What is Slow Stitching?

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not creative,” or “I’m no good at sewing,” you’re exactly the kind of person my workshops are designed for.

Slow stitching isn’t about creating perfect embroidery or learning complicated techniques. It’s about slowing down, enjoying the process and discovering how cloth and thread can help us tell stories, share memories and connect with one another.

Guided by the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi, slow stitching celebrates the beauty of imperfection. There is no right or wrong way to stitch, no expectation of neatness and no pressure to “get it right.” Instead, participants are encouraged to experiment, play and create something that feels meaningful to them.

I often work with reclaimed, cherished or everyday textiles because cloth already carries stories. A favourite shirt, a well-worn tea towel, an old tablecloth or a treasured piece of fabric can all become the starting point for a conversation, a memory or a story waiting to be shared.

The stitches themselves are wonderfully simple. Running stitch is often all you need, making slow stitching accessible to almost everyone. No previous sewing experience is required—just curiosity, a willingness to have a go and an openness to enjoy the process.

For me, textiles are a way of listening. As our hands become busy with cloth and thread, conversations begin to flow. People remember places they had forgotten, share family stories and discover unexpected connections with one another. Stitch gives us permission to slow down, reflect and simply be present.

Above all, slow stitching is about people.

It’s about creating welcoming spaces where everyone feels able to contribute, regardless of experience or confidence.

Because it’s never about perfect stitches. It’s always about connection, not perfection.