Famous Needlepointers Who Actually Stitched (Yes, With Receipts)
Needlepoint isn’t just having a moment — it’s having a legacy.
Before it became the chic, slow-luxury hobby filling quiet-luxury Pinterest boards and tucked inside the totes of women who romanticize their morning matcha, needlepoint lived in palaces, on Broadway stages, in Hollywood dressing rooms, and yes — even in the White House.
These icons didn’t just pose with pretty canvases.
They stitched them.
So if you've ever curled up with a project bag, tiny scissors, and a glass of something sparkling… you're in excellent company.
Mary Martin: Broadway Legend & Needlepoint Muse
Tony-winning star Mary Martin — yes, Peter Pan — was a devoted needlepointer. She loved it so much she published Mary Martin’s Needlepoint in 1969 and stitched everywhere: backstage, at home, and between shows.
Why she’s iconic:
Mary made needlepoint glamorous and a little bit theatrical and proof that stitching and stardom pair beautifully.
If you’ve ever whispered “just one more row…” before bed, you are spiritually connected.
Rosey Grier: NFL Superstar & Needlepoint Trailblazer
Football legend Rosey Grier turned the craft world on its head when he published Needlepoint for Men in 1973. He stitched publicly, unapologetically, and with so much style.
Why he’s iconic:
Grier made needlepoint bold and barrier-breaking and showing the world creativity has no gender.
We love a man who can tackle a quarterback and a tent stitch.
Barbara Bush: First Lady & Lifelong Stitcher
Barbara Bush wasn’t casually crafting, she was a stitcher. Pillows, stockings, home décor, thoughtful gifts… and yes, even a masterpiece rug.
She famously created a 10-by-14-foot needlepoint rug over the span of nine years — a true labor of love. Filled with family initials, meaningful dates, and nature motifs, it was a personal heirloom she proudly moved from home to home and even displaying it at a needlework show.
In the White House, she continued stitching and even incorporated needlepoint into holiday décor. When the First Lady makes needlepoint cool again? We take notes.
Why she’s iconic:
Barbara stitched for legacy. Her work was meant to be lived with, loved, and passed down, the original grandmillennial queen.
Barbara walked so we could petit-point.
Mary, Queen of Scots: Royal Maker in Captivity
During her imprisonment, Mary, Queen of Scots stitched alongside Bess of Hardwick the works now known as the Oxburgh Hangings. These embroideries survive centuries later as symbols of resilience and creativity under pressure.
Why she’s iconic:
Mary used needlework as power, presence, and survival, a reminder that stitching can be strong and deeply human.
Needlepoint as self-preservation? We feel that.
Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco: Hollywood Grace, Royal Stitching
Grace Kelly didn’t just define elegance she stitched it. Known to needlepoint in public and credited with inspiring a needlepoint club in Monaco, she helped elevate the craft's image internationally. There’s even a national award named in her honor.
Why she’s iconic:
Grace stitched with poise, glamour, and quiet creativity. Her needlepoint era? Forever a mood. Plus, she stitched with her dog, so iconic.
Think Main Line meets palace sitting room.
Parker Posey: White Lotus Star & Modern Needlepoint Girl
Actress Parker Posey has talked openly about her love for needlepoint — offering tips, celebrating the craft, and stitching long before it trended on Instagram.
Why she’s iconic:
Parker gives needlepoint downtown-cool energy — stylish, witty, a little artsy, and totally original.
She’s “stitching on a velvet sofa with jazz playing” personified. And we’d love to think she stitched on the White Lotus set in Thailand!
What These Stitchers Share
Different decades, different circles — same thread running through:
✨ They stitched to think
✨ They stitched to unwind
✨ They stitched to create beauty
✨ They stitched for legacy, not speed
Needlepoint isn’t loud or hurried.
It’s intentional. Grounding.
A beautiful act of making something meant to last.
When you pick up your canvas, you're not just stitching.
You're joining them.
Stitch Like the Icons
Needlepoint has always belonged to people with taste — to those who know that “slow” is a luxury and making something by hand is a quiet kind of glamour.
So go ahead:
✨ Gather your canvas
✨ Thread your needle
✨ Breathe
✨ And stitch yourself into history
Quiet elegance, one stitch at a time.
Ready for Your Own Heirloom Moment?
Our Georgie & Lottie canvases are designed for modern-classic stitchers who love timeless motifs with a subtle wink. Think:
Hand-painted heirloom designs
Clean, elevated palettes
Charming motifs + monograms
Unapologetically classic taste
Because you don’t just stitch —
you stitch like an icon, Queen. 🧵👑