About Louise Jean
I’m Louise Jean, an embroidery artist who’s ever so slightly obsessed with colour, texture, and of course, turning your ideas into stitched stories.
Thread is my paint, fabric is my canvas, and together they allow me to capture moments and emotions in a way that’s both playful and deeply personal. I love the process of combining bold and unexpected colours, and creating a sense of movement that makes each piece feel alive.
Most of my work is commissioned, and that’s where the magic really happens. I love listening to someone’s story – their inspirations, memories, or wild ideas – and then transforming it into an embroidery artwork that’s completely unique to them. It might be a tiny detail that carries huge meaning (your pet chihuahua will have you staring lovingly into his threaded eyes), or a big, vibrant piece that lights up a room (how does a red velvet curtain with a seaside theme sound?). Every stitch is a collaboration between your vision and my hands.
Alongside commissions, I create original artworks that explore my own love of colour, rhythm, and whimsy. Some of these become fine art prints, so more people can enjoy the texture and energy of embroidery in their homes.
In 2025, I started rescuing second-hand clothing and giving it new life with a pop of embroidery — partly a small act of rebellion against fast fashion (which inevitably ends up suffocating our planet), and partly to create truly unique clothing items with character and a story to tell. That same year I tried my hand at linocut printing and quickly fell in love with it. The slow carving process feels very similar to stitching: meticulous, thoughtful, and intentional mark-making. I originally created a separate Instagram account for my embroidered clothing and was about to start another for linocut prints, when I realised they all come from the same creative place. So Louise Jean Embroidery evolved into Louise Jean Unlimited — a space where all my creative work can live together under one roof.
At the heart of it all, my work is about connection: connecting people to their own stories, to unexpected bursts of colour, and to the joy of something made slowly, stitch by stitch, just for them.
So if you’re after embroidery that’s vibrant, funky, and a little rebellious against the ordinary – welcome. We’re going to get along just fine.
Wondering what to do next? Visit my SHOP and brighten up a space in your place today! Thinking of commissioning something truly unique? Check out my past commissions and behind-the-scenes process pics in the COMMISSIONS gallery.
Collaborations and achievements:
2021 – commissioned to create art works for a theatre production in Zurich, Switzerland (Edward Albee’s Zoo Story)
2022/2023 – hosted beginners and intermediate embroidery workshops at Thimbles Quilting Shop in Cape Town
2023 – collaborated with Casamento Furniture Design and local botanical artist, Kim Black, to create a bespoke sofa (and train the Casamento head embroiderer in shading techniques)
2023 – received a Top 50 National Art Award at the 2023 ARTi Gallery Art Competition for my piece titled “Prima Donna” – a modern, African take on Michelangelo’s “Mona Lisa”.
2024 – created exclusive napkins for the luxurious Jonkmanshof Guest House in Montagu, Western Cape
