Artsy Crafty Library: Unwind with slow stitching

When life gets a little stressful, it’s nice to have a creative way to slow down and relax. Practicing slow stitching allows you to focus solely on making something with your hands and to block out the background noise that can seem overwhelming at times. 

What is slow stitching?

Slow stitching is hand stitching, which can include embroidery, cross-stitch, hand sewing and quilting. The final product is not what matters, it’s the process you use to get there. Slow stitching is an opportunity to embrace your creativity and  focus on the project in your hands, rather than thinking about the laundry that needs to be done, the dishes that need to be washed or the news.  

Supplies needed

Fabric: Slow stitching is a good way to use up fabric scraps or repurpose something you already have. A button-up shirt with a stain on it can be cut into smaller pieces. A cotton kitchen towel with a hole in it is perfect for transforming into something new. 

Needle and thread: If you don’t already have a needle and thread, you can usually find a simple sewing kit at a dollar store. You can always start with that, then upgrade your supplies later if you decide slow stitching is something you like to do. 

Scissors: There's no need to buy special scissors. You can use any scissors that are sharp enough to cut fabric and thread.

You don't need much time to do something creative

Sometimes it can be hard to carve out time in your busy daily routine, but even 15 minutes a couple of times a week can get you started. Taking a slow stitching break during a stressful workday is a great way to calm your breathing and clear your mind.

This is the ultimate pick it up, put it down, portable kind of craft. All you need is a place to sit and enough light to see what you’re working on, whether that’s in a park or in the break room at work. 

I have the supplies, now what do I make?

You don’t need a grand plan. Start stitching simple shapes like a series of parallel lines, squares or circles with a variety of different colors of thread. You can also sew small pieces of fabric together like a collage or a simple quilt.

How even and consistent your stitches are doesn’t really matter either. It’s the repetitive nature of the stitching and the meditative quality of the needle going through the fabric that brings that feeling of zen.  

Whether you want to try embroidery or some other type of stitching, the library has plenty of resources to get you started. Creativebug offers hundreds of how-to craft classes all for free with your library card. Check out the book list below for more ideas. 

Happy stitching!