My name is Hannah Weissman, and I am the crafting cartographer. I have been involved in fiber arts since elementary school (sewing, embroidering, felting). For many years, I was a casual crafter. However, when I was recovering from surgery in 2018, I began to embroider for several hours a day. It was during that time that I embroidered my first map, and ever since then, I have been hooked! Embroidering maps is a wonderful way to bring a special place to life. I particularly enjoy making trail maps of places where I like to run and ski. And of course, as a Minnesotan, I love embroidering lakes.
In 2023, after I had covered most of my walls with embroidered maps, I decided to try selling my work, and it has been such a joyful experience. Embroidery is more than just an art form for me; it is a way to connect with people and cultures across the world. At every craft fair I attend, I have talked with people of all ages and backgrounds about their own embroidery. This is not surprising, given that embroidery has a long history across every continent as an art form, a method of storytelling, and a decorative addition to garments. As the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City says, “Embroidery is an Agent of Cultural Memory."
Growing up in Minnesota, I was exposed to American Indian, European, and Asian embroidery, which helped inspire my work. There are many more examples of embroidery, including those from South America, Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. I am honored to make a small contribution to this beautiful art form and to continue stitching together meaningful connections. Below are more details about embroidery in each of these cultures.
In Europe, the most famous piece of embroidery is probably the Bayeux Tapestry, a 1,000-year-old embroidered piece that tells the story of the Battle of Hastings. This tapestry was created to communicate to the public, most of whom were illiterate. This tapestry, which survived centuries of war and disaster, is now on display to the public. When I visited Northern France, it was amazing to see 1,000-year-old embroidery stitches that I use in my artwork.
In Asia, the Hmong people used embroidery to pass down stories. Before emigrating to the United States, the Hmong people, an indigenous, nomadic community from Southeast Asia, did not have a written language; these tapestries were key to preserving cultural knowledge. There is a large Hmong community in Minnesota, and it is common to see these beautiful tapestries. My elementary school had one hanging in the main office.
In the Americas, indigenous communities used embroidery to adorn clothing and shoes. Before colonization, the use of feathers and quills was commonplace in embroidery. After settlers arrived in the Americas, beadwork became more popular among American Indians. While I have never used feathers or a quill in my work, I have incorporated beads to mark specific places of significance in a map.