Uncategorized - Slow Stitch School

Category: Uncategorized

wooden tea tray with pretty pink and blue vintage cup and saucer and teapot, with three biscuits.

December 19, 2024BY PaulaSSS

Escaping the Festivities – A Gentle Guide for a Quiet Christmas

Escaping the Festivities - A Gentle Guide for a Quiet Christmas

This is your invitation...

…to step away and embrace a quiet Christmas, filled with moments of calm and gentle reflection.

For some, Christmas feels like an unwelcome guest. The endless noise, the bright lights, and the pressure to celebrate can leave many feeling overwhelmed by Christmas. If you are grieving, burned out, or simply cannot muster the enthusiasm for tinsel and carols this year, you are not alone.

The festive season has a way of forcing expectations upon us, as if joy can be bought or grief must be put on hold. But there is more to life than this commercial whirlwind. There is peace to be found, even in the midst of December’s chaos, and it may not look like the traditional Christmas everyone else is celebrating.

Permission to Step Back

It is okay to bow out of Christmas this year. You do not need to explain, justify, or feel guilty. If you are grieving at Christmas or feeling overwhelmed by the constant demand to join the festivities, know that quietness is a valid choice. Creating a space of calm can help you heal, reflect, or simply find a little peace in the midst of it all.

Finding Solace in Slow Stitching

If you are searching for a gentle escape or a way to focus your mind, slow stitching offers an antidote to Christmas stress. This mindful practice is quiet, meditative, and perfect for anyone who needs to take a step back. It asks nothing of you except a few moments of your time and a willingness to let your hands guide you.

Join the Stain and Stitch Scroll Challenge

If you are new to slow stitching, the Stain and Stitch Scroll Challenge is a lovely place to start. This simple and accessible project is designed for anyone, even those feeling emotionally drained. You probably already have everything you need: a piece of fabric, such as an old pillowcase, some threads, a needle – and a cup of black tea. Yes, seriously!

You might be wondering, What is slow stitching? It is a mindful approach to hand sewing that focuses on relaxation and creativity rather than speed and perfection – if you can hold a needle, then you can ‘slow stitch.’

Start by staining a long, thin piece of fabric with tea or coffee to create soft, natural tones. Then add little scraps of fabric that you have knotted or wrapped with string before tea dyeing them (there are lots of ideas and step-by-step guides in the FREE tutorial). From there, stitch freely into your scroll, incorporating your little scraps as you go and letting patterns and textures emerge at their own pace. You can even stitch some words onto your scroll too. This soothing, repetitive process can feel like a quiet meditation, gently bringing moments of calm into your day.

By layering small, stained fabric scraps onto the cloth, experimenting with tea’s delicate tones, and stitching them into place, you create a piece filled with texture and meaning.

This project is perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed by Christmas and looking for a creative outlet that fosters stillness and simplicity. A step-by-step guide is included to make it easy to get started, and the results are as beautiful as the process is calming.

Embrace a Quiet Christmas

Christmas does not have to look the way others expect. It can be a quiet Christmas spent walking in nature, watching birds in the garden, or curling up with a comforting book. It might mean stepping away from the festive noise altogether and embracing a gentler approach that allows you to simply be.

Life is found in the small, meaningful moments: the sound of thread slipping through fabric, the weight of a needle in your hand, and the peace that comes from letting go of expectations.

The most important gift is kindness – especially to yourself, so this year, choose what feels right for you – whether it is stitching slowly, enjoying a gentle walk in nature, or simply finding space to grieve.

Take it one stitch, one breath, and one quiet moment at a time. Who knows? Slow Stitching might just become your favourite new hobby in 2025 – a creative, calming practice to carry you gently into the new year and beyond…

In conclusion:

Embrace a Quiet Christmas: It is okay to step back from traditional celebrations and create a peaceful season that honours your needs.
Find Calm in Slow Stitching: Discover the meditative power of hand stitching as a gentle way to reflect, relax, and express yourself.
Join the Stain and Stitch Scroll Challenge: Start a simple, creative project with materials you already have and enjoy the calm it brings.
Step Away from Expectations: Let go of the pressures to conform to festive traditions and find joy in small, meaningful moments.
Prioritise Self-Kindness: Whether you are grieving, overwhelmed, or seeking peace, the most important gift is kindness to yourself.
Discover a New Hobby for 2025: Slow Stitching could become your go-to creative outlet, carrying calm and inspiration into the new year.

Helpful links:

Learn more about the Slow Stitch School: Click Here
Start your journey with the Stain and Stitch Scroll Challenge: Click Here
Explore the magic of Slow Stitched Books: Click Here
Follow us on Instagram for creative inspiration: Click Here

A rolled up emaki scroll depicting the transition from winter to spring, delicately stitched into peach-colored chiffon layered over white silk and set onto a white linen page. The design captures the essence of seasonal change with soft textures, intricate details, and a serene color palette. The scroll is tied with a ribbon fastening and can be unrolled to reveal its graceful composition.

Uncategorized

November 28, 2024BY PaulaSSS

Threads of Inspiration – Exploring Japanese Aesthetics and Textiles

Threads of Inspiration - Exploring Japanese Aesthetics and Textile Techniques

There is something magical about holding a piece of fabric in your hands – running your fingers over the threads, feeling its history, and imagining its possibilities. In Japan, this magic is elevated through an incredible fusion of aesthetics and textile techniques. From the quiet beauty of wabi-sabi to the rhythmic meditations of sashiko, Japanese traditions offer a profound way to connect creativity with mindfulness.

As someone who has long been inspired by the timeless elegance of Japanese design, I’ve found myself drawn to these practices, not just for their visual beauty but for the feelings they evoke. They are a reminder to slow down, to appreciate imperfection, and to find beauty in the smallest details.

The Wisdom of Japanese Aesthetics

Japanese aesthetics have a way of capturing emotions and moments that often slip by unnoticed. They are not just concepts; they are ways of seeing and feeling the world.

Fuubutsushi refers to the sights, sounds, scents, and feelings that evoke memories or anticipation of a season. In stitching, this might mean colours and textures that reflect a particular time of year – soft greens for spring, golden tones for autumn, or crisp whites for winter.
Komorebi evokes the dappled sunlight filtering through trees, a fleeting moment of light and shadow that can inspire layered fabrics and textured stitches.
Hinode (sunrise) and nichibotsu (sunset) remind us of the beauty in transitions, the quiet beginning and end of each day.

When we bring these ideas into stitching, we create fabric that is imbued with deeper emotions, transforming it into something truly meaningful.

The Art of Japanese Textiles

Japanese textile traditions perfectly embody these aesthetics, offering techniques that are both practical and poetic:

Shibori, the ancient art of dyeing, creates organic, unpredictable patterns by folding, binding, or twisting fabric before dyeing – a bit like letting the fabric decide its own story.
Emaki, or Japanese picture scrolls, inspire a narrative approach to stitching, weaving together imagery, emotion, and thought in flowing, horizontal formats.
Sashiko, with its rhythmic, meditative stitches, adds harmony and order to fabric, creating patterns that are both functional and decorative.

These techniques feel timeless yet modern, offering endless opportunities for exploration.

Finding Stillness Through Slow Stitching

In a world filled with constant noise and motion, there is something profoundly grounding about the act of hand stitching. It forces you to slow down, to focus on the feel of the needle passing through fabric, the sound of thread pulling taut.

Slow stitching is a way to reconnect – with yourself, with your materials, and with the stories they carry. Japanese aesthetics and techniques, such as shibori, boro, and sashiko, offer more than just beautiful creations; they provide a way of being.

As Donald Richie reflects in A Tractate on Japanese Aesthetics,

“Japanese traditions often focus more on the process than the product, emphasizing the construction of the self through mindful practice” (Stone Bridge Press, 2007).

This philosophy aligns perfectly with slow stitching. By immersing ourselves in these techniques, we nurture a sense of calm, connection, and appreciation for the present moment. The beauty lies not just in the finished piece but in the journey of stitching and the stories it reveals.

Turning Textiles Into Treasures

For several years, I have been experimenting with ways to bring these techniques together, not just as individual pieces but as part of something larger. One result is hand-stitched books – binding fabrics into pages that tell a story, each one unique.

