Sarah K. Benning is a contemporary embroidery and mixed media artist.

It all started when…

Sarah discovered her passion for embroidery back in 2013. After leaving art school (with a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago), Sarah turned to embroidery as a creative outlet while she worked full-time as a nanny. What started as a hobby quickly transformed into a bit of an obsession and then into a career as Sarah developed her bold embroidery aesthetic full of botanical imagery, strong black outlines, and intense detail.

Fast forward to today, and Sarah K. Benning Arts is a globally recognized brand and continues to create one of a kind embroidered artworks, as well as small batch embroidery kits designed + assembled in house, digital pattern programs, and global workshop opportunities.

Sarah K. Benning Arts is committed to sharing the joy of embroidery through original art and thoughtfully designed do-it-yourself patterns and kits.

other ways to Engage with contemporary embroidery

Making Time

A daily commitment to meditative stitching. Throughout the year I will explore a new stitch each month and dedicate 30 minutes a day to abstract embroidered mark-making.

I invite you to join me in whatever way makes sense for you! I will be sharing a new stitch each month and encourage you to dive in for a little unselfconscious meditative stitching too!

There are no rules. You don't have to show anyone or prove anything--although if you do share your meditative stitching on social media, please tag it with #skbmakingtime so that the community can celebrate your work and continue to grow!

Studio Staples

I get asked ALL. THE. TIME. about my preferred embroidery supplies. So, when the opportunity came up to work with DMC to create a shop-able gallery via dmc.com, I thought it would be a great time to share some of my favorites.

To be clear, this is far from a definitive list and I am a huge believer in trial and error, experimentation, and following your own instincts when it comes to choosing your own making tools, materials, and supplies. I won’t get into every embroidery possibility here, but I will share some of my studio go-to’s. Whether you’re new to embroidery or just looking to shake up your supply stash, I hope you enjoy this little insight into my thought process when it comes to materials.

embroidered life: the art of Sarah K. Benning by Sara Barnes

‘Featuring a die-cut case with actual stitching on the front cover, Embroidered Life shows that illustrations created with needle and thread can be strikingly contemporary. From beautiful botanicals to bold affirmations, the work of fiber artist Sarah K. Benning gives any embroidery enthusiast, art lover, or plant fanatic a new appreciation for the craft of needlework.’ - Chronicle Books

Though not a project-based book, popular blogger Sara Barnes guides readers through my embroidery process and business model, offering behind-the-scenes insights to inspire makers and creative entrepreneurs.

make more with these free tutorials!

Embellish your clothes with peel + stick transfers!

At the start of 2019 Davey and I committed to #ayearofnothingnew, which isn’t to say that we haven’t consumed—we have—but that we are limiting ourselves to shopping only secondhand (or artist made when we can!) for our clothes and home goods. And we have stuck to it pretty well!

One of the wonderful and unexpected creative challenges to this commitment has been a desire to make-do and repair the things we already have. And so, here is a teeny tiny tutorial for how I have been adding a little flair to some of my long-time favorite staples of my wardrobe and maybe you can use it to spice up a piece of your own rather than tossing it out!

You’re Great! Stitched Card template

Did you know that my first embroideries were on paper rather than fabric?

Well, they were! My embroidery business started out as a hand-stitched greeting card business…but after about a year I realized while stitching cards is super fun, they aren’t a very sustainable hand-made business product.

With Valentine’s day just around the corner, I thought I’d bring back one of my favorite stitched card designs as a DIY project for you!

So think about someone special you might want to make this for and keep an eye out for the full project!

turn your hoop art into giant patches!

Not sure what to do with all the hoop art you are stitching? Usually my solution is to hang your new artwork on the wall, but maybe that isn’t your style or you have enough hoops on the wall already, or for whatever reason that isn’t an option for you. It certainly isn’t the only option out there, which is where this little tutorial comes in!

I have been on a real clothing embellishment kick lately—spicing up my own wardrobe and planning a few pieces that will someday find their way to my shop—and I thought this would be a great way to re-imagine and re-purpose some of my hoop art pieces!

So, here it goes! I hope you find it useful and inspiring!