In our fast-moving world, there is a growing movement for a return to the slow and deliberate. This ethos has permeated many aspects of our lives, from slow food to textile art. One such is the “slow stitch” practice, a meditative and mindful approach to needlework that values and embraces the beauty of imperfection, recycling, upcycling and repurposing at its heart.
Mindfulness, Sustainability, and Imperfection.
Slow stitch, which has its roots in traditional hand-sewing techniques, has become a form of artistic expression and a means of reconnecting with the tangible world in an increasingly digital age.
At its core, slow stitch embodies the principles of honouring the materials they work with, utilizing natural fabrics, vintage, rescued, and repurposed, and imbuing their creations with a sense of free expression.
Two Examples of Slow Stitch Kits
Why Slow Stitch?
Slow stitch offers a counterbalance to the fast-paced, mass-produced throwaway world—an opportunity to slow down, enjoy the process, and create something unique with our hands. A profound sense of satisfaction comes from rhythmic stitching, creating an individual free-form piece of art from vintage or repurposed fabric patches, stitches, and threads.
How to Practice:
The beauty of slow stitch lies in its simplicity and accessibility to anyone. Unlike more formalized forms of embroidery or sewing, it is inherently forgiving and open to interpretation. There are no rules or patterns to follow—go with the flow of the needle and thread.
To begin practising slow stitching, you need only basic sewing supplies: fabric, thread, needles, and scissors. Start by selecting pieces of fabric that speak to you—colour, texture, age. Arrange the smaller pieces on a larger foundation piece. Then, experiment freely, stitching intuitively.
Some standard techniques include running stitch, backstitch, and French knots but don’t feel constrained by convention. Embrace imperfection, experiment, and let your intuition be your guide. You can add all sorts of things, like beads, buttons, lace, and things you find. Remember, there are no rules.
Work in Progress, one of mine
As you can see, I still have a lot of stitching to do on this particular piece.
After finishing all the stitching, I will add buttons and beads.
This slow stitch technique can be used to mend and patch any rip, hole, or stain. Cover the damaged area with several small patches and slow stitch over them, maybe adding some lace or embroidery anglais. It all depends on the effect you want to create.
Benefits Beyond the Finished Product:
While the tangible results are undoubtedly beautiful, the actual value lies in the process itself. Stitching can be a form of therapy, providing a space for reflection, relaxation, and self-expression. It’s a chance to quiet the mind, cultivate mindfulness, find joy in the present moment and upcycle.
Want to know more? YouTube is an excellent free resource with many slow-stitch projects to get you started.
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“Sustainability is not an end goal, it’s a journey.” – Eileen Fisher
Eileen Fisher is a sustainability pioneer and the co-founder of Eileen Fisher.