The process feels like a metaphor for life: stitching together fragments, embracing imperfection, and finding beauty in the layers.

If this journey through Japanese aesthetics and textile techniques resonates with you, I invite you to join my Japanese Inspired Slow Stitch Workshop. It is not only about learning techniques; it is also about slowing down, connecting with your creativity, and creating something truly meaningful. My approach to teaching encourages you to develop your own unique style of working.

For more inspiration, resources, and exclusive content, you can also join me on Patreon. It is a wonderful way to support my work and gain deeper insights into slow stitching and creative practices.

Together, we will explore twelve techniques, including shibori, boro, zanshi, and sashiko, while drawing inspiration from aesthetic concepts like fuubutsushi, komorebi, and hinode. We will create fabric pages and bind them into a hand-stitched book, complete with a komebukuro (a Japanese rice bag) to hold it – a project that is as practical as it is poetic.

Whether you are an experienced stitcher or a curious beginner, this workshop offers a space to explore, create, and connect. It is a chance to immerse yourself in the quiet beauty of Japanese traditions while creating something uniquely your own.

Finding Beauty in the Journey

At its heart, slow stitching – and this workshop – is about finding beauty in the process. It is about letting go of perfection, embracing transitions, and creating something deeply personal. As you stitch, you will find yourself slowing down, noticing small details, and connecting with the quiet joy of making.

In the end, you will walk away with more than just a book and a komebukuro—you will have a piece of yourself stitched into every thread.

In conclusion:

Japanese aesthetics such as fuubutsushi, komorebi, and hinode invite us to connect with the beauty of nature and the transitions of time.
Techniques such as shibori, emaki, and sashiko offer creative ways to express these ideas through fabric and stitching.
Slow stitching is a mindful practice that nurtures calm, creativity, and self-connection.
The beauty of slow stitching lies not just in the finished piece, but in the journey and stories woven into every thread.

For more about the philosophy behind slow stitching, explore my previous blog: The Beauty of Imperfection – Wabi-sabi Meets Slow Stitching.

I would love to hear how Japanese aesthetics inspire your creative journey. Join me on Patreon for more exclusive insights, resources, and inspiration.

Thank you for joining me on this creative journey. Your support means the world to me and fuels my passion for sharing these beautiful traditions.

Creative Inspiration: An AI image of a colossal container ship resembling a floating, vertical city. The ship is densely packed with structures that look like small rooms and urban buildings, featuring windows, balconies, and architectural details that evoke fragments of human life. Smaller boats surround the ship, emphasising its monumental scale. The scene has a surreal, serene atmosphere, blending industrial and urban landscapes.

Uncategorized

November 5, 2024BY PaulaSSS

Creative Inspiration – Finding Beauty in Unlikely Places

Creative Inspiration - Finding Beauty in Unlikely Places

The other day, I came across an AI created image that became an unexpected source of creative inspiration. It was a massive container ship – a symbol of global consumerism, carrying goods across oceans, often contributing to pollution and overconsumption.

Yet, as I looked closer, I noticed something surprising. This steel giant was not just a cold vessel; it was composed of hundreds of tiny scenes—houses, shops, street views, fragments of everyday human life, coming together to form an impressive structure.

It made me think about how inspiration can often be found in the most unlikely places. Even something that represents troubling issues like pollution or overconsumption can reveal creativity and connection if we look closely. This container ship became more than a symbol of excess; it became a reflection of human life, layered and interconnected.

As I continued to study the image, the ship took on the appearance of a floating city, each ‘unit’ resembling a small room, building, or street scene, complete with windows, balconies, and details that hinted at lives within.

This “floating city” became a metaphor for how creative inspiration often lies hidden in layers, waiting to be uncovered. Just as each fragment contributed to the larger structure of the ship, each small piece of creativity, like a stitch in slow stitching, contributes to something larger and meaningful.

Finding Beauty in Small Things

In a world that often feels rushed, creative inspiration reminds us to slow down and notice the details. We do not need to seek grand moments; instead, we can find inspiration in the everyday. Every stitch or scrap of fabric has its own story, and when we slow down, we listen to those stories, appreciating the quiet beauty in each small act of creation.

