What’s it all about?

This workshop is where we step into slow allowing you to slow down and take pleasure in simple stitches and simple processes.

The workshop mixes the principals of eco craft with the ancient tradition of slow stitching to create a beautiful Boro inspired Christmas decoration. See how to slow down and experience more joy in your craft by using simple stitches based on traditional practice, reusing and reinventing materials. Enjoy the sense of achievement that comes with producing your own unique and beautiful Christmas decoration. It’s a great way to use up smaller scraps of fabric and make an original piece for yourself or as a gift.

What will we cover?

This workshop will draw inspiration from Japanese Boro stitching as you take a mixture of scrap, repurposed, recycled, inherited and/or vintage textiles to create the background for your artwork.

You will learn simple stitch techniques for connecting pieces to a base cloth using the colours and patterns of the cloth and choice of thread to create your own individual decoration. Come, pick up a needle and thread and lose yourself in this meditative process where simplicity is key.

Slow stitching centres around the “make do and mend” and “waste not, want not” ethos of yesteryear. It is a nod to the generations that came before ours in which reusing and recycling were necessary and admirable. This is not a complicated process which relies on numerous, perfectly executed stitches and neatness, but rather, it's about embracing the timeworn nature of our materials, and the individuality of our stitching methods.

There is no right or wrong way to approach your Slow Stitch project. Relax and unwind whilst experiencing the joy and gratification of being immersed in mindful creativity, hand stitching a personalised work of art. Gain the well-being benefits of mindful creating and crafting.

This class is suitable for both beginners and more experienced sewers. After some needle and thread basics, you will learn to use simple stitches to create.

You will need:

Aprox. 14cm x 24cm backing fabric – this could be calico, cotton or linen (old sheets, shirts, etc)
Quilting, repurposed, recycled, inherited, and/or vintage fabric scraps you may have – cotton, linen and/or silk work well.
Thread to coordinate with your fabric choices – perle #8 or #12 cotton, crochet #10 cotton work well but you can use any thread you have on hand.
Waste fabric for stuffing – sheet offcuts, sewing offcuts etc.
A pen or dark pencil
A circular template approx. 10cm diameter – lid of a jar or similar.
Ruler
Personal sewing kit (scissors, pins and needles)

Who will be teaching?

Tamara Russell is a Textile Artist and passionate advocate of sustainable living based in Melbourne. She specialises in free machine embroidery, hand stitching and mending. She has been making her clothes and mending since a teenager. Loving to personalise her wardrobe with visible mending, embroidery and embellishment. Tamara enjoys teaching various forms of mending and embroidery. She also happily accepts commissions to mend your old favourites. Visit karhina.com or follow her on Instagram @karhina_textileart and @tamararussellart

For more information on lowering your waste check out the Zero Waste Victoria website

This event is proudly funded by Yarra Ranges Council Grants for Community program