On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about stitching with my guest, Mollie Johanson.
Mollie is a professional designer, illustrator, and stitcher. She’s a contributor to Simply Sewing Magazine, Love Embroidery, and World of Cross Stitching, and is the author of four craft books, including her latest, Stitching Super-Cute Food Kawaii Style.
Mollie shares creative inspiration and patterns on her long-running blog, Wild Olive, and has helped thousands of makers discover the charm of hand stitching and other crafts through her Etsy shop, online tutorials, and in-person workshops. She lives in the Chicago area, where she strives to make super cute stitching part of her daily life.
This episode is sponsored by Marcus Fabrics.
Bringing you quality quilting fabrics for 100 years.
Today’s episode is sponsored by Marcus Fabrics. Marcus Block-of-the-Month programs are among the best in the industry, combining unique, beautifully designed quilts with thoughtful, well-organized programs. Their BOMs span a variety of timelines, themes and creative approaches, giving quilters endless options to choose from.
We begin this interview with Mollie talking about growing up in Chicago and learning sewing from her grandmother. Mollie was homeschooled and, after high school, she studied graphic design at community college. She then worked as a freelance designer, including book design work for a small publisher. She transitioned to full-time crafting and pattern design after starting a blog, Wild Olive, as a creative outlet in 2004 during a difficult work period, with her sister encouraging her to begin the blog.
We discussed how blogging has evolved, and Mollie described how early on she covered various topics, including illustration work, crafts, and personal thoughts, before focusing more specifically on crafts. We also talk about the aesthetic influence of Japanese craft books. Mollie transitioned from making physical items to sell to creating digital patterns for embroidery and crochet, which allowed her to grow her business.
Mollie’s signature style includes cute, anthropomorphic faces added to inanimate objects like food, drawing inspiration from Sanrio’s Hello Kitty. Mollie explains the process she uses to create DIY tutorials for her blog and her books, emphasizing the importance of natural lighting and careful planning.
We talk about the process of writing craft books, including hiring a literary agent to help navigate contract negotiations and provide valuable guidance. Mollie’s new book, Stitching Super Cute Food, Kawaii Style, was recently published by Better Day Books.
And, of course, I ask Mollie to recommend great stuff she’s enjoying right now. Mollie recommends:
- Zipper pouches and cute zippers, specifically using the Benzie deep-etch die
- Cottage life and having a spot to work and enjoy nature
- Cookie Tin Sewing Kit
Keep up with Mollie on her blog and on Instagram.
