Lately I’ve been taking some time for reflection, so I thought it would be fun to look back at how I got into embroidery. I’ve been stitching so long that sometimes it feels like something I’ve always done. However there obviously must have been a starting point… Since I enjoy hearing about other people’s journey into stitching, I thought it was time to share mine!
First stitching steps
The first piece of embroidery I stitched was most likely this comb holder.
I’d guess I was around 5 or 6 when I stitched this. It’s regular knitting wool on a large scale aida fabric. A practical take on a stitch sampler really.
I remember also making a purse type project in a similar style, although sadly I couldn’t find that to take a photo of.
Having the clearly defined holes in the fabric made it easy for me to be consistent with the size of my stitches. They also mean you can use a blunt needle – not a bad consideration for a young child!
Along a similar theme, I made a series of bookmarks using canvas and regular knitting wools. The wools were most likely remnants given to me by my Mum or Grandma.
It looks like I had fun playing with different stitches, colours and designs.
By this point I think I already had a curiosity for geometric patterns after seeing mosaics at a Roman villa. So the grid like canvas fabric was perfect for this.
Around this time I also stitched a more classic stitch sampler on aida fabric. Again, I’m afraid I didn’t find it to photograph. But I remember it being a bright and modern design that I think was targeted at kids.
Expanding my designs
As many kids do, I enjoyed drawing my favourite characters. I clearly decided to take this further, as I found these Mickey and Minnie canvas pieces when going through my old files.
I had first planned out my designs on graph paper and then used that as a guide to stitch them on the canvas. Luckily I’d dated one of the graph paper designs (probably inspired by the sampler I’d done), so can tell that I was 10 when I stitched these.
Looks like I was still using the wool remnants and had more important things to do than bother with stitching a background! đŸ¤£
Discovering cross stitch
At some point after this I remember browsing through a craft shop with my Grandma and seeing a cross stitch kit of a Morris Minor. My Granddad was very proud of his Morris Minor so we agreed it would be a great project for me to stitch.
I’d stitched cross stitch in some of my previous samplers, but I think this was the first time I stitched a full cross stitch piece.
I got totally hooked as I then went on to stitch many more cross stitch pieces through my teens and early twenties. Mostly from kits or patterns, but I did also do a few of my own designs. These usually featured my favourite cartoon characters or were a sampler I’d designed for a family member.
It was in my teens that I first started experiencing mental health difficulties. Looking back, I can see that I would often use the stitching for some respite.
Here’s a selection of some of the cross stitch pieces I stitched.
Rediscovering embroidery
When I left home and moved to London, I got out of the habit of stitching.
I still made plenty of time for creative pursuits, just through different avenues. I took drawing and painting classes and learnt to sew clothes. But I’d be more likely to pick up some knitting or crochet than embroidery.
Then one day I suddenly got the urge again.
A partially completed cross stitch bookmark that had been sitting in a drawer for years started calling to me.
I was going through a difficult time and feeling very unsettled. Clearly my mind knew what I needed.
I picked up that bookmark and enjoyed feeling soothed by the mindful stitching.
It was a small project so quickly finished, leaving me looking for the next thing. That’s when I remembered hearing about the Royal School of Needlework and the possibility of doing classes at Hampton Court Palace. I think I’d first heard about them a couple of years before. Thinking “that sounds lovely” but then not getting around to doing anything about it.
Well this time I knew that I needed to do something for myself. Simply because I wanted to.
So I looked through their beginner classes and signed up for a day class.
Boy am I glad that I did!
That day class gave me an amazing sense of “coming home”. Like I’d found my space, my people. One of my first blog posts was about it.
Straight away I booked my next class. Then it didn’t take much more for me to take the plunge and sign up for their Certificate course.
I was hooked again!
I also felt very clear about how beneficial stitching is for my mental health. Which is a big part of why I created this blog – to share my passion and hopefully help others to enjoy the benefits of embroidery along the way. đŸ’—
You might like
If you’re getting started with embroidery, a quick and easy project or two can be a great way to build up your skills and confidence.
I specifically designed these polar bear and walrus patterns to be a great introduction to embroidery.
Get them as a kit or PDF pattern here.
Of if you prefer a more detailed walk through, both these patterns are included in my Introduction to Embroidery self paced online course.
It’s really good to read about your feelings on embroidery, you sound so passionate about it.
And I agree, embroidery is an art form but also a therapy of sorts.
Thanks Andrea, that’s so lovely to hear!