Meet Emily Joynton and Loop 306
Loop 306 is the chainstitch embroidery studio of Emily Joynton. She has been a working illustrator for nearly a decade and jumped at the opportunity in 2023 to fulfill a years-long dream: buy a chainstitch embroidery machine and begin making work. Her vintage Singer machine operates with no computer technology - Emily dictates the speed with a pedal and carefully guides the needle via hand crank, allowing her to write and draw with thread. She has since created patches from her original illustrations, popped up at small businesses all over Philly for live stitching events, and aims to only continue growing her skills and take on new, exciting projects. She is available for commissions both large & small, and live stitching at events. Reach out to talk about bringing her on for your next project!
How did you start chain stitching?
I first learned about chainstitch embroidery when I attended the 2016 Illustration Conference in Austin and the chainstitch studio Ft. Lonesome gave a presentation on their work. It made such an impression on me that I promised myself if I ever saw a machine come up for sale, I had to buy it. In 2023 I was freelancing full-time as an illustrator when a chain-stitcher in Philly told me they were selling their machine and offered it to me before posting it publicly since they knew I was interested. This was no small financial decision so I hesitated for a moment but very soon after said yes. As an illustrator, my work has been almost exclusively two-dimensional and I haven’t had much experience with machinery - I don’t even know how to sew. But for some reason when I went to that Ft. Lonesome talk and saw what they created with their machines, I just knew I could figure it out. Along the way I have received a lot of excellent advice, troubleshooting help, tips on maintenance, and technical recommendations from the relatively small chainstitch community that I am eternally grateful for. I’ve been able to take my skills as an illustrator and translate them into chainstitch embroidery, and that has been such a rewarding experience especially as my technique continues to improve.
What inspires you to create?
I really do just enjoy the process of chainstitching. It is methodical, tactile, and allows me to get locked into a project and just go. I can be inspired to sit down at the machine knowing that whatever project or practice piece I have in front of me is all I have to focus on for the moment, and that feels pretty liberating. In my last job as an art director and in-house illustrator, I spent so much time at my computer or working on my tablet. I do love digital illustration and the way it allows for infinite edits and streamlined processes, but it wasn’t until I had some distance from that job that I realized how much I missed drawing on paper, painting, and working with other materials completely separate from a screen. Chainstitching has been such a wonderful creative outlet that is so different from the other ways I create. More conceptually, my interests in the natural world are constant inspirations - flowers, birds, landscapes are always motifs I will turn to. And honestly, my clients are always an inspiration and make me want to keep going! Everyone has been so kind, patient, enthusiastic, and complimentary of my work, even in the early days of doing live events when I was very nervous to essentially be performing in front of an audience. It really warms my heart to take something and make it extra special for someone through a process that is also very cool to watch.
What’s your most memorable pop up event so far?
I think it has to be the Beers on Bancroft event I worked at Second District Brewing in early October. All my pop-ups have been great - I’ve got to work with so many lovely people and see their businesses and meet wonderful customers from different neighborhoods. But the Beers on Bancroft felt extra memorable for a few reasons. Instead of being part of a market or corner pop-up, I was part of a block party where people were eating, drinking, and enjoying the beautiful day while also being in no rush to leave, so when I got a little backed up with projects all coming in at once, I still had plenty of time to wrap up almost all commissions within the afternoon. I also had a tiny 6-year-old customer who got her name and a flower stitched on a mini tote, and she came up to my table no fewer than probably ten different times asking if I was done yet before I was able to get to her piece. It was hilarious and probably a great practice in patience for both of us 😆
Do you listen to music when you’re in the studio?
Absolutely! I have a few playlists I’ll put on, and the albums I Don’t Live Here Anymore by The War on Drugs and Court and Spark by Joni Mitchell have been in heavy rotation with me for years now. But honestly I mostly listen to podcasts, anything that will hold my attention well enough without me having to hear every word to know what’s going on. I am a classic true crime comedy podcast gal (Wine & Crime, My Favorite Murder, and True Crime Obsessed have gotten me through literally thousands of stitches) and also love You’re Wrong About, Normal Gossip and Hit Parade.
