Mindful Stitching
Mindful Stitching is the class I took while at the Minnesota Quilt Show with my quilting friend, Sally. We enjoyed a quiet morning of stitching together.
Our class instructor was Maday of Sustainable Textile Design. She brought some of her quilts, and they were beautiful. Each one has a story, with bits and pieces of clothing, buttons, etc. that had meaning to her.
Mindful stitching is a process using scraps of fabric, worn or recycled clothing, etc. Big stitches, a stitching method also known as Sashiko, Boro or Kantha is used. A Sashiko needle is easiest to use with the different weights of threads. In the class, we tried Ito, Lucien, Sulky and Sashiko threads in varying weights. Here at home, I’m using Wonderfil thread in 3, 5 and 8 weights.
Here’s the piece from class, which I have continued to work on this week. Some of the fabric scraps were gifts from Maday, the rest are from my scrap stash.
It is a collage of fabric stitched to a piece of batting/stabilizer called battilizer. However, it works just as well with scrap pieces of batting.
Here’s a peek at some of the stitches I’ve made on my piece.
The backing is interesting too, with all the stitches running here and there.
I still have a ways to go on this little piece before I’m ready to finish it. I’m still learning how to secure the fabric scraps well. I’m not sure what this will be, but it’s fun to stitch on at night while I’m watching a show.
Have you ever tried big stitching? I’d enjoy hearing about your experience.
Wendy
16 Comments
Dione @ Clever Chameleon
This looks relaxing. 🙂
piecefulwendy
It is, Dione! Thanks!
Vicki in MN
What pretty threads you have on it. So it is another form of improv, place a fabric, stitch it and add another fabric? Or did you plan the background pieces first?
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Vicki! I just added fabrics as I went along.
Sandra Healy
I’ve never tried this but it looks very appealing. I imagine it’s very relaxing to do and I love the look of your quilt and all its little stitches.
piecefulwendy
Thank you, Sandra. It is very relaxing!
catpatches
It looks great. I big stitch quilted a lap size quilt once. I chalk it up to insanity. Nevertheless, I’ll probably do it again.
piecefulwendy
I remember that quilt!
Louise Hornor
The back reminds me of those Zen sand gardens, where you rake the sand into little furrows with a tiny rake. Very soothing 🙂
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Louise 😊
Lisa
I love your piece. It’s really beautiful. I have done a bit of big stitching but not enough.
piecefulwendy
Thank you, Lisa. Not sure if I’ll are something from this piece, or just add to it and keep going. We’ll see!
Kathleen McCormick
What a fun piece and fun to take a class with a friend. I love the little touches, like the selvedge piece. The stitches are addicting aren’t they. I did some once on a Laura Waslilowski piece I made and had a blast with it. It will be fun to see it finished.
piecefulwendy
Thank you, Kathleen!
My Sewful Retirement
I really like the look of the big stitches, it also seems relaxing. I love your improv piecing!
piecefulwendy
Thank you!