Michelle Galletta launched Kiriki Press with one goal in mind: teach others the benefits of DIY. With a love of embroidery, Galletta’s embroidery kits make the perfect gift. The gift of making and creating, that is.
“I guess the main intention was to give other people the opportunity to make something really special with their own hands,” she further relayed in an interview with Meet the Makers. “I love the whole ‘do it yourself’ thing, so much of what we have is digital and automated so it’s really nice to be able to take a step back, relax with something and have your own time to put a project together.”
Launched in December 2012 with seven patterns, the Kiriki Press collection has grown over the years and is currently expanding to include a range of other DIY products. “I just wanted to come up with bright, little, not too intimidating designs so that people could approach it slowly and get into embroidery,” says Galletta. “I’m hoping to get people in my generation into embroidery.”
Her kits are screen printed by hand and assembled in Toronto at Noble Crafthouse. According to Galletta, the kits are essentially embroidery samplers, so you learn stitches as you go. Which means that your work doesn’t need to be perfect, but you’ll get lots of practice along the way.
In fact, it’s their handmade quality that makes her work all the more endearing. Take a look for yourself:
