I have been using slow stitcheries as a way to process the loss of my mother-in-law. She and I had become quite close and in the last two years, especially, I helped to care for her as we navigated the diagnosis of terminal cancer.
Hand stitching is my current thing, and has been for years. I hauled a colorful, happy quilt around to most of my mom’s doctors’ appointments throughout her battle with cancer and Alzhemiers. That was 12 years ago. This time around, I thought I’d work with something smaller. Carolyn already had a heavy, old lady purse. There was no brick…I checked! Then she started insisting on a huge shopping bag that she used to carry an extra set of clothes, her medicines, a light blanket, and whatever new whim she decided on. Telling her it was unnecessary to haul everything–just leave it in the car, I’ll go get anything you need–was like talking to the bag itself. So, whatever I carried for my stitcheries had to fit in my purse.
Of course, I tried a book at first, but there were too many distractions. I’m really good at blocking noise out when I read. (I’ve read at Beta Convention where there were 5,000 teens!) But these interruptions were for me, personally. She would begin by saying, “Uh, Mary…”
To make these little stitchery bags, I first did the stitching. As you can see, whatever I felt like working with would do. It was all VERY improv. A few extra pieces of lace or scraps made it more interesting as I went along. In no time, the stitcheries started to build up. The work was small and slow, but still… I could pile only so many pieces of lace or fabric on a 4″ X 6″ base, and it was finished.
At the time, I needed something to put my rosary in, and my stitcheries were conveniently available. That solved that. Because, what else could I do with them. As it turns out, I’ve since had a few ideas: any kind of small bag, bookmarks, journal covers, hair bows, gift tags, postcards, etc. See what I mean? Anyway, I made a bag for myself using a drawstring as a closure. Every bit of the bag made by hand. Just because I could, and why not?
I don’t have a favorite, but my sisters definitely all have differing tastes, which worked great when I gave them out last Sunday. Since they were such a hit, I’ll make a few more and see where this takes me.
Here are a few slow-stitching websites that I enjoy reading and watching
