Rya Priede

Think of this as embroidery with a twist. I’ve always loved sewing and textiles,n partly because my mother sewed professionally. I’m a Minneapolis-based picture framer with a home studio. I’m grateful to have a job that doesn’t feel like a job.

Several years ago, I discovered the “Big Little Book” series. Published around the 1930s - 1960s, they were small, 3x3 inch children’s books. I love both the illustrations and the way the captions from the story - when taken out of context and viewed through a feminist lens - just make me smile. The original book pages are scanned and enlarged, then mounted on linen to provide enough strength to handle the embroidery.

Here’s a little secret: the backs are just as fun as the fronts. You see just the sofcolorful thread on the neutral linen. Removed from the printed illustration, it’s a pure record of the sewing.