Who is Helen Stubbings?
I, Helen Stubbings, am just a normal country girl who grew up‘making’... I am the designer behind the brand which has grown simply from a pure love of stitching. With no formal art education, no university degree but a drive and passion that has brought me to here.
Hugs ‘n Kisses was born out of a life in Defence - yes I was first a full time professional musician in the Australian Army - with many hours wasted on buses travelling to parades and gigs - my solution? - take up cross-stitch, then embroidery, then sewing, then patchwork and anything else I could get my hands on.
I soon also became an army wife - moving around the country with no family support, a husband away a lot and two small children. Stitching (my general term for all things patchwork, quilting, sewing, embroidery etc ) was my savior - a way to meet other like minded supportive people, a way to pass the days home with children, a way to achieve something for me.
Since officially forming in 2001 we have now grown to a worldwide business, I travel across the world teaching, we sell our patterns, books and products worldwide and I am lucky to meet like minded passionate stitchers in every country.
I now publish books both myself and with Landauer Publishing; Design fabric for Red Rooster Fabrics;I’ve helped design threads for Cottage Garden hand dyed threads and Lecien Cosmo Seasons ranges;I teach for Craftsy and at many shows, stores and guilds around the world. I’m also a ‘Friend of BERNINA’ -machines which I’ve sewn on for over 20 years.I consider myself to be so lucky to be doing something I love.
In 2016 we have seen huge expansion - finally getting my house back- and moving to a new location,opening a retail shopfront, cafe and learning centre in Hobart, Tasmania and more exciting things in the future.
