This past month I taught a four-week workshop on embroidery. The goal was to introduce beginners to embroidery, teaching the basics of how to get started, learn a few new stitches each week and encourage each person during their learning journey. In the final class this week we talked about design - choosing colours and stitches - and each person got started on their own design. Watching the students trying out embroidery, some for the first time, I was struck by a few things: First, how much even a beginner can get done and learn in just a few hours - I really do think that embroidery is not hard, and anyone can learn; Second, how far a little bit of coaching and encouragement goes in building confidence to try a new skill.
When selling my embroidery kits in person, I hear a lot of comments from people who think they can’t do it. Being able to sit with someone for a few hours, show them how to begin and give them tips as they run into new techniques, I was amazed at how much everyone stitched in the time we had, and also at how well they could control their stitch length and the smoothness of their lines. I also could remind them that learning something new does take time, and that each stitch they make is practice to get to the stage where they feel confident that they can create anything they want with needle and thread.
In the summer we spent three weeks in Canada. It felt so good to be surrounded by family who fed and loved us and to have space to roam and just be with nature all around. I spent a few early morning hours on the dock looking out over the lake and stitching. I had taken a few different embroidery projects along, mostly new patterns I wanted to give myself the time to explore different ideas. I also made a small thread painting of the view from our house. There is something wonderful about looking out over the most beautiful view and translating it into thread.