Bay Area Filipino -American artist Amanda Farrell is a modern hand embroidery artist whose simple, clean lines create expressive works that capture the heart. She attempts to connect with tradition in a contemporary, minimalist fashion, and often with a cheeky sense of humor!

Amanda believes quality textiles and skilled sewing can last a lifetime, a value that she gained from her grandfather, the same person who first taught her to sew and gave her the nickname “Amanda Panda.” He would mend and alter the clothing for the entire family, and in particular, he liked to cut his sweaters into short-sleeves and carefully hem them – because he never wanted to be too warm or too cold. Amanda used to steal these short-sleeved sweat-shirts from his room whenever possible, and when she moved away from home, he gave her his favorite one. Now that he’s passed, she wears it whenever she “needs a hug from him.”

“I love creating fun, thoughtful, embroidered projects that will mean something years from now. I’ve personalized baby onesies, baptism gowns, wedding handkerchiefs, pet portraits – you name it! I also try to source my materials in as ethical a way as possible. I use vintage and thrifted items when possible, shirts and onesies from brands known for their transparent factories and organic processes, and I source fabric from recyclers keeping fabric out of landfills. I believe we should try to leave the world a better place than we found it, and with as many hugs as possible.”

Her work has been featured in blogs like Kollective Hustle and Martha Stewart Weddings, and she has participated in numerous maker fairs around the country. Her most recent exhibition at 3 Bottled Fish featured her recent works, including memorial pieces that celebrate lost loved ones. Her Filipino roots are a mainstay in her  work. She incorporates hand-woven fabric from the Easter Weaving Room in Baguio, an organization of Indigenous women who make the traditional Cordillera fabric that is worn in the Philippines. Amanda currently lives in the East Bay and teaches embroidery classes at Love Fest Fibers (San Francisco), Mystic (Mill Valley), and Fiber Circle Studio (Petaluma).