Meet an Artist: A Stitch of Simplicity

by Sarah · Published July 5, 2025 · Updated July 16, 2025

A Stitch of Simplicity: Soumya’s Story of Slow Craft and Everyday Beauty

In this month’s feature, we bring you a heartwarming conversation with Soumya—an unexpected maker who swapped spreadsheets for stitches. Based in Bangalore, Soumya runs a small, thoughtful business crafting everyday products that are both functional and quietly poetic. She calls it A Bee in the Garden. What sets her work apart is the gentle touch of hand embroidery that finds its way into some of her most cherished pieces—needle books, sewing machine covers, and festive linens. With roots in a childhood surrounded by sewing and a deep appreciation for sustainability and simplicity, Soumya’s story is one of embracing slow, intentional making. Her products don’t just serve a purpose—they carry a soul. Read on for a peek into her journey, her design philosophy, and why even a single running stitch can be transformative.

Catching Soumya as she attempts hand embroidery on one of her products

Tell me about yourself (personal)

I am Soumya. I live in Bangalore with my husband and our two children. I have always been a student of science, and a decade ago, if anyone told me I would be in a creative profession, let alone running a creative business, I would really think that’s the craziest joke. Having said that, during my corporate stint, I used to browse through numerous sewing, embroidery, and DIY blogs and imagine a slower life, pretty much the one I am living now.

How did you get into hand sewing?

Sewing as a skill was a part of my childhood. I grew up in a home where sewing and mending were very normal. My mom used to sew plenty of clothes for us kids. I remember a rag doll my sister made me as a birthday gift and many a doll’s dresses she would make… I think my own first-hand sewing project was a canvas messenger bag on which I did a simple hand embroidery using running stitches and wooden beads. In short when it was a very natural thing to pick up that needle n thread though I was just playing around with the simplest of ideas.

Do you use hand embroidery in your products? How much of it do you use and at what instances?

I do use hand embroidery on some select products we make. Though I started out with products with a good amount of hand sewing, somewhere down the line, sewing became my core craft, and hand embroidery took a back seat. It is also a craft form that requires a lot more slowing down in the making process compared to sewing. Currently, I use hand embroidery on select products like my needle books and sewing machine covers, and our Christmas linen– but I do dream of having an entire collection of embroidered versions of a lot more of our products.

A vanity pouch and an eyeglass cover adorned with simple hand embroidery

How does hand embroidery elevate your products?

Hand embroidery makes anything more desirable and valuable, if you ask me. I think a hand-embroidered product, be it anything, instantly makes for a really special gift. It also adds so much value to the product because hand-embroidered products always find great buyers … a person who picks something with handwork on it is sure to value the work that’s gone into it– that’s not always the case with regular products.

Do you go by any philosophy while making your products? Does hand embroidery play a role in that thought?

The simple philosophy I try and stick to, is to strike a good balance between the useability as well as look n feel of a product… starting from grade of fabric picked to the number of washes a product should last – plus the price it can fetch in the market, there are many considerations that goes into the making of a product. On an everyday-use product that’s made to endure many wash cycles, I would rarely use hand embroidery. At the same time, I love to add hand-sewn details on things made for gentler use, and it is more personal for the user – like a needle book would be a hand embroidery artist’s best friend for life, and I think a little embroidery on it goes a long way in inspiring the artist.

What are your best hand-embroidered articles?

That would be needle books – it’s made for needleworkers, so that makes it all the more special too.

A Needle Book stitched by Soumya

Do you think one needs to know a lot about hand embroidery to be a stitcher?

Not at all, a simple running stitch can let you create so much. Look at our kantha embroidery, and also Sarah, your own 3SAT concept is something I have tried with my kids and loved… so a little knowledge can let you do so much. You can play around with colours, patterns, etc, even when you know just one stitch or two.

Do you have any final thoughts?

It’s really an honour to be on your blog, Sarah. I hope someone reading this finds it helpful. I have been following your blog for many years and have loved everything you share. I hope your work reaches many more people and you help create more love and awareness for hand embroidery in the coming years.

Visit her website: A Bee In The Garden

Soumya’s journey with A Bee in the Garden is a testament to the quiet power of choosing a slower, more meaningful way of creating. Through her stitches—some bold, some barely there—she invites us to pause, appreciate, and find beauty in the everyday. Her story reminds us that you don’t need to master every stitch to make something beautiful; all you need is intention, care, and the willingness to begin. We hope her thoughtful work and words inspire you to pick up your needle, embrace the simple, and let hand embroidery add a little soul to your craft.

You don’t need to know many stitches to start hand embroidery. As Soumya of A Bee in the Garden shared, even a simple running stitch can do wonders. This video shows you 12 basic stitches—just enough to get you started with confidence.
12 easy stitches to begin your hand embroidery journey

Click and know which switches they are—no experience needed, just your needle, thread, and a little curiosity! And don’t forget to check out the video!

xoxo

Sarah