Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sophie Shoemake. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sophie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

My embroidery journey started during the pandemic, when I was looking for a creative outlet to keep busy at home. I became obsessed with hand embroidery, discovering there were no limits to what I could create or the stories I could tell through my work. As I shared my projects on social media, people started reaching out for custom orders. The more I shared, the more interest I got, and that is how Stitched by Soph was born!
Eventually, I invested in an embroidery machine, which allowed me to fulfill orders faster and take on larger projects. It was a game-changer, and the business grew naturally from there. I knew I could succeed because I was offering something unique, and the demand for custom, handmade items was clearly there. What started as a personal creative outlet turned into a real business I’m passionate about, and that drive is what keeps me going.

Sophie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, I’m Sophie Shoemake, and I’m an embroidery artist with a passion for both hand and machine embroidery. My journey into this craft started during the pandemic, when I was looking for a way to stay creative and connected to something meaningful. What began as a personal hobby quickly grew into a deep love for the medium, and eventually a busines!
Each new project is an opportunity to push my skills and grow, and that has been a huge part of my journey as an artist and person.
Whether it is custom wall art, napkins, clothing, hats, etc – I love the joy of seeing people connect with the final product. The ability to take something simple and turn it into a treasured keepsake is amazing.
Recently, I’ve even started doing live embroidery at events, where guests can watch the process and take home something they’re excited about—whether it’s a custom piece or a fun, personalized souvenir. The ability to create something meaningful on the spot and see people light up when they receive it is truly one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
At the heart of Stitched by Soph is a love for the craft and a commitment to quality, creativity, and the joy of giving. I’m excited to continue growing my skills, taking on new challenges, and sharing my work with others. If you’re looking for something special, whether it’s a custom design or a memorable experience, I’d love to bring your ideas to life.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Looking back, there are definitely a few resources I wish I’d known about earlier in my creative journey. One of the biggest lessons I learned was how valuable platforms like YouTube and Reddit can be when you’re trying to learn something new. When I decided to invest in an embroidery machine, I was a bit naive about the learning curve it involved. I had been used to sketching and hand-stitching my designs, so the idea of machine embroidery—along with all the new jargon, supplies, and techniques—felt completely foreign to me. I had no idea that there was an entire new layer of complexity, like digitizing designs, and I found it all a bit overwhelming. In fact, the day my embroidery machine arrived, I tried it once, got intimidated, and then left it untouched for months.
It wasn’t until I discovered YouTube channels dedicated to machine embroidery that I really started making progress. I found step-by-step tutorials that broke things down in a way I could understand and apply to my own projects. Additionally, Reddit communities for machine embroidery were incredibly helpful. Whenever I ran into problems or had questions, I could just post and get answers from others who had already gone through the same learning curve. Those resources were a game-changer and helped me get over the initial hurdles I was facing with the machine.
In general, I now realize just how useful it is to lean on online communities and educational content when you’re learning something new—it can save you so much time and frustration, and open up a whole new world of possibilities for your creative practice.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The driving force behind my creative journey is the joy I find in being creative, challenging myself, and the happiness that comes from making things that are meaningful to others. Growing up, I was deeply inspired by my dad, who’s a photographer. I had the privilege of seeing how his eye for beauty and creativity made such an impact on people—whether through a photograph that captured a special moment or through the way his work connected with others. For me, embroidery is the perfect medium to express that creativity. I stand with the idea that iIt’s not just about creating something beautiful—it’s about creating something that tells a story, evokes emotion, or marks a special moment that I got to help bring to life!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ihavethisfriend.co/talent/profile/67059eb7-f01f-4ca0-bbef-61c0d64f3e7f
• Instagram: @stitched_by_sophs