New Year’s Resolution: A New Hobby!
Try Something New This Year! Learn Embroidery!
I love the new year! While I’m not super into New Year’s resolutions, it does feel like a fresh start and a perfect opportunity to try something new! Why not embroidery?
Breaking the Embroidery Stereotypes
STOP! I know what you’re thinking: Embroidery is just for little grannies in rocking chairs stitching on doilies. But you’re wrong! Think customizing your favorite sweater with a trendy rising sun. Think a chunky bouquet of flowers framed in a sleek modern wooden hoop for a statement gallery wall piece. Think upgrading your daughter’s jean jacket with a penguin! How cute! Embroidery in the modern age is for everyone!
"I’d Never Have the Patience for Embroidery"
“I’d never have the patience for embroidery” ...You: “Whoa? Did this chick just read my mind through the internet?” No, I just hear this all the time lol Please, let me tell you, I’m an incredibly impatient person and embroidery is PERFECT for me. It FORCES me to slow down. You can only stitch so fast, ya know? While with other art forms I would rush right through them simply because I could. Which brings me to my second most frequent rebuttal…
Overcoming the “I’m Not Crafty” Mindset
“I’m not crafty”, “I would be horrible at this”, “Mine would never look that good” etc. Listen, I am NOT a crafty person. I swear it! Anyone who knows me personally knows this (just ask my mom who is continually in absolute shock that I run a “crafting” business!). But because I’m inclined to just rush through any other project, my paintings and drawings and handwriting look like a 3rd graders (although this comparison may be an offense to 3rd graders). If I can rush, I’m going to. But with embroidery, I’m forced to slow down my hands AND my mind.
Embroidery: Perfect for a Busy Lifestyle
“Meh, I really don’t have time for a hobby”. Embroidery is literally perfect for a busy lifestyle. I started stitching while working as a physical therapist and raising a wild 2 year old. Because there’s no big set up or tear down, no counting, you can easily pick it up and put it down as you please. Lunch time? Nap time? You’d find me stitching. It’s also incredibly easy to travel with because all you need is your hoop, fabric, needle, threads, and small scissors. I always keep a Work In Progress bag in my purse and car. Long pick up line? I’m stitching. Doctor’s office waiting room? I’m stitching. Plane ride? You get the idea.
Starting Your Embroidery Journey
I think you’re starting to warm up to this idea! Seriously, what’s the worst that could happen anyway? If you’re ready to give it a go, I have 2 ways you can get started…
Option 1: Dive In with a Design Kit
Jump in with one of our full Design Kits where you’ll learn as you go by stitching a complete design right along with me using the step by step video tutorial. These are meant for COMPLETE BEGINNERS. No experience necessary, like never even picked up a needle and thread before beginner friendly! With this approach, you’ll learn just the bare bones basics and only what you need to know to complete that particular design. This is a great test run and you’ll end up with an adorable finished piece.
Option 2: Take a Beginner Embroidery Course
Or take one my Beginner Embroidery Courses! We have a Full Beginner Course option that provides a full foundation of all things embroidery or, if you want something a little lighter, we have the Embroider on Clothing & Everyday Items: Beginner Mini Course. A great option if you’re really just looking for the basics so you can embellish kid’s clothes or tote bags or cloth napkins etc.
However you decide to jump into embroidery, just start!
You’ll thank yourself later! Happy Stitching!
-Hannah
