Meet Patsy Jean Gelb | Chainstitch Embroidery Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Patsy Jean Gelb and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Patsy Jean, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was interested in embroidery and didn’t know exactly what to do with that. I taught myself free-motion embroidery on a regular home sewing machine since this was accessible to me. It’s a tedious and difficult process but you basically use a zigzag stitch to create the images you want on textiles, layer by layer. I dreamed of having my own chainstitch embroidery machine, a unique industrial machine designed to create works of embroidery art. Finally, I found my machine at a yard sale in my home town of Tucson AZ for the incredible price of $50.00. Being around one hundred years old, it needed some love plus an updated motor. Next I had to figure out how to actually drive the thing which felt somewhat like wrangling an old tractor. Matt of Rangerstich Embroidery out of Nashville, was a major help and mentor from a far. He helped me trouble shoot machine issues and guided me towards resources and materials etc. After months of practice the business sort of came naturally, eventually folks started wanting custom embroidery of their own and I felt confident enough with the machine to make those dreams come true. Recently I have started working more events which I really enjoy. I bring my machine and embroider on the spot while folks watch and wait. Its a really exciting and interesting edition to a party and I love to see the joy personalization brings the guests.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am most inspired by the natural world. I have always had a strong fascination for nature and it definitely dominates my work. I also enjoy vintage clothing a great deal, so doing embroidery on vintage or second hand articles makes a lot of sense to me. It’s a wonderful way to give new life to old clothes and get people excited about them again. I hope my work opens peoples minds to recycling old clothes as well as inspiring wonder in the natural world. The more we’re interested in the natural world and intrigued by it, the more we will understand the importance of protecting it. My professional path is a winding road and I am always learning and growing. Because I do many different things I don’t always put all my focus on one element, as a musician, stylist, costumer, artist and naturalist, I believe each fascet only supports the other. I would say it is important to follow your interests even if you don’t know exactly where they are leading.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would start at Barista Del Barrio for breakfast burritos then drive out west to the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum to see the 10am Raptor Free Flight Demo (a demo I volunteer and participate in weekly). After that we would be ready to hit 22nd ave antique mall and How Sweet it Was Vintage. Next I suppose we would get fresh handmade pasta and gelato from Ceres in El Presidio. Just before Sunset we would hike the Painted Hills trail and then it would be time for Mezcal and snacks at Bar Crisol. Depending on the night, we might go to Spaghetti Club for drinks and dancing where myself, my husband and some friends have DJ nights.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Again I am thankful to Rangerstitch out of Nashville and Large Lemonade of Los Angeles. Both are impressive chainstitch embroidery businesses that have directly helped me out along my own journey. It’s extremely beneficial when experts are willing to take time to help someone new on their path- especially with such a specialized skill.

Website: https://www.patsyjeanembroidery.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patsyjean.embroidery/

Image Credits
Portrait photo is taken by Julius Schlosburg