In 2019, Madewell launched the Hometown Heroes Collective, comprised of artists of note around the country. Madewell aims to include artists from each of all 50 states. In 2022, Tamara was selected as the first artist from Alabama for the national collective.

ARTIST STATEMENT

The Smallwoods is my home studio in Birmingham, Alabama. My passion for detail is what I hope comes through in my hand-stitched embroidery work as well as in the kits, patterns, and tutorials that I offer.

As an embroidery artist, I feel empowered and inspired by my community. Alabama is home to world-class sewing artists. I love that hand sewing naturally connects people of all ages, races, and socioeconomic statuses. Here and now, it’s so important to build bridges however we are able.

There is much to be celebrated regarding the accessibility of hand sewing and the resulting richness of finished works. Hand sewing is beautifully representational of the diversity of Alabamians as well as the biodiversity of our state. Metaphorically speaking, I see all of the work that I do amounting to a single hand-stitched square, pieced together in an ever-growing quilt made by those who came before me and future generations of hand sewers. As I earn a living with my work, I am committed to supporting my local community and to partnering with non-profit organizations and local artists for collaborative work.

— Tamara Harper