A note from Sarah Neal —

I absolutely love love love playing with thread. Spider Spun is a product of my imagination and the blood/sweat/tears that pointy tools provoke. 

I grew up surrounded by heirlooms made by the needlewomen of my family — a red & white quilt stitched as the Civil War raged; heavily cabled fisherman sweaters knit for my parents’ ski trips; a set of coral silk chair covers made by my grandmother’s needlepoint club in the 1960s; bishop dresses delicately smocked by my mother and aunts.

After graduating from UNC, I worked at Vogue where I was surrounded by racks and racks of couture gowns, dazzling with hand-worked beading and embroidery. I decided it was time to try to jazz up a few of my oxford shirts — maybe with a monogram or two. The second I picked up a needle and thread, I couldn’t stop.

Nothing I stitch is flawless and I am forever ripping out mistakes. But I love the puzzle of making something! I’m constantly learning new techniques from stitchers around the world. And I’m slowly but surely getting better. I’m absurdly proud of my perfectly-imperfect heirlooms.

There’s something so satisfying about stabbing something working with your hands to create something real. A physical reminder that you’re creative, talented, and persistent. 

I hope that I can inspire you to pick up a needle and indulge in a bit of stitch craft with me.

xx Sarah Neal