The rise of Artificial Intelligence in art, and just how close we are to a robot creating a masterpiece is a serious issue in the world of art. However, for a mostly hands-on crafted hobby like cross stitch, robots aren’t often spoken about. However, there is one robot, in particular, that is making waves in cross stitch…
How close are we to a robot cross stitch artist?
Really close. Really really really close.
Sewing machines have been around a long time, and the fact that they can complete a whole slew of stitches makes the art of patch embroidery possible, such as the awesome work of NAME.
However, in the last 5 years, sewing machines have been able to cross stitch too.
Last week we looked at the iconic IKEA cross stitch mail out. The point of the marketing campaign was to appear handmade, however, they produced 40,000 of the letters, on machines. It kind of missed the point in my eye, however, it just goes to show, that cross stitch isn’t just a handmade craft anymore.
The one good side? The cost. These machines are at the lowest $1000 and you just don’t see that many around. Thankfully, for now, at least, cross stitch will remain wholly in the handmade.
And for any of those who want to know if it’s handmade or not, the machines can’t stitch on aida properly, so they normally stitch on linen.
Interested in more companion pieces? Check out my blog on the time cross stitch almost made it to space or why glow-in-the-dark thread is green.
Goodness but your blog is interesting!!!! I originally found you when I was looking for a DMC shade card, and now your results keep popping up in searches, I find myself following links and learning all sorts of interesting things. Thank you very much!
For me the point of devoting time to cross stitch is that doing so gives me pleasure, and I enjoy following your blog and the blogs of other stitchers for the pleasure in stitching and appreciation of design that you express. It doesn’t matter to me that a machine might be able to do similar work. I knit too, after all.
Very interesting. I have often thought about this as people (not very nice ones!) sometimes ask me what’s the point of devoting so much time to cross stitch when “anybody could do it given enough time”, suggesting there’s no talent behind it. I think that, surely, there must be special value even in that time.
Sadly, we’ve all been there before…