Brooklyn embroiderer turns knicks championship gear into street art
The roar of New York City still echoes after the New York Knicks’ improbable victory over the San Antonio Spurs, but amidst the celebratory chaos, a quiet artist was quietly stitching history into existence. Ramell-Coreen ‘Cheeks’ Frederick, a Brooklyn native and textile specialist, transformed spontaneous street parties into a vibrant tapestry of championship pride.
A stitch in time: cheeks’s unofficial celebration
Forget official merchandise – Cheeks, armed with a century-old Singer embroidery machine and an uncanny ability to capture the spirit of the moment, became the unlikely purveyor of bespoke Knicks memorabilia. He set up shop outside the Habana Outpost restaurant in Fort Greene, accepting everything from simple “2026 Champs” requests to the cheeky slogan “Send the Spurs to the Knick-U,” all for a modest $20.
Social media exploded with images and videos of Cheeks’s work, as New Yorkers, discarding hats, jackets, even jerseys, eagerly entrusted their possessions to his skilled hands. ‘I just want to go where the people are,’ he told Vogue, describing his ‘going rogue’ strategy – a deliberate choice to engage directly with the energy of the city’s celebrations.
Cheeks’s operation, aptly named ‘Tattoo’d Cloth,’ isn't about profit; it’s about community. His process – a meticulous, almost meditative blend of hand-drawn designs, analog stitching, and a surprising dedication to preserving vintage machinery – elevates a simple act of personalization into a miniature work of art. He currently operates with three vintage machines: Jessica, Bertha, and Story – each with its own unique history and personality.
From sewing class to street style icon
Cheeks’s journey to becoming a street-corner embroidery artist is surprisingly unconventional. He began with a single sewing class, a desperate attempt to conquer his fear of a sewing machine after growing up witnessing his grandmother’s seamstress skills. “I found embroidery in 2007 and once I found it, I was able to really just go with it,” he explained. His path shifted after an expulsion from an art high school, leading him to embrace self-taught skills, honed through internships and a deep appreciation for garment construction.
Last night’s Game 5 was a testament to his dedication. He worked from 7:00 PM until 1:30 AM, producing over 15 custom Knicks pieces, many of which were immediately snapped up by enthusiastic fans. ‘It’s literally half a mile walk for me, if that,’ he said, emphasizing his commitment to being present at the heart of the action. His back protested, but the energy of the crowd fueled his creativity.
Despite the frenzied atmosphere, Cheeks remained remarkably grounded. ‘Fandemonium’ was the only accurate description, he admitted, recalling the unforgettable scenes unfolding on the streets of Brooklyn. He prioritized offering his services to those who already owned items to be embellished, stating,