A Stitch People Portrait with Heart: The Sherrill Family
Every now and then, a project comes across my desk (well, embroidery hoop!) that stays with me long after the final stitch has been set. This Stitch People portrait of the Sherrill family was one of those pieces.
This portrait was part of a wonderful gift-giving initiative during Thanksgiving 2023, led by my lovely friend Heather at @munnsmade — a fellow stitcher with a heart just as big as her talent. She gathered nominations for families who had experienced a particularly challenging year and I offered my stitchy services to make one of the nominations, too. I even did this last year via her gift-giving, too!
A Family Worth Celebrating in Thread
I was lucky enough to be able to create a portrait for the Sherrill family — a sweet trio (plus one very adorable pup!) who'd had a really tough year. The details shared with me, though private, gave me such a strong sense of who they are: resilient, loving, and deeply connected. It was clear they deserved something truly special.
The most meaningful stitches are made with the heart.
Adding Meaning Through Tiny Details
As I planned the portrait, I included as many personal touches as I could. Each family member's top was stitched in their favourite colour, which instantly made the piece feel more "them". Their daughter was described as having sensory sensitivities, so I paid close attention to how I represented her outfit — a beautiful, multi-blue-coloured dress with leggings & cardigan that felt just right.
I made sure to include the family's cute little dog (because pets are family too!), everyone's regular glasses, and even the daughter's high ponytail, mom's heels, and dad's sneakers. It's often those tiny details that bring the most heart to a piece.
A Personal Touch with My DIY Font
For the lettering, I used one of my own DIY backstitch fonts; "Daphne" (my personal favourite font of mine!) — which felt like the perfect fit. Because the family name included a double "r" and "l," I took a little creative liberty to tweak the spacing for better balance, and honestly? It came out just right (if I do say so myself!).
A Blooming Border for a Special Family
And because this portrait held a particularly tender spot in my heart, I decided to go the extra mile with delicate, hand-embroidered florals. Adding that soft touch of nature, with blossoms and greenery curling around the top and side of the hoop, made the piece feel complete — like it was blooming with the love and care that this family so deserves.
A Quiet Gift of Kindness
I didn't hear back from the family directly, but I always tell myself that "no news is good news" 😆 — and I truly hope it's found a home on a wall that sees joy, laughter, and healing everyday. At the very least, I hope it served as a small reminder that even in hard seasons, they are seen and loved.
This portrait reminded me why I do what I do — that stitching can be a quiet but powerful way to show we care. And sometimes, the most beautiful things we create aren't just made with thread; but with empathy and intention.
