Welcome To Sew French!

My name is Rebecca, though most friends call me Becca. I create original cross stitch patterns infused with the charm of vintage French design and the elegance of garden blooms. Peonies, with their soft, romantic petals, have always been my creative muse.

I hope you find a cozy corner to enjoy stitching my patterns. Brew your favorite coffee, settle in, and bring to life a heartfelt piece of hand-embroidered art. Let your home reflect warmth and personality through stitches that speak to the soul.

My aim is to share patterns that encourage peaceful, mindful stitching. My wish is that you experience the quiet beauty of embroidery in your own life.

My work has been featured in Stitch & Story Journal and The Artisan’s Review, as well as online across creative communities. Cross stitch is my happy place, my lifelong craft.

Have you ever stayed in a tiny cabin by the ocean with only the essentials? Did you feel a lightness in your heart? I did. The feeling stayed with me, so I made it my way of life. I now live in a small coastal Oregon cottage with my husband, Mark, and our adopted tabby cat, Marigold. Mark is a marine biologist, and I divide my time between creating patterns and volunteering at a local arts center.

I also love summer bike rides on my vintage cruiser and winter walks along the windswept shore. Quiet moments bring me the most joy. I never leave the house without a dash of red lipstick. Morning prayer, mindful living, and giving back to my community are the threads that hold my life together.

My Embroidery Journey

When I was young, I spent blissful afternoons in my aunt’s sunlit sewing room in a small Maine fishing town. While the radio played softly, she stitched quilts and hemmed dresses. She encouraged me to try handwork, and her gentle patience planted the seed for my love of sewing. Those visits were a sanctuary during my parents’ separation, a place where life felt calm and safe.

Years later, in my late twenties, a friend showed me her collection of antique samplers—stitched decades ago by schoolgirls with meticulous care. I was captivated. She told me cross stitch was easier than it looked, but I didn’t start right away.

Then, in my early thirties, life changed abruptly—my father fell ill, and I became his caregiver until his passing. Not long after, I faced my own health challenges and a difficult recovery. My husband also lost his job during that time.

Feeling adrift, I remembered my friend’s words and decided to give cross stitch a try. I found a small needlework shop two towns over, where a kind shopkeeper gave me a beginner’s lesson. I left with ivory linen, a floral French pattern, and soft pink thread. That was the beginning, and I’ve been stitching ever since.

Looking back, learning embroidery in such a hard chapter was no accident—it became my therapy, my prayer, and my joy. With each stitch, worries loosened their grip, and gratitude filled the space. My passion for sewing is part of my heritage too—my great-grandmother was a seamstress in Wales, and my father restored antique textiles.

The New Chapter of Sew French Since 2024

Since 2024, Sew French has grown beyond patterns into an informative embroidery and cross-stitch blog. Here, I share practical guides, historical insights, beginner tips, pattern-making advice, and reflections on the healing nature of hand-stitching.

My goal is to create a welcoming space where both beginners and experienced stitchers can learn, share, and find joy in this timeless craft. Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, let’s keep stitching beauty and peace into the world, one pattern at a time.

Author Profile

Rebecca Nolen
Rebecca Nolen
My name is Rebecca, though most people simply call me Becca. I design original cross stitch patterns inspired by vintage French style and timeless garden blooms. Peonies, with their soft layers and romantic charm, are my constant muse.

I hope you find a warm, inviting space to enjoy stitching my patterns. Brew your favorite coffee, settle in, and create a heartfelt piece of hand-embroidered art. Let your home reflect its own personality and soul with stitches that speak of comfort and grace.

My goal is to share beautiful patterns that inspire peaceful, mindful stitching. My hope is that you discover the quiet joy of hand-embroidery. My work has been featured across creative communities and in Stitch & Story Journal and The Artisan’s Review. Cross stitch remains my truest source of joy.

Since 2024, I’ve embarked on an exciting chapter—writing an informative blog dedicated to the “Embroidery and Cross-Stitch” niche. This blog is an extension of my love for the craft, offering detailed articles and personal responses to reader questions on all things stitching.

It covers a wide range of topics, from beginner-friendly tips and original pattern creation to historical insights and the therapeutic benefits of needlework. My goal is to build a space where stitchers of all levels can learn, share, and grow together, finding their own peace and pleasure in cross stitch just as I did.

To all my customers and readers who have supported Sew French, thank you. Your kind words, photos of finished creations, and steady encouragement are the threads that keep me creating. Let’s keep stitching a world of beauty and serenity, one pattern at a time.
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