Again and again, I have sung the praises of Suzanne Hinshaw’s shadow embroidery designs for embroidery machines. Suzanne’s artistic hand has drawn the beautiful designs and her digitizing is impeccable. But, sadly, her designs are almost impossible to purchase now. A few collections are still for sale at Allbrands.
another Hinshaw design
Suzanne and I have roomed together while teaching at Martha Pullen’s school in Huntsville and have enjoyed other good times tailgating and visiting when we got the chance.
Now, I cannot reach her. When I first started this blog, she posted an encouraging comment but since then, she has not answered e-mail and her web site is down. I know she is an incredible grandmother and dotes on those children. So perhaps she has given up designing and is just sewing and enjoying the grandbabies. I hope so. Does anyone know anything about where she is or what she is doing?
Meanwhile, her designs still charm me. This pillowcase is the project for a class I have taught all over the country. The shadow work design is from Suzanne Hinshaw’s collection Shadowed Bows 2. The web roses between the feather stitching and at the peak of the Madeira applique’ hem are from Fil Tire’ and Fancywork Elementsby Suzanne Sawko and me. I think it shows very well how much this machine technique looks like hand work. For details fo the technique, check earlier posts featuring shadow work.
Visit this site which gives some background and details of Suzanne’s design career and techniques.
Other designers are now marketing machine embroidery designs for shadow work, though I have not tried any of them. Upon close inspection, many are actually shadow applique’, a technique in which colored fabric is applique’d beneath a sheer fabric and held in place with a pin stitch or even a satin stitch.
Laurie Anderson of Southern Stitches has a new web site for machine embroidery featuring shadow embroidery and bullion knot designs.
I’m really saddened by Suzanne Hinshaw’s absence from the machine embroidery design world. If anyone knows anything about her, please let me know. And if you have found more shadow work designs, let us know that, too.
I would also love to hear from Suzanne. I think of her whenever I use the little silver pin holder she gave us. They are made from antique salt shakers. I think she gave them to us at MP School. I also miss seeing you. Sue
We did have a good time, didn’t we, Sue? I love that little salt shaker pin holder, too. It’s so unique–so Suzanne. I wish we could get in touch with her. I wish I could SEE YOU! We haven’t spent any time together since we taught in San Juan. Come to Florida and visit me, okay?
Janice,
I am sure you think I fell off the face of the earth but I haven’t and think of you and Suzanne frequently.
Still doing lots of Heirloom and loving every minute that I get to sew. Life has been different for me these last 3 years since my sister died and we moved my mom up here from Miami. Allis well with the family, NOBODY married yet!!!
I tried reaching Suzanne Hinshaw several times it seems over the last 3 years maybe and never got a response to either email or phone calls. I was sorting some designs tonight and putting them in order and came across all of hers. Last time I saw her was at a workshop at Louise Cuttings store before that closed.
Take care, love you lots, same old Cherry Palma
Hey, Cherry! It’s great to hear from you and to know that you are still making your beautiful heirloom creations. You are wonderful to be looking after your mother, and all the while you are probably tapping your toe wondering just when one of those boys will settle down and get married. What a fabulous grandmother you will be!
I just can’t imagine where Suzanne Hinshaw has gone or, if she hasn’t relocated, why she isn’t in touch. I do hope all is well with her—and glad that all is well with you.
Hugs to you!
I was looking to show a friend the shadow work that I knew Mrs. Hinshaw had shown me and I came across this blog. I was actually a very close friends with Mrs. Suzanne’s daughter and have spent last several years visiting with all their family and getting to know them all. She def has an amazing talent and beautiful work. They are all doing well and living around the Orlando, FL area. I hope you can get in touch again a couple emails I know of are teach2sew@aol.com and sbhinshaw@yahoo.com God Bless and Happy Holidays!
Thank you so much for the update and addresses! I’ll be dropping Suzanne a note today! I hope you will visit this blog again.
Have read all of the posts about Shadow Work Embroidery.I too am looking for Shadow Work designs to buy but have come up with nothing.Sad to know that Suzanne Hinshaw cannot be located.From this blog it seems sad that such talent is no longer available.If any shadow work designs are avalable from any reliable source I would love to hear about it.