Karen Barbé is a Chilean designer and embroiderer based in Chicago, IL, delivering embroidery kits, digital patterns, and learning opportunities for makers.
Since founding her craft-based studio in 2009, she’s championed a handmade lifestyle by sharing inspirational visual stories on her blog and social media (@karenbarbe) and by transmitting her knowledge and passion for color and embroidery through her multi-language published book “Colour Confident Stitching”.
Karen Barbé for Joone: Paper Embroidery
We love Karen's fresh color palettes and her explorations of embroidery on non-traditional surfaces. Her Paper Embroidery Kits combine these elements in a fresh take on modern needlework.
Before commercial spools and skeins were available, people wound thread around wooden shapes to keep it neat and organized.
Elevating the materials, Karen has turned this simple practice into a very satisfying (and highly addictive!) craft that can be used to create ornaments, garlands, advent calendars, and other personalized holiday decor.