts. After this one, I've got enough T-shirts to do a Firefly quilt ... and a zombie quilt...so more than enough to keep me busy for a while!

I don't cosplay myself, but I'm completely addicted to pictures of cosplayers and the cosplay process. I spend a lot of time on Epbot.com, which is the crafting, DIY, and cosplay blog run by Jen Yates and her husband (also of Cakewreck.com fame). It's a candy store of amazing pictures and crafting ideas.

ST: What's your "day job"?

CT: I'm currently working in Los Angeles for a company in the Aerospace Industry. It's super unrelated to the creative, crafty side of my life.

ST: What are some of your other hobbies and interests?

CT: I enjoy photography, listening to audiobooks, collecting geeky artwork, playing LEGO videogames, and putting together my son's LEGO sets. I'm hoping to become obsessed with the No Man's Sky videogame which has just been released for my Xbox One.

ST: What's been inspiring you lately?

CT: There are so many great TV series out in the last few years. I'm a huge fan of some of the really dark stories ... The Leftovers, Hannibal, The Handmaid's Tale, Good Behavior, and, most recently, Sharp Objects on HBO. And there's also so much great science fiction making its way from the book to the big / small screen ... The Martian, The Expanse, etc. It seems like most of the sci-fi books I've read in the last few years are on their way to a theater near me soon. It's super exciting!

Unexpected Hobby — Clarissa Thorne's website of cross-stitchery and other geeky things..