About

Chainsmoke embroidery began in 2019 as a way for artist Emily Simpson to reconnect with the tactile world. Made on vintage cast iron machines, each piece Emily creates is stitched slowly by hand crank, imparting years of machine mechanics and textile know-how.

Emily’s background is in literature, a variety of visual and fabric arts, and producing photo and video content for brands. After receiving an MFA in fiction writing and running Strand bookstore’s events program for two years, she went on to collaborate on a Brooklyn-based zine while working for an agency that creates content for streaming services and fashion houses. After a trip to Texas in 2018, Emily was inspired to learn about embroidery on western-style suits and shirting. From there, she taught herself machine mechanics on the Singer 114K103 model antique machine, falling in love with the meditative process of fills and the satisfaction that comes from bringing a creative vision to tactile, utilitarian fruition.

Emily’s additional inspiration and interests include: soccer culture (particularly vintage football kits and related fashion), modern literary fiction, 1950s-1980s western fashion, tattoo history, Buddhist tradition, and keeping a well-knolled home.