Welcome!

About Nancy

My mother’s early lessons about sewing taught me to be creative with texture, color and design.  This creativity extended beyond my sewing skills and into my career as a mathematics teacher.  Although the classroom was not about thread and fabric, Mom’s influence helped me connect with students in a variety of ways.  Once retired, I returned to fabric art with a zest for learning new techniques in stitchery.  My business began as “fun and functional embroidery” transitioning to “free-motion” designs. Today I am fully immersed into thread painting my favorite photos.

Many years of travel serve as inspiration for my fiber arts.  I look forward to connecting with fellow art enthusiasts, through my interpretation of nature.   

About Thread Painting

Thread painting, or free-motion machine embroidery, is a unique way of “painting” the images on canvas or anywhere your imagination takes you.  My thread paintings begin with a personal photo, printed onto fabric and prepared for “free-motion” stitching.  Beautiful threads and other mediums are used to enhance the photo turning it into gorgeous designs that emphasizes unique attributes. Each piece is a one-of-a-kind.   

Artist Proofs

Each canvas print captures the texture of stitches, revealing details of the original artwork.  The elements are entirely realistic and represent aspects of what the design would look like in nature. Five prints are signed and numbered as an “artist proof”.   

Fun and Functional

In addition to thread paintings, Designs by Nancy Leigh fashions a collection of fun and functional boutique items. Notebooks & journals are fun for young and old. Whether learning the art of writing or taking notes on the run, these unique notebooks will make you smile. All wallets & clutch purses are lined with RFID fabric to protect credit cards from thieves trying to capture credit information via scanners.

Please contact Nancy with questions or special orders at:
Email: designsbynancyleigh@gmail.com
Phone: 513-379-2747