Once upon a time, there was a tea towel to embroider in cross stitch

It is not a fictional tale, but the very real story

of a cross-stitch creation :

the « Rose Thé » tea towel.

Because before becoming a carefully crafted piece to embroider, it began as an idea. 

And this idea, like always at Les Brodeuses Parisiennes, starts with a story — a story I’m going to share with you.

I am Judith Dessons, the manager of Les Brodeuses Parisiennes and the artistic director.

What does “artistic director” mean? It’s a unique role, essential to the creation of an artistic and commercial universe, yet often little known.

My job is to oversee all our creations, to vary themes and inspirations, so that we can offer you embroidery charts full of creativity, with strong character and a distinctive visual identity — with one goal: that you truly enjoy stitching our creations.

Because embroidery, above all, is about enjoyment — dreaming, escaping the everyday, spending a delightful moment — and of course, the satisfaction of a beautiful piece, lovingly completed!

So I begin by imagining new supports for embroidery that follow current trends — yes, even in the world of embroidery and crafts, there are trends — and always looking for ways to innovate.

Here are just a few examples among many:

Designing an opening in the lining of our pouches and bags, so you can slip your hand inside to embroider. That’s us.

Printed wooden ornaments with cross-stitch motifs? That’s us too.

Tea towels with multiple Aïda inclusions ? Yes — still us.

And of course, the in-depth research into our beloved French heritage.

So I imagine, I dream… and then I organize, surrounded by talented women, each an expert in her field. 

It starts with the well-known Véronique Enginger, our cross-stitch designer.

To be able to draw is already a gift.

But to draw using only little squares — that is extremely difficult.

Such designers are rare. And Véronique is even more so: despite this constraint — which, as you can imagine, limits the fluidity of the line — she manages to preserve the delicacy, the emotion, the lightness of a traditional drawing, like a watercolor.

Now, let’s begin the story…

Once upon a time… a lovely French patisserie.

We’re in Paris, in springtime. The weather is lovely. I’ve just treated myself to a small bouquet of seasonal flowers: scented miniature roses, primroses, and violets freshly picked from the undergrowth.

I walk past the window of a dainty French pastry boutique. Inside, I see delicate petits gâteaux with fruity flavors, each one resting on a white paper doily.

I can’t resist — because I’ve had an idea!

I’ll buy these beautiful pastries, take out my mismatched but beloved teacups and teapot found at flea markets — they’re all different, not part of a set, but they have one thing in common: floral patterns. I adore the mix!

Then, back home, I’ll set a lovely table :

flowers, porcelain, petits gâteaux — all on a soft powder-pink tablecloth. I’ll invite my dear friends.

It will be a joyful, refined, and sweet moment moment — the perfect setting to share our little secrets!

This is the story I tell my team: Véronique, Valérie, and Valériane.

I also show them images I’ve gathered, carefully selected to best illustrate my story.

Valérie, our textile graphic designer, will then begin designing the embroidery support — the tea towel. We discuss it together to get the best possible result.

The woven pattern must be carefully composed, balancing filled and empty areas, while respecting the technical constraints of weaving. 

A design that is too fine will be unreadable once woven — but overly thick lines lose elegance.

It’s a demanding task, and Valérie is particularly gifted at it.

Then we consider the fineness of the Aïda: 14-count, 16-count, or even 18-count? 

What will be the ideal size to welcome the future embroidery — while always making sure the weave remains clear and comfortable to stitch, so that your crosses stay even and precise.

I present the project to our chosen weaver — selected from several options.

In this case, the weaving is entrusted to an Italian craftsman: Andrea. He speaks French with a beautiful accent, rolling his R’s — which I adore.

He’s always enthusiastic and, with his team, conducts many weaving tests to reach the outcome I had in mind: precise Aïda inclusions and the perfect background shade to enhance the embroidery.

It’s a challenge, because the numerous and large Aïda inclusions affect the tension required in the weave.

We must avoid an unbalanced feel in the hand — Tight here, too soft there.

Once this step is complete, we receive samples in different shades of pink.

Before that, we had sent him a reference of DMC Mouliné thread as a color guide for the pink we were hoping to achieve.

Andrea then dyes his yarns to get as close as possible.

Once we choose the final tone, he sends us the first prototype of the tea towel.

It’s always an exciting moment!

Véronique then visits me at our boutique-workshop. She has already begun dreaming around the story I shared.

She discovers the tea towel prototype, then selects her color palette of embroidery threads for the designs she’ll soon design.

Together, we check that the threads will stand out well against the pink fabric.

A background that’s too dark could “swallow up” the soft thread shades.

We need delicacy, yes — but also contrast.

Once the palette is confirmed, Véronique returns home and begins painting with watercolor.

She sends me her sketches.We talk it through, explore, and adjust.

When we’re both happy with the result, she starts charting her design using cross-stitch software.

Again, she sends me her charts — and we discuss them: the handle of a teacup, the petal of a flower… Each detail is reviewed with care and adjusted whenever necessary.

And finally — the finished piece!! 

Now, it’s time to embroider!

At this stage, some changes may still happen.

As we say in French: “faire et défaire, c’est toujours travailler” — sometimes we undo and adjust — because taking the time to get it right is part of the process.

But it’s a work we all love passionately.

Then comes the photography stage.

Choosing the right setting, the perfect light, and the ideal objects.

Valériane has a great eye. She captures enough detail to highlight the stitches while preserving a soft, poetic mood. Because the images of Les Brodeuses Parisiennes also have their own style.

The rest, you already know: our creation is on its way to meet you.

And now it’s your turn to join the story — with your needle, your threads, your talent.

You become our guest, at this pink, flowery, joyful table.

The « Rose-Thé » tea towel