A Stitch in Time…
Pretty, useful and not a screen to be seen: meet the stitch journal!
Every so often something really cute and clever floats onto our radar and, naturally we want to tell you all about it. For anyone who’s just endured the school holidays and wished they’d had something creative in their armour for their kids (or themselves!) to get stuck into, this one’s for you.
Spotted at the recent Native Makers market (THE place to discover some brilliant local makers), these stitch journals not only look lovely, they’re a great way to coax kids (well, any of us really) off screens and to try something new…without the overwhelm.
Chatting to the brains behind these beauties, Faith Jenkins from Arty and Odd, the idea behind these fabric journals is for budding crafters to be able to have a go at stitching little designs as and when inspiration hits. Made from assorted pretty vintage and upcycled fabrics (Japanese Kimono silk for example), the textile pages inside are a blank canvas simply requiring a needle and thread.
Faith started making these journals at the end of last year, when she realised that while there were lots of beautiful journals for writing into, there didn’t seem to be an equivalent for anyone who enjoyed slow stitch/fabric collage or embroidery. Because they’re small, they take away the daunted feeling that can come with starting a big craft project and encourage the stitcher’s version of ‘scribbling notes’ – a keepsake of ideas.
The journals come in compact sizes, for sneaking into your bag and stealing away for a quiet half an hour of crafting; bigger hard-backed ones allow for larger, more bulky creations. And while some have just fabric pages, others also include paper pages for more variety.
We love them, not just because they’re gorgeous to look at – but because they tap into a more mindful, slower pace and can be used by all ages. All big ticks, as far as we’re concerned!
You can get your hands on a journal by following Faith on Instagram, or visit her Etsy Shop (link below).
