Japanese cross stitch designer Kyoko Maruoka reveals her favourite Christmas traditions, her stitching inspirations and her latest book
Interview by Julian Odessa
An interview with...
Enter a world of joyful kawaii whimsy as CrossStitcher sits down with Japanese designer Kyoko Maruoka to discuss Japanese cross-stitch, end of year traditions, and the release of her beautiful new book, Happy Days Cross Stitch…
How did you fall in love with cross stitch? Have you always been interested in arts and crafts?
My family ran a small factory that sewed T-shirts, so I grew up surrounded by rolls of fabric, threads, and various types of sewing machines. I enjoyed making stuffed animals and sewing my own bags, but I didn’t like helping in the family sewing factory. So, I went to college and, after graduation, got a job at a shipping company. The trigger for starting cross stitch was being asked by my sister to create a birth sampler for my nephew in 1997. During my first ever visit to an embroidery store, I saw cross-stitch patterns from overseas for the first time. Until then, I had only seen cross-stitch patterns designed by Japanese crafts people. I was amazed by the variety of beautiful and charming cross-stitch patterns, including William Morris, German designers and modern illustration-style ones – I became captivated!
Your cross-stitch patterns are a wonderful mix of modern and nostalgic designs…
I’ve stitched a wide variety of cross-stitch designs, from antique samplers to contemporary designs, as well as patterns from designers all over the world. I believe this variety has influenced my artistic style.
I have a deep respect for the long history of traditional cross-stitch passed down through generations in other countries. However, Japan does not have an old history of cross stitch. The history of counted stitch techniques in Japan is mainly focused on Sashiko and Kogin embroidery. So, I thought a slightly modern and ‘Kawaii’ style might be something I, as a Japanese designer, could contribute.
You publish a lot of your work under the name GERA! – where did this name come from?
‘Gera’ is actually my nickname from a previous workplace. In Japanese, ‘gera-gera’, refers to the sound of laughter. My friends say that my distinctive laughter sounds like a bird’s chirping. I thought that naming my brand ‘Gera!’ would convey a fun atmosphere!
What was the inspiration behind writing Happy Days Cross Stitch?
Like so many new ventures, Happy Days Cross Stitch, was developed during the COV