Much like the tiny images that formed the ship, each stitch in slow stitching adds meaning and depth. Slow stitching teaches us to embrace imperfections and to find beauty in the small, overlooked moments – it reminds us that life is made up of these precious details.

The Power of Slowing Down

Creative inspiration is more than a spark; it is a way of seeing the world. In our fast-paced, consumer-driven lives, it encourages us to step back, to observe, and to reconnect with the beauty around us.

Like slow stitching, it invites us to move with intention rather than speed, appreciating the world in both its grand and minute forms.

Slow stitching, much like this image of the container ship, reminds us to see the layers beneath the surface. It is about slowing down, taking time, and finding beauty that might otherwise be missed.

“Nobody sees a flower, really, it is so small. We haven’t time, and to see takes time…”
(Georgia O’Keeffe)

Creativity and Connection

Creative inspiration is not just a solitary journey; it connects us to each other. Each small act of creation weaves into an expansive landscape of shared experiences – all part of the ‘bigger picture’. As we create we connect with a tradition of creativity that values mindfulness and detail.

Just like the container ship made of countless small images, each creative act adds to a story that goes beyond our-selves. With each stitch we really are stitching the world together, finding beauty in unlikely places and building a sense of community.

Key Takeaways

To find creative inspiration, consider:

Looking Closer: Beauty often lies in small, unexpected details if we take time to observe.
Slowing Down: Moving at a slower pace reveals creative potential in everyday life.
Embracing Imperfections: Creativity thrives in the imperfect, adding character and depth.
Building Connections: Creativity connects us to a larger community of shared stories.
Finding Meaning: Each act of creation contributes to a bigger picture, where each moment holds value.

And that, my dear readers, is what happens when you find the time to slow down and look closely…

O’Keeffe, Georgia. An American Place (cited in Georgia O’Keeffe: The Poetry of Things). 15th Nov. 2018 Read more here.

And that, my dear readers, is what happens when you find the time to slow down and look closely.

Thank you for reading this article – in the Slow Stitch School you will find lots of slow tutorials and workshops to encourage you to do just that.

Photograph of Ellen in Switzerland visiting her son, gently cradling a baby goat. She is wearing a black cashmere cardigan and a stylish black beret, creating a cozy and heartwarming scene.

Uncategorized

October 29, 2024BY PaulaSSS

How a Serendipitous Encounter Sparked a Textile Art Movement

Back in September 2010, I was at the opening night of a new art exhibition, showcasing my latest work, “Iktomi,” a collaboration with fellow artist, Carol. Amidst the lively atmosphere, I struck up a conversation with a lady I had not met before. She excitedly mentioned she had recently seen another exhibition featuring my work, “The Seamstress,” and was thrilled to realize both pieces were mine. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I felt an immediate connection with her.

As we continued chatting, we discovered that our paths had actually crossed before – Ellen had completed her BA while I was finishing my MA. Our textile art styles were remarkably similar, which sparked an instant sense of kinship. Just then, my daughter Fiona joined us, and I introduced my new acquaintance, saying, “Meet my new best friend, Ellen.” That moment marked the beginning of a special friendship.

Ellen and I bonded quickly over our shared love for textile art. We spent countless hours together, discussing our creative processes, dreams, and aspirations. Whether bouncing ideas off each other or quietly stitching side by side, our friendship grew, enriched by our mutual respect and inspiration. For nine wonderful years, we supported and encouraged each other, and it felt as though our bond would last forever.

Photograph of Ellen in Switzerland visiting her son, gently cradling a baby goat. She is wearing a black cashmere cardigan and a stylish black beret, creating a cozy and heartwarming scene.

Sadly, Ellen’s life was cut short. I was by her side, holding her hand as she passed away in the local hospice. In those final moments, I made a promise to honour her legacy by bringing women together to sit quietly and stitch intuitively, just as we had done so often. It was a promise from the heart, knowing how deeply this shared activity had brought us peace.

That promise has blossomed into something truly beautiful. Today, six years later, our Facebook group, “Slow Stitched Books – Ellen’s Legacy,” has grown into a vibrant community of over 10,000 women from every corner of the world. It has become a sanctuary for women to connect, share, and create together. The support and inspiration within this community are nothing short of extraordinary, and it has become the foundation of my own business, Slow Stitch School.

