Feel the benefits of sewing by hand for your wellbeing and for the
planet with these mindful and sustainable makes.
Hand sewing is a great way to practice mindfulness through craft. Laura
Strutt has designed these 35 projects specially to develop your
hand-sewing skills, but also to help you slow down, enjoy the moment,
and appreciate the rewards of your work. Using a number of different
techniques including visible mending, sashiko, embroidery, thread
doodling, boro, and abstract embroidery, Laura shows you how to
incorporate these methods into making something useful, creative, and
sustainable. For the home, you can make a boro bowl from scraps of
fabric, or adorn a simple cushion cover with an embroidered mandala.
From your closet, revive a beanie hat by adding some floral embroidery
to the rim, or use sashiko stitching on fabric-covered buttons for a new
look. Decorate your home with a floating embroidery design in a hoop, or
a simple banner using colourful couching stitches over twisted rope.
Think of the planet as you upcycle a blouse with detail stitching and
new sleeve trim, or make elbow patches to cover the holes in your
favorite sweater. Whichever project you choose, take time to enjoy the
process and simply sew.
