Mindset Around Intuitive Stitching
How to change your mindset for intuitive creativity. Listen to your artistic leanings and take charge of your art practice. Recycle your fabric scraps into a highly textured, intuitive stitched art piece.
I had a couple of things running through my head that were determining factors in how I wanted my creative time to feel and look.
Let’s jump right into it.
TINY scraps
After doing some improv patchwork quilting for another project I had a bunch of minuscule fabric scraps. I am someone who likes to use up every little bit of fabric and supplies that I have, so this usually pains me to throw out. But, I also tell myself on some of those smaller things, that if I don’t have an intended use or idea in mind that I need to toss them out. My studio can get too cluttered and this really inhibits my creativity in the long run. But, nonetheless, I always find this pile so beautiful and intriguing.
hand stitching
My hands were begging me to slow stitch. Sometimes my heart and mind try to tell me so clearly what kind of creativity that I need for that time. Oftentimes as a creative that has a business to keep in mind, those signs are ignored for what needs to get done in order to keep things running smoothly. In order to learn to trust our artistic instincts - we have to LISTEN. When our heart and soul need something - usually it has a way of letting us know. We may be used to shoving those feelings down. But, we have to nurture those instincts and creativity in order for them to grow.
my other projects felt … {intimidating, boring, too organized, stuffy, uninspired}
The hand stitching projects that I would typically turn to in a time like this felt like all of these emotions pushed together. I know that logically this isn’t really the case. I love all the things I’m working on - but my head was telling me I needed something different. In addition, I didn’t want to work on anything large or cumbersome.
intuitive stitching practice
I wanted to exercise my mind in the practice of intuitive stitching. I wanted messy. I wanted free. I wanted chaos. I wanted innovation. I wanted my mind to think less while stitching and let my hands feel out where the stitches should go.
low stakes
I was in the need for a low stakes project. Something that I was okay with “messing up” and possibly even trashing or converting into something else if it didn’t work out. A no pressure experience. I truly had zero expectations of the final outcome. And even though I strive for that in a lot of my work, I can be a bit of a perfectionist so I want things to come out right. (and preferably on the first try!)
PLAY
Finally, and most importantly, I just wanted to play. I wanted to have fun and return to the joy that I find hidden in {the texture, color, experience of} textiles and stitching.
I have a couple of ideas what I’m going to do with this highly textured, intuitive stitched piece - but that wasn’t in my mind when I began. Yes, oftentimes I do have a functional purpose or use in mind before I create something new. But that was not my goal here. I believe that is part of the secret to how much I love this piece and feel so connected to it.
How did I make this piece?
1 - base fabric
I started out with a scrap piece of medium weight painter’s cloth canvas. Any scrap will work. I wanted something with a little bit of substance, but still easy enough to stitch through.
2 - threads
I collected the threads that I wanted to use. I kept the color scheme monochromatic, including neutrals.
3 - TINY fabric scraps
I’m talking really small. You could use whatever you have on hand, but for me the joy was using up something that would have normally been thrown out. Also, none of the scraps were uniform in shape or size. The more wonky the better.
4 - start stitching
With no plan of attack - place a fabric bit on the base layer and put a stitch through it. To really build up that texture and intrigue make sure to layer your bits at random angles and stitches. Don’t think too much about the color of your thread or fabrics. Close your eyes and blindly pick from your pile. By doing this you will achieve a totally random yet organic product. Continue adding fabric bits and stitches until you’re satisfied!
How will I use this piece?
First off, I think it’s okay if not everything has a totally practical and functional use. Sometimes we need to create simply for the joy of creating.
With that said, I did think of a few ideas as I was stitching away.
A smaller finished piece would look really neat on an art journal page.
Used on a piece of clothing as a patch. I’m thinking a funky jacket or handbag.
As a closure for a journal.
What do you think of this process? What would you use this stitched up textured piece for? Let me know in the comments!