Slow Stitch: Mindful and Contemplative Textile Art

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I suggest that you continue this first piece with simple running stitch, before adding in other stitches. This means that you’ll learn the quietness of the doing, rather than worrying about how to do other stitches. I know that once you start on this piece you’ll be looking for all the fabrics and threads to use.

Your creation can be kept on you all the time as it is very portable and taken out to use when otherwise you might have turned to electronic devices which can make you anxious – so slow sew on the train, the plane, at the doctors, whenever and wherever you want.The focus of mindful stitching is on the intention and the joy of creating. What the final product looks like isn't relevant. If it's got raw edges, so be it. If a few of the stitches are wonky, it doesn't matter. While the commercialism of the crafting industry can get tiresome, you are still allowed to buy stuff for your projects. The main thing is you USE those supplies more than you just buy and collect them! It is essentially a new form of mindfulness through sewingand, especially in these difficult times promotes wellbeing and calm You can buy beautiful luxury fabrics if you have the means to do – the important thing is you reflect a little bit on the source of that fabric. Sometimes cheap is not always good for the environment or maybe a company doesn’t align with the same values as you do. Maybe you don’t have a supply stash from decades and in that case it certainly justifies buying new fabrics. For a basic project, gather some foundation fabric {cotton muslin or quilt batting works great for this!} and some favorite fabrics from your scrap pile. You only need little bits, so don’t worry if your pieces are small.

Slow stitch isn’t a specific technique; it’s an invitation to embroider with a deep appreciation of what happens while you do so. ‘Slow’ refers to much more than the time it takes to do things. Rather than seeking a specific result, it’s about being more conscious and mindful of our creative process and the simple pleasure of the path.

One of the beauties about slow stitching is that it doesn't come with an instruction manual. Slow stitching isn't about following a set of rules and regulations. It's about tapping into your creative instinct and going with the flow. Slow stitching is an organic process. There are no hard and fast rules about what you need or what you should do. However, if you're drawing a complete blank about how to start, here are a few pointers. Step 1: Gather Your Materials