Stop stalling, start stitching

You’ve been thinking about it for months. Maybe years. Every time you see a beautiful piece of textile art online, you tell yourself “One day…”

Finally, you decide: Today’s the day! You’ll start that creative project you’ve been dreaming about.

You gather some fabric scraps you’ve been saving. You find your old sewing box. You clear a space at the kitchen table and…

And then what?

You realise you’re not sure where to begin. So you think maybe you should look up some techniques first. You open your laptop to do some research.

But there’s so much information… And your inbox needs checking while you’re here… Oh, and you should probably put another load of washing on… And didn’t you promise to call your sister? And it’s almost time to start dinner anyway…

Another day slips by without creating anything.

Tomorrow, you tell yourself. When I have more time. When I know more. When I’m more organised. When life is less busy.

Deep breath. You’re not alone. In fact, you’re in excellent company. Every accomplished textile artist started exactly where you are now – with a desire to create and uncertainty about how to begin.

The difference? They found a way to start. And today, we’re going to show you how you can too.

The real barriers & why they won’t stop you anymore

The time trap

“I’ll create when I have more time,” you tell yourself. But here’s the painful truth: That mythical expanse of free time will never arrive. Life has a way of filling every available moment – unless you decide to claim some for yourself.

Every day you put off starting is another day of creativity lost forever. Another day without discovering the joy and peace that comes from working with your hands

Another day without making something meaningful and personal to display in your home or give as a treasured gift to a loved one.

Laura Otten, a Stitch Club member who broke free, told us: “Before I thought I had to have big chunks of time to put into making art.”

“Now I understand that’s not the case and I am working far more regularly because of it. I can get something done in 30 minutes or less, and then tomorrow, I can spend another 30 minutes.”

“And eventually, I’m going to have something to show for it.”

“Doing workshops online that I can revisit in my own time, helps me break things into manageable chunks.”

Laura Otten, Stitch Club Member

The perfectionism prison

You stare at blank fabric, paralysed by the fear of making something “wrong.” But as Gregory T. Wilkins, a former Stitch Club tutor, reminds us: “Perfection is subjective. I prefer discovery. What you may think of as your imperfections as a stitcher help you to interpret what you see in a way that nobody else could.”

The overwhelm obstacle

Your mind buzzes with too many possibilities. So many ideas!

Will I do a rough edge or turned-under appliqué? Will I paint the background fabric first? Will I print photos on fabric to incorporate in the piece? Will I finish the piece with hand stitching or machine stitching?

Until the weight of choices crushes your creative spark entirely.

6 simple ways to unleash your creativity in small pockets of time

1. Embrace the power of tiny

Forget masterpieces. Start with moments.

• A single experimental stitch during your coffee break
• Fifteen to thirty minutes of colour play before bed
• One small sample square per week

Remember: A cathedral is built one stone at a time.

Your artistic journey begins with a single stitch.

Celebrated textile artist Clarissa Callesen puts it perfectly: “When a child learns how to play the piano, we don’t expect them to compose an original symphony.”

“They play ‘Mary Had A Little Lamb’ over and over again, and then progress to harder, more challenging compositions as they go.”

2. Fall in love with the process

Try to imagine:

• The meditative rhythm of needle through fabric
• Asking “what if?” instead of “what should?”
• The satisfaction of seeing your unique vision emerge, experiment by experiment, stitch by stitch

The magic isn’t just in the final piece – it’s in the moments of creation.

Textile artist Monica Bennett discovered: “Samples give me the confidence to tackle larger or more intricate pieces because I can try out a concept or thought beforehand and see how and where I could develop it.”

3. Use limits as launchpads

Complete freedom can be paralysing. Instead, why not:

• Choose just three colours 
• Work with only one type of stitch
• Don’t buy anything new! Use only the materials you already have

Watch how these boundaries spark rather than stifle your creativity.

Sue Stone’s three-fabric, three-thread, three-colour Stitch Club workshop helps members avoid decision fatigue and unleash creativity.

Just look at the diverse, beautiful pieces showcased above created by Stitch Club members Linda Florio, Ruth Atkinson, and Debbie Greene using these simple constraints.

4. Transform “failures” into discoveries

Every “mistake” is an invitation to:

• Let “wrong turns” lead to new techniques
• Use imperfections to develop your unique style
• Turn missteps into creative opportunities

Wendy Kirwood’s breakthrough moment: “I wasn’t happy with the look that my pale threads were giving my piece.“

“So I started cutting the stitches to remove them, and things started fraying. But, actually, this looked really appealing, so I embraced my mistake, and kept the cut threads.”

As Mary Kelly says, “Detours are always more interesting than the main road.”

5. Let structure set you free

Having a clear path forward doesn’t mean being inflexible or uninstinctive, but it eliminates the energy-draining question of “What next?” Whether through:

• Following a workshop structure
• Creating your own step-by-step plan
• Setting simple daily goals

When you know what to do next, you spend less time thinking and more time creating. Your subconscious mind keeps working on ideas between sessions, leading to unexpected breakthroughs. 

6. Stand on the shoulders of giants

Give yourself permission to:

• Learn from artists you admire
• Practice techniques that inspire you
• Combine influences to find your voice

Textile artist Sabine Kaner reassures us: “Being influenced by other people’s work is quite normal and it’s all part of the process of discovering more about yourself.”

“You will eventually pull away from that and start introducing things into your work that are unique to you.”

Clarissa Callesen adds: “Originality is a concept that we’ve put up on a pedestal as the ultimate.”

“But I think that when we concentrate too much on originality it stops us from following our own curiosity. Copying is normal as a starting point.”

“When you combine inspirations and techniques from different artists, you create the thing that is yours.”

Clarissa Callesen, Textile Artist

Your creative awakening awaits

That creative energy inside you? It’s not just a whim. It’s not just a hobby. It’s a vital part of who you are, waiting to emerge.

Every day you wait is another day of creative expression lost forever. But here’s the beautiful truth: You can start right now. Not when you have more time. Not when you’ve mastered every technique. Now.

Think of it this way:

• Every textile artist you admire started exactly where you are
• Every stunning piece began with a single stitch
• Every creative journey starts with one small step

Take that step. Make that stitch. Join a community that understands and supports your creative journey.

Your artistic voice is waiting. Isn’t it time you let it speak?