In "Coast to Coast Conversations," I sit down with inspiring individuals in the needlepoint world, from designers to stitchers whose work has captured my imagination. These interviews are a way to get to know the people behind the canvases—what drives their creativity, how they bring their designs to life, and what personal stories they carry with them. My hope is that through these conversations, you'll not only discover new insights but also feel a deeper connection to the art and its makers.
Today, we’re catching up with Sara Trucksess of SCT Designs, a life-long artist and nationally-recognized canvas designer known for her timeless and vibrant creations. Sara’s work, inspired by historical art, nature, and interiors, brings an elegant yet accessible approach to the needlepoint world. In fact, my first real project was designed by her, and I’ve admired her work ever since. I can’t wait to share some of her pieces once they’re stitched. Sara is a wonderful presence in the needlepoint community, and I’m excited for you to get to know her better in today’s Coast to Coast Conversation. (And read to the end because we have a little market sneak peak for our Bicoastal Readers!)
Why needlepoint? What was your first exposure to the craft?
I first started stitching when I was about 8 or 9 years old. I remember picking out a simple pink tulip canvas on 10 count. I kitted the colors myself in shop and all of the yarn was stranded from knitting skeins. My mom, my aunt, and my grandmother all created their own designs too and constantly had needlepoint, knitting, sewing and smocking projects underway.
Can you walk me through your creative process? How do you develop a new canvas design?
There are about a thousand different ways this happens, but generally, now, I develop new designs by playing around with older designs of my own. Certain canvas elements that I loved the first time I made them but didn’t get to be big enough or repeated enough in their first iteration grow their own legs and inform the next round of canvases. I change colors, I change sizes, and I think about what I would want to place in my own home, which is actually pretty limited on needlepoint! My programs are so full of sketches and drafts and ideas that I have to have multiple accounts.
A few of many designs from SCT’s collection which can be found at KC Needlepoint!
How have your designs changed or developed since you first started?
I used to hate stitching backgrounds. I started by making a lot of detailed patterns that allowed for very little background because a big endless basketweave background seemed like a nightmare to me. But I’ve since learned so many more big stitches that make backgrounds a dream. If you see me with fancy stitches on my canvases just know that it’s not for the visual, it’s for the stitching speed! I hate background stitching!
What do you think your brand is known for?
I hope I’m known for color and for originality. I work really hard to create classic things that everyone loves but to make them in a way that people haven’t seen before.
Favorite thing you've ever stitched?
I just stitched a CALL HOME pillow for my oldest son who’s leaving for his freshman year of college and I think that felt like the most important thing I’ve ever stitched. Will it end up in a drawer in his dorm room? Maybe. But did I imagine with every stitch that he would see it every day and think of me? Yes. I think he’ll call home eventually. :) Also that canvas will be at market next spring.
Most challenging thing you've designed and why?
I like to design less challenging canvases because that’s what I want to stitch. It’s supposed to be fun! However, sometimes people come to me with challenging requests that I can’t turn down. I have blown my lobster crest design up into a 5 foot rug for someone. That was insane. There’s a picture way back in my Instagram grid. It’s huge. Also someone asked for a piano bench of one of my designs once. I think blowing up work that I’ve already done into a huge scale is the most difficult thing to do. There’s no program that can work on that scale. It’s just me trying to recreate something that someone has in mind and I have to stick to the plan. I’m better when I can just let myself run wild with no rules!
What software do you use to design, if any?
I use a variety of pixel art programs, some Procreate, and some sketches! Honestly sometimes I just start with needle and thread on blank canvas and see where it goes.
Color combinations you can't stop thinking about?
All of them. I don’t have a favorite color, I have a favorite palette. It usually has navy and pinks, greens and blues of all varieties. But I love an unexpected pop of orange or neon green. And my bedroom was painted sunny yellow when I was young. I’m not really a red girl or a lavender girl, but now that I just said that I really like red and lavender together!
Are there any needlepoint designs you wish existed on the market, even if you wouldn’t design them yourself?
There are so many gorgeous canvases out there. I don’t always know what I’m looking for until I see it but my designer colleagues in the needlepoint world are incredibly talented and they make things every day that I want to take home!
Which of your designs do you feel is the most underrated and deserves more attention?
This is a hard question because my canvas design inventory is in the thousands now. I think people have different tastes and so a variety of options is necessary to address that need. Sometimes what gets the most attention on social media isn’t what sells best. It’s interesting to see how some designs take longer to find their way to the forefront, but everything always gets love from someone somewhere so I’m glad stitchers are finding what they want!
What’s the most creative way someone has finished one of your designs?
I once designed a custom backgammon board for a Charlotte Moss island home renovation/redesign. It was really beautiful in the space! And @taylorndlpts started a fancy-mint revolution when she added tulle to her mint round. Mints for everyone are coming to fall market, Taylor-style!
What is one thing you want stitchers of your canvases to know about you and your designs?
I like to make what stitchers want, but dream it up my own way. Your ideas are the things that inspire me the most.
What artist(s) do you most admire?
I’m an art historian with a specialty in post-revolutionary French painting and a background working in early Art Photography. My list of favorite artists is literally too long to write down. But I really love Matisse’s colors, Picasso’s texture, Rodin’s aesthetic, Steiglitz’s eye, O’Keefe’s attitude, Delacroix’s movement, Penn’s lighting, Dufy’s charm… I’ll stop now.
What was the last thing you nerded out on?
The sentence above this?
Can you share a memorable experience or milestone in your career that significantly impacted you?
Being invited to participate in the Parade of Hearts public art project in Kansas City in 2021 was a really awe-inspiring experience that took me very far outside my comfort zone. But it also let me bring needlepoint to my non-needlepoint community in a very tangible way that I’m proud of.
Releasing my first book in August was also very humbling. I love making art and needlepointing and I really appreciate how generous this community is in their support of artists. Selling out before anyone had even seen the inside of the book blew my mind. You guys are the best!
What are some of your favorite places to visit for inspiration?
My family spends a lot of time traveling to Florida and Colorado - those are forever ingrained in my aesthetic. But I do love visiting new places all the time to shake it up! This year I went to Tuscany, the Dominican Republic, several places on the East Coast and I’m headed back to Charleston this fall, plus lots of time in Dallas coming soon!
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the creative field?
My oldest son is leaving for his first year at SMU this year—he’s a great graphic designer with an awesome eye and wants to be a working artist. He even designed a few canvases in my line years ago. But he’s going to be a business major because he took my advice when I told him that being a working artist is 90% business, 10% art. Once you have the business part down, the creativity flows even better!
Look at that talent! He is a natural!
What is on your needlepoint wishlist?
Things that I want for my house that are big projects - I have been meaning to stitch monogrammed seat cushions for my fireplace for three years now. I have the design and the supplies, I just need like 20 more hours in the day. I would also love to stitch a footstool and the back of a chair I just acquired.
Chair on the left to be needlepointed!
What is on your non-needlepoint wishlist?
Good cheer, world peace and a home chef?
MARKET SNEAK PEAK!!!!!!!!!!!
Already dreaming about #fabricb4fiber choices for this Mint to Be canvas!
What should we be expecting this market from SCT?
As far as new market goes, we’re ready to hit the upcoming holiday season with candyland in mind! Our newest collection is filled with mint garlands, pillow mints and cheeky mint-worthy signs. As always, whimsical animals will make an appearance. And we’re committed to a combination shapes, sizes, beginner-friendly and more advanced canvases so that there’s a little bit of something for everyone. Can’t wait to share!
Love this! Her designs are some of my favorites!!
So enjoyed reading this! Thank you!