Check Out Steph McCourt’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steph McCourt.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Steph! I ended up making a significant career switch a couple of years out of college – I was a full-time accountant when I first discovered chain-stitch embroidery machines. I always knew I wanted to have a creative career, especially one that allows me to work with my hands, but I didn’t know exactly what would suit me until I discovered my first chainstitch embroidery machine over the summer of 2019.

I worked my accounting job alongside my budding embroidery business, as I custom-built portable embroidery machine tables, developed my processes, and popped up at vendor markets all over Denver. 2020 was the year that I really hunkered down and spent time honing my skills and putting in the hours to really learn all I needed to know about the trade.

In January 2022, I was able to go full-time with Contrarium Chainstitch. I love the work that I’ve already done for clients and brands, and I’m excited to grow as an artist and as an artisan in years to come!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Being a professional artist is rarely easy. There have been times when I was not able to find projects that I was aligned with, and I also struggled with my skill level as an illustrator and 2-D artist, when it was insufficient to bring my physically embroidered visions to life. It is also an adjustment to learn how to be a founder and CEO, and I know I am not unique in experiencing this challenge.

Something I have been adding to my daily practice is the concept of ownership. We are people who live in a community, so of course we are affected by each other…but it’s always good to learn the effects our thoughts and actions have on our motivation and mental health. I can’t say the challenges have stopped, but taking ownership of my business, even if only in my own mind, has helped me steer the ship in a direction that I like to see.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I use chainstitch embroidery machines from the 1930s-1950s to create hand-cranked custom textile art. Chainstitch embroidery machines were around before computerized embroidery, and in some cases, before widespread home electrical power.

These machines are between 70 and 90 years old, and they are operated with a crank underneath the machine to steer the direction of the stitching. Each stitch consists of a little tiny chain that is embedded within the fabric, and with the monoline nature of the stitching, some really cool vintage effects and illustration styles can be achieved.

Over time, my machines and I have become like extensions of each other. It’s nice to get to know a tool in such a close way that using it is second nature!

I specialize in live embroidery events for brands and private parties, in which I bring my embroidery on-site and embroider items like denim jackets, bandanas, and tote bags live and on the spot. I also love to create lavishly customized denim jacket projects, custom banners, word patches, and wearable art patches of cows, toadstools, and sunset mountainscapes, to name a few.

The Contrarium Chainstitch brand has been shifting and evolving for several years now. One thing has remained the same – the desire to add a personalized touch to everything I do. In a world where mass-produced embroidery work is common, and in which people have also picked up hand embroidery to soothe the senses, I love that the hand-cranked nature of this machine work falls somewhere in between hand-made and machine-made art. Some of my favorite chainstitch pieces are those that juxtapose these vintage techniques with modern design and illustration.

I am fortunate that, with the help of family and neighbors, I have been equipped with portable chainstitch tables that enable me to travel all over the country with my equipment and set up to do live embroidery events. Guests at these events are able to get something personalized just the way they like it, and have a keepsake to bring back with them to remind them of how cool the event was!

Of course, I also love doing live embroidery events in Colorado, along the Front Range, and also in ski resorts and more out-of-the-way places. I was born and raised in Denver, so of course my love for this city is pervasive in everything I do.

I would love more opportunities to work with brands and other creatives to translate their branding into more tangible items and spread awareness one stitch at a time!

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Do it casually. What I mean by this is, I think a lot of people just starting out tend to get overly wrapped up in making everything perfect before even beginning their journey.

My concept of “do it casually” means that, if you have these perfectionistic tendencies, no amount of adjusting and tweaking is going to make you feel ready to start. As they say, “The perfect is the enemy of the good”. Starting casually is better than delaying your start so long that you lose heart and momentum.

Pricing:

• Custom Metallic Phrase Patches – $30.00
• Metallic Heart Bandana – $25.00

Contact Info:

• Website: https://contrariumchainstitch.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contrariumchainstitch/
• TikTok: @contrariumchainstitch

Image Credits
Kelsey Huffer