We recently connected with Meghan McAleavy and have shared our conversation below.
Meghan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.
In 2010, my husband and I were discussing a design project making an embroidered banner he could use as advertisement while working at tattoo conventions. I loved this idea so of course I obliged. I based the art work off one of his paintings of a tiger head, which I made using a combination of appliqué and embroidery on canvas with his name above in felt lettering. His banner caught the eye of many fellow tattoo artists and soon after I received my first commission from a Tattooer and “Odd Fellow” named Bubba Reeves. Because Bubba was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he naturally wanted a tattoo banner crafted in the same style as one that could be found in a I.O.O.F lodge: Satin, fringe, and metallic gold trims. Back then, it really wasn’t common for tattooers to have a textile banner. So I think the uniqueness of having a handmade banner that wasn’t painted or a vinyl reproduction really appealed to tattooers. Making other artists these banners was in itself a promotion for my own work. That very first banner I made sparked a snowball effect on my business.
Meghan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Since I was a child I have been obsessed with creating and making art. My grandmother was a big influence on me and taught me how to hand stitch and crochet at the age of 5. For my 14th birthday she gifted me her old sewing machine, a mid 1900’s tabletop machine. I taught myself how to use it and started making my own patterns for clothes. Although I loved to paint, draw, and work with clay, sewing was my true passion. This led me to want to study textiles, so I attended Oregon College of Art and Craft and graduated with a BFA in Textiles in 2005.
OCAC was the right choice to explore fiber arts, such as weaving and surface design. I never thought I’d actually be able to make a living from it. After college I took on many creative jobs like upholstery , window treatments, and one off decorative pieces because it all seemed like the potential was there. Yet I still hadn’t hit my stride in any specific area and it wasn’t until later that I focused on embroidery. This is something I taught myself. It wasn’t through books or the Internet, just trial and error. I’ve always been that way. If I want to make something I’m going to figure out how to do it on my own. So that is when I narrowed down the scope of what I wanted to create and it grew from there.
I would say my work is inspired by traditional masonic, esoteric and Fraternal Lodge banners. I think this is what appeals to my client’s, handmade, one of a kind artwork that can also be used to express their business, brand, or aesthetic.
I like to combine appliqué and embroidery to create a sense of depth and texture in my work. Appliqué is when pieces of fabric are cut out and layered on top a larger piece to create an image. The edges are then sewn down using a satin stitch, which is basically a very tight zig-zag stitch. I use free hand machine embroidery to embellish the appliqué. I predominantly work with Satin fabrics for my banners.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Definitely the tattoo industry first and Instagram second. It seems to have become a trend in the tattoo world to have a handmade banner adorned with fringe. I understand that imitation is the highest form of flattery but I truly hoped that it would inspire people more than just have the work directly copied. With that being said it is exciting to see other people making amazing textile work like Bisa Butler, Christina Smith, Erin Riley and many more.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Probably online platforms like Instagram, word of mouth, and being published in magazines like Juxtapoz and Total Tattoo . I believe the best representation is in person. I’ve made banners for several different restaurants and hotels over last decade and much of those projects were initiated by my work being recognized in design specific locations like The Cherry Circle room in Chicago or The Lafayette in San Diego.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.meghanmcaleavy.com
- Instagram: mmtextiles
Image Credits
Artist Portrait by Sara Stadtmiller