Through workshops, tutorials, gatherings and retreats, I continue to spread the joy and peace of slow stitching that Ellen cherished so deeply. Each stitch is a tribute to her, a reminder of the power of connection, creativity, friendship, and belonging.

Thank you, Ellen, for your lasting inspiration and support. Your spirit lives on in every piece we create, and your legacy continues to inspire and unite women around the world.

Five of Ellen's little Slow Stitch Books resting neatly on her windowsill, exactly as she had left them, each adorned with delicate layers of antique laces.

Above: Five of Ellen’s little Slow Stitch Books resting neatly on her windowsill, exactly as she had left them.

Finding Peace and Connection Through Slow Stitching

In today’s fast-paced world, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and disconnected. The constant hustle often leaves us feeling stressed, isolated, and creatively blocked. Are you longing for a way to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and find a supportive community?

This is where Slow Stitch School comes in. Born out of that promise to my dear friend Ellen, Slow Stitch School is a haven for anyone seeking a break from the chaos. It is a place where we can gather, sit quietly, and stitch intuitively, finding peace, connection, and a deeper appreciation for textile art in the process.

Here is how Slow Stitch School can help you:

Reclaim Your Time: Dedicate moments each day to slow stitching, creating a peaceful routine that helps you unwind and recharge while immersing yourself in the joy of textile art.
Boost Your Creativity: Explore new techniques and materials in our workshops, reigniting your creative spark and inspiring new textile art projects.
Develop Your Unique Style: Learn how to express your individuality through stitching. Our teaching methods will guide you to discover and refine your own voice in textile art.
Build Meaningful Connections: Join our supportive community of like-minded women. Share your experiences, learn from each other, and forge lasting friendships rooted in a shared love for textile art.
Find Inner Peace: Embrace the meditative nature of slow stitching. Let each stitch bring you closer to a state of calm, mindfulness, and creativity through textile art.

At Slow Stitch School, we are more than just a group of creators. We are a community built on love, support, and the shared joy of textile art, inspiration, and creation. Whether you are a seasoned stitcher or a complete beginner, you will find a welcoming space to grow, connect, and thrive.

Join us today and discover the transformative power of slow stitching and textile art. Together, we can create beautiful pieces and lasting memories whilst ‘stitching the world together’.

If Ellen’s story has touched you, or if you are looking for a peaceful space to reconnect with your creativity, I invite you to join us at Slow Stitch School. Whether you are a seasoned stitcher or a complete beginner, our workshops offer a gentle, welcoming space where you can grow, connect, and thrive.

Explore our workshops, read more about Slow Stitch School, and become part of a global community that finds joy in every stitch.

Stay Connected and Explore More:

Join Our Facebook Community: Be part of the vibrant group “Slow Stitched Books – Ellen’s Legacy”, where over 10,000 women connect, share, and inspire each other.
Explore Our Workshops: Discover the joy of slow stitching through our workshops and tutorials, designed for all skill levels.
Learn More About Slow Stitch School: Visit Slow Stitch School to find out how you can reclaim your time, boost your creativity, and connect with a supportive community.
Support Us on Patreon: Help grow the movement by joining me on Patreon. Gain access to exclusive content, behind-the-scenes updates, and special perks while supporting the growth of this community.

Uncategorized

September 1, 2024BY PAULA

The Beauty of Imperfection – Wabi-sabi Meets Slow Stitching

Wabi-sabi is a beautiful Japanese aesthetic, that encompasses an emotional feeling. Once we understand the ethos of wabi-sabi we can consider how it can both inspire our slow stitching and our thinking.

Wabi-sabi evokes a sense of tranquility, contentment, humility, and mindfulness within us – the same can be said of slow stitching.

In an online article by Leonard Koren, author of the book Wabi-Sabi: for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers, he discusses the essence of wabi-sabi:

I broke wabi-sabi down into roughly two components, which I would characterize now as “form” and “spirit.”
By “form” I mean the material manifestations; how things wabi-sabi look, feel, sound, etc.
By “spirit” I mean the philosophical basis; the underlying ideas that arguably give rise to wabi-sabi’s form. (Koren, 2013).

