Kay Taylor Fite is a needlepoint designer based in Washington State in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and lover of all things dogwood. Her business, Blue Dogwood Designs, hand-paints original needlepoint canvases. The canvases are all painted by the artist using Zweigart mono canvas in 13 and 18 count. Many of her canvases have accompanying stitchguides.
After 9 years working retail and marketing at her local needlepoint shop, she jumped the corporate ship to start her business. Kay sells her hand-painted designs to stitchers across the country through her web site.
Like many of us, she brings her stitching along as she travels. A man once sitting next to her on a plane, watched her stitch for a while. Then leaned over and said, "Oh, I see - you just fill in the colors." She laughed and explained, "Yes, just painting with my thread."
Kay's Interview, continued...
When did you first start doing needlepoint, and what inspired you to start?
I stitched my first needlepoint 40 years ago and promptly gave it away to my boyfriend at that time. I tried all kinds of fiber arts to branch out of sewing, knitting and crochet. Those were taught to me by my Mom and Grandmother as a small child. So, I ventured into batik, macramé, weaving and Navajo weaving, quilting, cross stitch and beading. I felt like I was solving problems while making something useful or not, always beautiful.
Great lessons learned from those crafts, but I always came back to needlepoint. I worked for many years in the financial services industry – traveling with a needlepoint project in my briefcase. Lunchtime was usually spent finding the local needlepoint shop and adding to my collection of canvases and threads.
As life happens, you make lemonade from lemons. I left the corporate world and began working at my local needlepoint shop in Everett, WA. For almost 9 years, my days were filled with wonderful colors, designs and women friend. More canvases and threads for the stash.
What is your source of inspiration for your designs?
I had painting designs in my head and they wanted out, so I began Blue Dogwood Designs in 2006. I see colors and patterns in everyday life, my garden, books and textures. I like designs that can utilize many stitches. Most stitchers look for ways to make their own embellishment on a canvas and quite often too much detail or the shading on the canvas is the art of the needlepoint rather than the stitches with multiple threads and textures. I keep stitching in mind when painting.
How many hours a day do you spend stitching and designing/painting?
I stitch about 2 hours a day. It used to be much more, but now designing and painting take up a good 7 hours. I am late night owl when it comes to painting. That seems to be my clock and best time – then if I still like it in the morning, it is a keeper. I do not have production painters, so handpaint myself. I do work on a lot of custom projects for gals… perhaps something that fits into their room décor, their child’s artwork or a theme for their hobby. Painting and designing is still Zen for me, just like stitching.
Is there another designer who has influenced your own designs?
My personal collection of canvases is extensive with some of my early favorites being Jane Aurich and Joy Juarez, Melissa Shirley and Lee. As with most needlepointers, I have a stash of canvases from many artists and enjoy the colors, the variety of styles and subjects. For many years now, I hang the un-stitched canvas as art on my walls – just two tiny pearl headed pins make very small holes. People would see some finished and framed pieces in my home and then find many canvases not even touched. I would tell them – “Yes, just enjoying the canvas daily and waiting for inspiration”. Just because you bought it doesn’t mean you have to stitch it!
What needlepoint groups do you belong to?
I have been active over the past 10 years in SpaceNeedlers ANG – our local guild – as Secretary, Editor, President and now Co-President. I keep an eye on Seattle and the creativity here. We have some great stitchers – must be the weather. If it is raining... no problem... the garden can wait – time to stitch!