Knicks champion: brooklyn artist turns street celebrations into embroidered keepsakes
A New York Knicks championship victory sparked a spontaneous celebration unlike any other, and at its heart was Ramell-Coreen Frederick, a Brooklyn artist transforming impromptu gatherings into wearable works of art.
A stitch in time: how a brooklyn embroiderer captured the knicks' historic win
Forget store-bought memorabilia. Amidst the chaotic joy erupting in Fort Greene after the Knicks’ stunning 53-year championship win, Cheeks, as he’s known, was busy. Operating a vintage embroidery machine – a 104-year-old Singer 114w103 affectionately nicknamed ‘Jessica’ – he was fulfilling requests from jubilant fans, turning hats, jackets, and jerseys into personalized tributes.
From simple “2026 Champs” slogans to a wickedly clever “Send the Spurs to the Knick-U,” Cheeks’ rates started at a modest $20. Social media quickly exploded with images and videos of his handiwork, capturing the raw energy of the moment and the uniquely Brooklyn spirit of the celebration.
The rogue artist’s process
“I want to go wherever the people are,” Cheeks explained to Vogue, describing his unconventional approach. “It’s about community work, it’s care work, all at once.” He sets up a small, portable table – complete with a custom power setup – and relies on the enthusiasm of passersby to fuel his creativity.
“People give me something they’re wearing, or I might have something on me that they want to get embroidered,” he said. “I don’t want you to have to buy something; I want you to take what you have and give it new life.” He emphasizes the artistry of the process, highlighting that each piece is truly one-of-a-kind.
A legacy of stitching
Cheeks’ journey to becoming a celebrated embroiderer is surprisingly organic. He began with a sewing class in Brooklyn, initially driven by a fear of the machine. He then apprenticed under his grandmother, a skilled seamstress, learning the fundamentals of garment construction through hands-on experience. He later pursued a formal education at an art high school, but found the structured environment stifling, eventually choosing a path of ‘going rogue’ – relying on his own instincts and talent.
“My LinkedIn profile says one thing, but I’m 100% self-taught,” he admitted. “I found embroidery in 2007, and once I found it, I just went with it.” His company, Tattoo’d Cloth, operates primarily through direct messages, email, or simply by finding him on the streets.
Beyond the championship
While the Knicks victory provided a surge of commissions, Cheeks’ ambitions extend beyond celebratory gear. “My wall pieces, my big-scale stuff, is what I really strive to make,” he says. He aims to elevate embroidery beyond a mere craft, recognizing its potential as a powerful form of artistic expression. Last night, amidst the ‘fandemonium,’ Cheeks created 15 Knicks-themed pieces, a testament to the infectious joy of the moment. He worked from 7:00 p.m. until 1:30 a.m., noting that his fingers were the only part that ached – a small price to pay for capturing the spirit of New York’s greatest victory.