Slow Stitch: Mindful and Contemplative Textile Art

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The best part about slow stitching? You don’t necessarily need any expensive tools to get started. Some fabric scraps, a needle, and thread is all that’s really necessary – although there’s plenty of beautiful trims & embellishments that can be used to finish off a piece. The Benefits of Slow Stitching Of course not! You can still use your sewing machine. The important thing is to practice gratitude and set that intention and focus on the creative process more than the final result. I have had a lot of fun “slow stitching” on my Vintage 1947 Singer Sewing machine! Am I Never Allowed to Buy Anything Again? Sashiko also refers to a form of decorative reinforcement stitching from Japan that started out of practical need during the Edo era but is now an art form in itself. You also don’thaveto make anything from it – no rules again – but if you want to, you can – whatever you fancy doing. It is almost like giving yourself permission to relax and let your creativity come through, with no comparison to anyone or anything else. Most of the time I just hum right along, being happy to just be in the moment without worrying or stressing about stuff going on in my life. And when I am stressed, needlework can definitely reduce that amount of stress, it’s a lot like mark making with fabric!

I use what is called a running stitch, also known as a straight stitch. It’s the most basic of all stitches, but of course you can use other stitches if you want to try some more advanced embroidery techniques. Of course, this process of sewing everything on by hand is slow…but this is a great time as a creator to remember you enjoy the act of creating – certainly we wouldn’t spend all the time we do on projects if we didn’t! Step 4: Finish and Enjoy!

A movement that celebrates artisanal production values and a slower process of embroidery

I’ve even been able to do a couple of slow stitching projects in bed. I set up a couple of bins, one with fabric and one with sewing supplies like needles and thread – and I can stitch away happily and easily clean up when I’m done. As the interest in slow stitching has grown, so have the number of books on the subject. If you want to find out more about the joys of slow stitching, the following books come highly recommended. Claire Wellesley-Smith: Slow Stitch: Mindful and Contemplative Textile Art

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.

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My adventures in sewing other projects have not been so enjoyable. I’ve tried quilting several times over the past years. Cutting exact measurements, precision and those darn scant 1/4″ seams are all things you’ll never have to worry about again when you embrace slow stitching, which is why I think I like it so much! What actually is Slow Stitching? It is simply taking a piece of fabric, needle and thread and using simple stitch marks upon the textile. Going with the flow of your fabric, your mind, your thought process. There is no set pattern to follow, no embroidery lines to mark up. Instead you learn to listen to your innate sense of creativity and allow your hands to flow across the fabric. WHY SLOW STITCHING? I personally like to use upcycled fabrics from thrifted finds because not only are they are much more affordable that way, but also because it helps reduce landfill waste. If the lighting is good, if you're comfortably set up, and if there are no distractions around, you'll find it easier to get into a meditative state of mind. Consider lighting some candles, playing some relaxing music, or even burning some essential oils.

If you count yourself among the last group, you're not alone. As more and more of us realize the benefits of creating for creating's sake, mindful stitching is becoming ever more popular. Claire Wellesley-Smith’s beautiful book "Slow Stitch: Mindful and Contemplative Textile Art" is a great introduction to the art of slow stitching. The book is gorgeously illustrated with projects that Claire, a textile artist working in Yorkshire, England, has made with her own fair hands. It's a great guide that lets you connect with a new way of working using simple techniques based on age-old practices. Lynn Krawczyk: The Hand-Stitched Surface: Slow Stitching and Mixed-Media Techniques for Fabric and Paper

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Mindful stitching isn't about being perfect. If you haven't got meditation down to a fine art, it doesn't matter. Neither does it matter if your stitching isn't the best. In the Indian subcontinent ‘Kantha’ stitching (essentially a running stitch) is used for example to decoratively stitch layers of old saris together. Slow Stitching is an emerging technique which is influenced by an era when we wish to recycle/upcycle old fabrics and learn how to enjoy theprocessas much, if not more than, the outcome. Truly all you need is some fabric, threads and needles. Set aside some time. I like to boil the kettle and make a pot of tea. Settle somewhere lovely, comfy. You might have children or family beside you. You might be on your own somewhere. Slow stitching is the process of pulling a threaded needle through fabric.... and then repeating the process. It's meditative, creative, and most of all, unique. Anyone can slow stitch. It's a welcoming process that uses fabrics, lace, yarns, scraps of textiles, old clothing, even paper and sometimes, vinyl and plastic. By creating pieces that you adhere to a base piece of fabric, you create something unexpected, beautiful, and give new life to (sometimes, old and unwanted) materials. Here are the top questions that I get asked from people who are interested in creating their own pieces.

Here are some of the many benefits of why slow stitching is good for you: No Fancy Supplies Required: The next step is to become aware of your surroundings and make sure it’s a fun environment to work in. Do you have enough lighting? Do you feel comfortable where you’re set up? Another thing you can do is get intentional about something you’ve been thinking about lately. For example, I’ve been thinking about opening up my own shop to sell journals and inspiration kits for slow stitching. What better way to stay focused on that than while actually stitching? Feel free to pour yourself a cup of tea, light some candles or diffuse your favorite essential oils to set the space for mindful stitching. You don’t have to have the perfect setup or even a studio – the important thing is you are comfortable and can be intentional in the stitching process. Recently I’ve fallen in love with a new creative practice called slow stitching, and it fits so well with journal making I decided to start a whole new category here on Artjournalist just for textile arts.The key point is that there are no right or wrong answers – it is simply what you want it to be. Your stitching does not have to be perfect or follow a pattern – again it is what you want it to be.