Thread
DMC six-strand cotton, the embroiderer’s standard. Colourfast, with a soft sheen, and every colour has a number, so your thread palette can be matched for years.
The atelier
A one-person studio, by design
Furrytale began with one dog stitched onto one tote bag, and friends’ pets lining up after. It has stayed deliberately small: one maker, eight commissions a month, every stitch by the same pair of hands. Photos fade and videos sink to the bottom of a camera roll. A thread portrait on the wall catches your eye every single day.
Materials are chosen to outlive us both: DMC cotton thread, natural linen, beech hoops, acid-free backing.
Honest materials
What every piece is made of
Fabric
Natural linen, pulled drum-tight in the hoop so the stitches sit crisp and even.
Hoop
Beech wood, sanded and left natural. The Portrait arrives ready to hang.
Backing
Acid-free card behind every piece, so nothing yellows over time.
Caring for it
- Hang it out of direct sunlight.
- Dust it now and then with a soft, dry brush.
- Never wash it or press it with an iron.
How it’s made
Slow, on purpose
From photo to doorstep in two to four weeks. Going slow is what handmade means.
- 01
Day one
The photo
Send the photo that is most them. Can’t choose? Send a few and I’ll tell you which will stitch best.
- 02
Within two days
The sketch
Within two days you get a hand-drawn sketch and thread palette. Nothing is stitched until you love it.
- 03
One to three weeks
The stitching
Twenty-five to forty hours under the needle. Progress photos arrive as the portrait grows.
- 04
At your door
The unboxing
Hooped or framed, wrapped in kraft and ribbon, and shipped with tracking.
Questions
Before you ask
What kind of photo works best?
Bright, sharp, and taken at your pet’s eye level: the eyes carry the whole portrait. Front-facing works best for busts; a full-body shot suits The Heirloom. Unsure? Send three to five photos and I’ll tell you which one will stitch beautifully.
How long will my commission take?
The Keepsake ships in about a week, The Portrait in two to three, The Heirloom in three to four, plus shipping. Only eight commissions are accepted each month, so book ahead for birthdays and anniversaries.
Can I request changes along the way?
At the sketch stage, as many as you like, until the pose, expression and thread palette feel right. Once stitching begins the design is fixed, but progress photos are shared and small adjustments to shading are often possible.
Is the Thread Studio preview what I’ll get?
No. It’s a quick digital sketch that helps you pick a photo and get a feel for the colours. Your real piece is drawn by hand and stitched with far more care around the eyes, nose and expression.
Can you stitch two pets together?
Yes. The Heirloom welcomes a second pet for an extra $60. For a Keepsake or Portrait, ask and I’ll suggest the best layout.
What is it made of, and how do I care for it?
DMC cotton thread on natural linen, in beech hoops with acid-free backing. Keep it out of direct sunlight and dust it occasionally with a soft brush. That’s all. Thread doesn’t fade the way ink and photo paper do.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes: worldwide, tracked, in a rigid box. Shipping is included on The Portrait and The Heirloom. Most parcels arrive within one to two weeks of dispatch.
Is it gift-ready? Can you ship directly to someone?
Every piece leaves in a kraft box with cotton ribbon and a handwritten card bearing the pet’s name. I’m happy to ship straight to the recipient with your message inside. Memorial commissions are handled with particular care.
Commissions open
Begin with one photograph
Send the photo and tell me a little about them. You’ll hear back within 48 hours with a slot date and a sketch plan.
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