I was thrilled to return to Jenni Kayne at Suburban Square in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, for a festive afternoon of live chainstitch embroidery. And as a bonus, I got to share my exciting news that I was expecting with my client. It is so wonderful to continue these relationships and see each other's milestones over time.
For this holiday retail activation, Jenni Kayne treated customers to complimentary custom embroidery with purchase, giving shoppers the opportunity to add a personal touch to some of the brand's beautiful, timeless pieces.
And as if that wasn't enough, there was a special sweater sale AND a holiday gift tree where customers could receive an additional gift with purchase.
Custom Embroidery, the Jenni Kayne Way
One of my favorite parts of working with retail brands is creating an embroidery experience that feels uniquely theirs.
Before the event, the Jenni Kayne team reached out with specific requests for embroidery designs and thread colors. I hand-drew the designs and worked with the store to get everything approved before the big day.
I also had a lot of fun creating a whimsical embroidery menu backdrop inspired by Jenni Kayne's color palette. The finished design served double duty as both the in-store embroidery menu and promotional artwork for my social media.
I love when I get to collaborate with a brand on these kinds of creative details! It's an opportunity to make the activation feel like a natural extension of their aesthetic rather than a one-size-fits-all experience.
A Little Something Extra for Holiday Shoppers
Throughout the day, customers had the opportunity to personalize their purchases with live chainstitch embroidery.
Jenni Kayne's cozy cashmere socks and classic cardigans made particularly lovely canvases for customization. There's something so special about taking a beautifully made wardrobe staple and adding a small embroidered detail that makes it entirely your own.
And during the holidays, personalization makes a gift feel that much more thoughtful!
Why Live Embroidery Is a Perfect Fit for Retail Events
Live chainstitch embroidery is such a fun way for retailers to offer customers something they can't get from an ordinary shopping trip.
Whether it's a holiday gift-with-purchase promotion, a store opening, a VIP shopping event, or a product launch, on-site embroidery gives shoppers a reason to engage with the brand in a new way. For brands with a strong visual identity, like Jenni Kayne, it's important that the experience feels thoughtful and cohesive.
When I partner with a retailer, I can help develop custom embroidery menus, create brand-specific artwork, select thread colors, and think through which products will work best for live customization.
My background in project management also means I genuinely enjoy working through the behind-the-scenes details that help an event run smoothly. The goal is always to create an experience that's exciting for customers, easy for store teams to accommodate, and true to the brand hosting it.
A Festive Finale to the Embroidery Season
As if spending the day surrounded by beautiful cashmere and happy holiday shoppers wasn't festive enough, Suburban Square was really leaning into the holiday spirit!
There were carolers, Santa, and holiday-themed street performers throughout the shopping center. The whole place felt like a little holiday wonderland, and it made for such a fun atmosphere to spend the day stitching.
I couldn't think of a better way to finish out my 2025 event season!
A huge thank you to Jenni Kayne for inviting me back and trusting me to bring their holiday embroidery experience to life. I always appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with brands that value thoughtful details and beautiful design.
Bring Live Chainstitch Embroidery to Your Next Retail Activation!
Planning a holiday shopping event, store opening, VIP experience, or in-store brand activation?
Live chainstitch embroidery is a wonderful way to give customers a personalized experience while creating something they'll treasure long after the event.
I'm based in Philadelphia and available for retail activations, corporate events, and brand experiences both locally and beyond. From custom embroidery menus and artwork development to event logistics and additional embroidery artists for larger activations, I'd love to help bring your vision to life.
Let's plan your next live embroidery event!
