Kirsten Doogue is an embroidery artist specializing in hand embroidery techniques. She began embroidering as a teenager when her mother taught her crewelwork, needlepoint, and cross stitch. She quickly realized that embroidery stirred up an inner sense of accomplishment, artistry, and relaxation that was both gratifying and appealing. College studies in Chemistry and Electrical Engineering required her to complete intensive and detail oriented design projects that provided a similar sense of accomplishment (but not relaxation!) and put her embroidery work in a temporary holding pattern. After college, she pursued a “day job” in engineering and marketing and branched out into a plethora of new fiber arts in the evenings and on weekends. Learning new techniques became a true passion – and new pursuits included knitting, smocking, needle felting and whitework (among others). Discovering some of the less represented 17th Century English techniques changed her path once again. Kirsten pivoted in her craft and decided to refine her interests.
Kirsten’s current work is focused on Jacobean crewelwork, goldwork, and silk stumpwork. In order to augment her knowledge and skill, she completed the Royal School of Needlework’s Certificate in Technical Hand Embroidery, Embroiderers’ Guild of America’s classes, and numerous online classes. Kirsten has also strengthened her techniques by studying historic pieces in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection (many thanks to the museum for allowing private viewings). This research has provided illuminating details of stitch composition as well as threads of the time.
In 2018, Kirsten was recognized as a Master Craftsman in Crewel Embroidery by the Embroiderer’s Guild of America. Her final project was an embroidered chair back utilizing Jacobean stitching with leather appliqué on velvet (to bring to life a Swedish folk art design). Later in the same year, Kirsten was also accepted into the League of New Hampshire Craftsman by a jury of fiber artists.
Kirsten currently lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children. She continues to seek out inspiring projects to improve her art, expand her knowledge, and build expertise in historic embroidery and historic threads.
