The interest that we’ve had in our vintage embroidered pieces has reached an all time high over the past couple of years. Luckily for us, we are always well equipped to meet the demand with an abundance of textile beauties arriving at the studio each week. Whether it’s 19th century samplers or intricate botanical studies, we can’t help but think about the women behind the stitches. For so long a mixture of misogyny and a general disregard for the intricacies of embroidery blocked a higher form of appreciation of the craft and the skillful people behind it. But now more than ever we’re seeing a real interest in embroidery and its history as a luxurious and personal craft. Our friend Maria of Rosita Studio knows this all too well, with her bespoke business keeping constantly busy with commissioned pieces, workshops and fool-proof embroidery starter kits. The demand for skillfully hand crafted items is bigger than ever. We’re so grateful to Maria for answering some questions for us all about her business, her taste in vintage art and what inspires her. We hope you love this chat just as much as we did!

Tell us the inspiration behind the name Rosita Studio

Rosita was my grandma. She passed away three years ago aged 96. She was born and lived all her life in a tiny village and never fully connected with the modern world. I used to see her often up until I moved up to the UK (from Catalonia, in Spain). I chose to name my business after her, because even though she wasn’t a very fine sewer, she represented many of the values I pursue in my work and life: hard working, wise on matters of nature and traditions, multi skilled in rural crafts... The simple life, which seems so hard to achieve nowadays.

What’s the best part about starting your own business?

Easy, being my own boss. I really enjoyed some jobs in the past but there was always an element that I struggled with and that was having a boss. I like to organise my day the way it suits me and not having to fit on certain timetable! It also works well as my partner has a very full-on job running a bakery 6 nights a week and now we have a one year old this flexibility is key on our day to day life.

Are there any particular textile artists that inspire your practice?

Not really, I take inspiration from artists and artisans of any art practice. I work with textiles and embroidery because I inherited this passion from my mum and I’m already skilled on it, but I often think if I had the time to train and explore, I would expand to other disciplines. Growing up I took painting and drawing classes for years, always been interested in ceramics, pattern design etc.

Do you have a favourite art movement?

Definitely more than one but if I have to pick, I really like the Arts and Crafts movement since creating beautiful but practical objects is what I do on my business too.

What do you look for in a vintage piece? (not just artworks!)

When buying pieces for my own home I tend to look for timeless designs. As much as I love to look at elaborated woodwork, glasswork etc simpler designs suit better my style.When I look for vintage artwork I love oil paintings that show daily life scenes from the past.

Do you have an all time favourite artwork?

Impossible to pick just one but if I have to, Fisherwomen by Joaquín Sorolla.

You’ve run lots of exciting embroidery workshops this year, have you got any more coming up in 2025?

I’m working to be able to do an online monogramming workshop as I have loads of international customers and I get asked about it a lot. I don’t have any 2025 workshops confirmed yet but I would love to run some more next Spring.

Keep up with Maria’s work by following her on instagram! @rositastudio.uk and on her website https://www.rositastudio.co.uk/