Wabi-sabi finds beauty in nature and decay, and has commonly become thought of as ‘the art of finding and embracing imperfection’. It is modest and humble, simple, slow – and so innocently beautiful.

However, Wabi-sabi is so much more than this, it is the feeling, the very essence of raw natural beauty.

As Japanologist and author Beth Kempton eloquently summarizes,

“The powerful secret of wabi sabi lies in seeing the world not with the logical mind, but through the feeling heart” (Kempton, 2019).

We live in a busy, over-stimulated world where we are constantly bombarded with technology, consumerism, and greed. Wabi-sabi encourages a slower, gentler pace of life. It takes us back to our roots, urging us to be kind to ourselves and to appreciate the simple things in life.

To discover the magic that happens when wabi-sabi meets slow stitching let us look at the similarities:

Slow stitching is a mindful approach to hand sewing that emphasises relaxation and creativity over speed and perfection.
Wabi-sabi is the gentle, inner peace that arises when you are surrounded by calm, natural environments.

Both concepts highlight the importance of finding tranquillity and mindfulness in our activities and surroundings, whilst encouraging a deep appreciation for the present moment, simplicity, and the innocent beauty in imperfection – finding wonder in the little details.

In one of the chapters in my ‘Japanese Inspired’ slow stitch course, we combine wabi-sabi and the traditional Japanese textile technique ‘boro’. By blending these two elements together, we create a thought-provoking slow stitch page for a custom bound book.

Boro is the traditional way Japanese peasants patched, mended and stitched worn clothing, to keep it usable through many generations. Thousands of tiny running stitches, called sashiko, hold all the layers together – a beautiful effect in itself.

Other ways you can embrace the wabi-sabi ethos into your life:

Going for a gentle walk: nature, in all its raiment’s – be it lush green forests, barren savannahs, wild coastlines, serene lakes, a meadow bursting with wildflowers, or a secluded coastline, embodies the essence of wabi-sabi, and will help you reconnect with nature, a huge part of the Japanese way of life.

We can also embrace the essence of wabi-sabi in our home: this is something I am personally working on.

Adopting a limited colour scheme of neutrals and white.
Maintaining an uncluttered environment (that isn’t overly minimalist).
Incorporating natural elements such as wood, clay, stone, and glass.
Include a lot of plants and other natural elements such as twigs, fir cones, and stones.
Creating intriguing displays in unusual locations.
And remember that first impressions count – so make your front garden and porch / entrance hall beautiful
Leave shoes at the door – I have a basket of freshly washed, hand made slippers my guests can wear if they would like to.

In conclusion:

Blending wabi-sabi with slow stitching inspires the beauty and simplicity in imperfection.
Wabi-sabi, hard to define but deeply felt, cherishes natural beauty and the peace found in embracing imperfection.
By slowing down and immersing ourselves in nature, we reconnect with this ethos.
Embracing wabi-sabi is about finding beauty in the imperfect and living simply.
Through the practice of slow stitching, we invite this quiet gentleness into our everyday lives.
Inviting wabi-sabi into our homes creates tranquil spaces with natural elements, and encourages a more gentle way of living.

And that, my dear readers, is the magic that happens when wabi-sabi meets slow stitching.

Thank you for reading this article – this is the first chapter in a four-part blog looking at how we can use Japanese aesthetics in our creative inspiration.

If you would like to know when the other blogs are posted please leave your details here and I promise you will be the first to know.

Koren, Leonard. “The Beauty of Wabi Sabi.” DailyGood, 23 Apr. 2013, https://www.dailygood.org/story/418/the-beauty-of-wabi-sabi-leonard-koren/
Koren, Leonard. Wabi-Sabi: for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers. Imperfect Publishing, 1994.
Kempton, Beth. (2019). Wabi Sabi. Retrieved from Beth Kempton’s website.

In the Slow Stitch School there is a fourteen module course called: ‘Japanese Inspired Slow Stitched Book’. We look at twelve different blends of Japanese aesthetics (including wabi-sabi) and Japanese inspired techniques – plus binding and creating a special komebukuro bag to keep your book in.