About Me

Donna Duncan, Urban Stitcher®

For as long as I can remember, there was a sewing machine in our home.  My mother made our clothes, and for years, made a living as a seamstress.  I sewed my first dress in junior high home economics class.  Since that first dress many years ago, my sewing interests have taken twists and turns through clothing, quilting, home accessories, bags and toys. 

I am retired and spend most of my days in my craft room.  I dabble in other hobbies, like wood carving and clay modeling, but most of my time is spent with my sewing machine.  I have a wonderful Bernina 770QE with an embroidery module.  There was a time when I used the embroidery module to decorate and personalize all my projects.  These days, the embroidery module comes out of the closet just a few times a year for patches or monograms.  I now enjoy creating free-motion machine embroidery art using my own pictures and designs.   

10th Avenue Boardwalk at Jamison Square

The inspiration for my Urban Stitcher® trademark started with Urban Sketchers.   Although Urban Sketchers always create their art on location, it was the light and airy depiction of local scenes that appealed to me.  I love the quick pen or pencil drawings enhanced with a bit of color.  

My husband and I live in Portland’s Pearl District.  There is so much going on, inspiration is just a quick walk around the neighborhood.   Unlike the sketchers, I take pictures or make quick sketches and return home to my sewing machine.  Occasionally people will share their photos for my personal use, or will commission a thread sketch of a picture they treasure.

My thread sketches become wall hangings, greeting cards, or decoration on bags and dish towels.   Many of my blogs have video or step-by-step instructions; others are simply show-and-tell.   My new photo gallery page features projects that I may not have blogged about.  I will add more photos as time goes on.  

I hope you will explore and visit often.