I stumbled across Ellie Mac Embroidery on Instagram a few years ago; it was an instant obsession. Ellie stitches creatures of the sea and sky as well as flowers, hearts and pearl encrusted eyes onto cloths, napkins, table runners, patches and scrunchies… her choice of colour and detail are as resplendent as they are playful. Her pieces are tactile and many of them small that you could hold them in your hand like a precious little bird. I love that the pieces are all handmade by Ellie - each one commanding attention to be created; midwifed by Ellie’s vintage Irish Singer and a Juki free-hand machine. The precious patches are to be sewn onto garments or delicately balanced next to your mirror in your bedroom alongside a hairbrush, make up and other special little things. There is a vintage romanticism and charm to her pieces that make me excited to see the next new piece only to fall in love all over again declaring a new favourite. It’s no surprise when each piece sells out instantly.

Ellie currently collaborates with artist from different mediums along with creating her own embroidered collections. Each of her pieces are drawn, freehand machine embroidered and finished by hand producing limited edition high end embroideries. I was thrilled when Ellie agreed to answer our quick-fire Q&A and her answers are DIVINE. Thanks Ellie! Enjoy.

What’s a GOOD breakfast for a great day?
Breakfast is always a must for me - I love a fry up but a slightly healthy one - think pretentious Artisan bread etc Ha! And tea (lots of).

What does a typical day look like for you?

We are all very early risers, up around 5.30 every day , I do love the early mornings .

I then get my 12 year old son Vincent out to school & head to beach with my friends for a dip or go to yoga. Normally I get to my studio around 9/10ish where I get on my machine until around 2 , any longer and I start making mistakes! My afternoons are normally spent emailing and doing chores ready for my son to return home. I make sure I switch off then focus on family. Bed is normally pretty early (unless something or someone has persuaded me out!).

The embroidered matches are the best! What’s your favourite piece/s at the moment?

I would say the Alma collaboration (below) is my favourite recent body of work, her work offered so much inspiration. We are currently digitising some of the designs which is new territory for me, would be great to produce some larger table linens.

Who made you go WOW and stop you in your tracks lately?

Its hard to think off the top of my head for names but when I do see a maker that I find really inspiring I’m always keen to chat and see how we can work together , this is how it started with Alma though an Instagram conversation! I’m also delving into a lot of medieval Art research at the moment. I rarely read - not got the focus for it.

Alma (Left) and Ellie shot by @jothornephotography

Where have you been recently that you loved?

I’ve not been abroad since pre covid but we’ve been down to Folkestone a few times recently, love it there, it’s got a bit of everything. Reminds me of Brighton ( where I live ) but 20 years ago.

What have you been pleasantly surprised by recently?

That I could start a car, 10 years after I took and failed my test.
What are you excited about?

I’m pretty excited to be on the school holidays - it feels good to step off the routine treadmill.

What’s on your studio playlist?

I’m in an open plan studio so it’s generally Radio 6 on but I love to stick my headphones on and listen to podcast , normally a slightly random selection of crime and health. I find podcasts more meditative when I sew.

What’s on your wishlist for your own home?
A cleaner .. HA!
I’ve always loved the Ligne Roset 70s sofas - a 2 piece in green velvet.

What's your home style like / how has it evolved over time?
I’ve grown up in a family of antique and textile traders - my mum’s got an amazing eye for buying but also a habit to hoard, the older I’ve got the more I’ve appreciated the minimal look, I don’t want to dust stuff in my spare time!

Tell us a secret talent (speaking french, wiggling your ears, seeing into the future)…
I would say I’m very sensitive & intuitive at times. This can be handy but also a bit of drain if you let it tip into over thinking.

If you could wake up tomorrow with a new skill (e.g learning a new instrument or language) what would it be?
learning a language would be handy and I’ve never really had the talent for that or to learn to knit.

A classic question from a child (maybe four years old?) - What’s your favourite colour and what’s your favourite animal?
Pink & pigs

What’s your spirit animal?
Something energetic that burns out and then has to chill out in the sun to recharge - maybe a Gecko. This question did just prompt me to take an online quiz and that came out with a lion - I think a Gecko is more apt ;)

I am a ‘smeller’ in that I love smelling smells! We huff on leather, varnish, books and old oil paintings all the time because we’re around antiques a lot. Near where we live in Wales there is a honeysuckle bush and the smell takes you to another place. If someone bottled it and sold it as perfume, I’d buy the lot. It’s cheesy but…What’s a great ‘life affirming’ smell for you?
Ooh I’m a smeller too - honeysuckle reminds me of sitting on my garden wall growing up. I also love tomato plant leaves that should definitely be bottled - I rarely wear perfume as I can find them overpowering , I use a pricey little bottle of Doterra Frankincense essential oil.

What’s really important to you right now?
Having a good laugh with friends and family to balance out all the gloom and doom we constantly seem to hear.