Brooklyn embroiderer turns nyc street festivities into one-of-a-kind art
A quiet corner in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, became a vibrant hub of custom art this weekend, thanks to Ramell-Coreen Frederick – known as ‘Cheeks’ – and his extraordinary embroidery skills. As the New York Knicks clinched their first NBA championship in 53 years, Cheeks transformed discarded jackets, jerseys, and even hats into personalized tributes, capturing the electric energy of the city’s celebration.
From vintage machine to street style icon
Operating from a humble 3x2 table equipped with a century-old Singer embroidery machine, Cheeks spent the night fulfilling requests ranging from simple “2026 Champs” slogans to elaborate, humorous jabs at the San Antonio Spurs – all for a starting fee of just $20. Social media exploded with images of his unique creations, fueled by New Yorkers eager to immortalize the victory.
A labor of love, rooted in brooklyn
Cheeks, a Queens native who’s called Brooklyn home since 2008, wasn’t formally trained as a designer. He learned the craft through self-study and a single sewing class, inspired by his grandmother’s legacy as a seamstress. “I found embroidery in 2007 and once I found it, I was able to really just go with it,” he explained. His company, Tattoo’d Cloth, operates on a simple model: “DM, email, or honestly, just finding me in the streets.”
More than just stitching
But Cheeks’s work transcends mere customization. He describes it as “artwork, it is community work, it is care work, all at once.” His meticulous process, utilizing a 104-year-old hand-crank machine named Jessica, is a deliberate, analog experience – from initial design to painstaking stitching. “The process is very therapeutic,” he noted. “It can take anywhere from 60 seconds to write a name to my longest piece being 48 hours.”
A night of ‘fandemonium’
Last night’s scene outside the Habana Outpost was nothing short of ‘fandemonium,’ according to Cheeks. He’d initially planned to set up for the Liberty game, but decided to capitalize on the palpable excitement surrounding the Knicks’ victory. “I wanted to do it for a few different games, but I was busy working on other projects. But last night I didn’t have anything planned—plus, after seeing the excitement of what was happening in front of Habana for Games 3 and 4, I was like, yeah, Game 5, it’s time to be outside.” He left around 1:30 AM, his back aching from a long night of creation.
A testament to local artistry
Cheeks’s operation is a powerful reminder of the unexpected artistry flourishing within Brooklyn’s neighborhoods – a testament to the ability to find beauty and connection amidst the chaos of a major sporting event. He’s not chasing fame or fortune; he’s simply offering a tangible way for New Yorkers to celebrate their team’s historic triumph, one meticulously embroidered stitch at a time.