Creating a Stitch Journal: The Art of Meditative Stitching
Back by popular demand…Described by artist Claire Wellesley-Smith as “no rules, no projected outcome. A record of days, but not a daily record.” Slow Stitching or stitch journaling is not necessarily about having a plan or creating an item, but it is a meditative approach to stitching. This fiber-based equivalent to journaling or a sketch book is about the process of finding your own quiet, the meditation of the slowness of stitch work, and creating space in your life and your mind to focus for moments in your day. In this workshop you will begin to explore the idea around a personal daily stitching ritual, and practice a small library of basic stitches to get you started. Needles, thread, sewing hoops, and fabric will be provided – or you can bring your own fabric, scrap, or garment to stitch on.
Itinerary:
Morning: We’ll start with introductions before diving into the practice of stitch journaling. Discover the way rituals and meditation can merge with fiber arts to create a meaningful piece that reflects your lived experiences. You’ll have the chance to reflect, share and create!
Break for lunch
Afternoon: After lunch, we’ll continue to work on stitching pieces, learning techniques that you can continue to develop as you begin a meditative stitching practice of your own.
Meet Your Instructor:
Kristina Nichols
Artist. Maker. Serial learner. Advocate of slow. Kristina Nichols is a textile artist based in Traverse City, Michigan. Utilizing traditional textile techniques, she creates heirloom quality textiles for the body and the home. A weaver and hand-dyer since 1994, her focus is on excellent craftsmanship to create pieces that are both beautiful and highly functional. Her one of a kind pieces and micro-collections are inspired by colors and textures in nature.
Turn on the Coffee Pot:
Every morning Kristina Nichols wakes up, starts the coffee pot, walks 10,000 steps, and sits down to stitch…something. The tapestry Kristina creates after consecutive days of stitching is certainly the most tangible result of her practices. It is also an impressive representation of remarkable dedication to craft. But if you ask Kristina, you’ll learn that the final tapestry is of least importance to her when it comes to her daily habits. For her, it is not the stitching nor the walking that drives her practice or commands the most discipline…it’s turning on the coffee pot.
Once she does that first thing, she falls into her habits of walking and stitching with ease. This class is an invitation to do the same. Whether your goal is to practice meditative stitching daily, to drink more water, or get outside every day, demystify the complexity of incorporating consistent practices into your routine. Sometimes we just have to start, turn on the coffee pot, and go from there.
Green Door classes are immersive and intentionally long. We find that over prolonged time together, students form deeper bonds with each other, the craft, and their instructor for an over all more impactful experience. Even if you are a Traverse City local, the intention is that these classes feel a bit like a retreat away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. If you are visiting from afar, the experience can be even deeper.
Class Details:
Where is the class held?: This class will be held at Green Door Folk School in Cedar, MI, a place that so readily lends itself to community in crafting.
Visiting from out of town?: Surrounding Green Door Folk School is Cedar North of J2 Farms. Cedar North is dedicated to enriching the world through arts and agriculture. Stay in the airbnb…steps from the classroom, art studio, and farm!
Cost includes all required materials.
Date/Time: November 22nd @ 10:30 am – 4:30 pm
Prerequisites/Skill Level/Age Requirements:
- No prior experience required.
- Ages 18+
Booking Information and Policies:
What happens after I book the class?: After you book, we will send you a confirmation email that you are IN! A week out from the class, we will send you an email with more details about our meeting locations and some housekeeping items.
Want to make sure you have all of the information before you dive in? Here’s our cancelation policy: We understand that plans change, and we do our best to accommodate while honoring the time, energy, and resources that go into preparing for each class.
Cancellations made more than 14 days before the class start date Receive a full refund, minus a $25 administrative fee. This fee helps cover the cost of filling your spot. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds for cancellations made less than 14 calendar days before class begins.
At this time, we are not able to offer:
• Course credit
• Transfers to other courses
This policy allows us to keep class sizes small and intimate, while minimizing pressure to increase overall course costs.
If the class is canceled by the school: In the event of inclement weather or other disruptions, we will issue a full refund and do our best to offer a reschedule option.
Policies:
Go for it! If you’re in need of a daily meditation practice, enjoy detailed work, or love to find creative ways to document your lived experiences, this is the class for you!