Working in the Wonder Studio: Stitching Meditation

In 2019, I created the Wonder Lab for 3^rd to 5^th grade students to use during their recess time.  They were allowed to create with cardboard, wood, fabric, and all manner of recyclables.  Wonder Lab morphed into Wonder Studio four years ago when the large space we were using was repurposed for the Computer, Science, and Engineering Lab.  I took a small foyer space outside my office, and I re-created the makerspace, which I dubbed Wonder Studio, because I knew the students loved to work on projects of their own imaginings, and I know how important that is.  Last year, my office became a overflow space for Wonder Studio so now we have more space for the 3-D printer, the Glow Forge and ample room for sewing.

Given the choice between hands-on and technology, the children prefer hands-on for their recess time.  They love to tinker and come up with different projects: making wreaths, weaving, knitting, building structures out of cardboard or wood.  Their favorite technological tool is the hot glue gun.  This fall, the 5^th graders had four weeks to explore the Wonder Studio.  We showcased things made of duct tape, and I had pictures of different projects on the bulletin board for them to see and get inspired.  However, what ended up inspiring them was some orange felt and black socks I had in the sewing space.  October was mainly spent teaching a group of girls to sew.

When I sew with children, I honor my mother’s memory.  My mom, Vivian, was a teacher, but before she became a teacher, she was a seamstress.  She made women’s dresses.  Vivian was so skilled that she could fold and cut a piece of fabric without a pattern.  Her ideas came straight out of her imagination.  She made much of her own clothes, amazing, worsted wool jackets and pencil skirts. When she had two daughters, she made many of their special occasion dresses, and always a new dress to start each school year, not to mention the many Halloween outfits she devised.  My mother could do things with a needle and thread that I could never dream to emulate, but I have taken her lessons and passed them along to many a young child.

I spent these past few weeks in the Wonder Studio sitting around large table with a group of girls who are passionate about learning to sew, and they all want to learn immediately!  At times, it was daunting trying to thread several needles quickly.  I tried to teach a few girls who I hoped would help the others, but that didn’t always work out.  So, I took a deep breath and helped girls thread needles, tie knots, make blanket and straight stitches, and then re-do stitches or untangle floss.  The girls made felt pumpkins, pillows, and black cats out of a stash of long black socks I had stored away.  Over the weeks, as we found our rhythm, I started to stitch on my own.  Instead of the frenzy of the first week, the girls could tie knots and thread needles on their own.  As I stitched, I felt a calm satisfaction.  I imagined my mom standing behind me with her hand on my shoulder.  This is why I teach young children to sew.   I once again can feel close to my mother, who died twelve years ago on November 8^th. I know Vivian would be so happy if she was here sitting beside us.  She would patiently pin fabric, attach buttons, and tie ribbon around those black cat’s necks.  Peace and calm came over me, and I knew I was right where I should be – part of this small sewing circle.

I thought about how sewing and paying attention to each stitch helped me calm down.  I was present for those precious twenty-five minutes of Wonder Studio sewing time, and everything else about my hectic day slipped away.  It was like revelation to me – “Wow, stitching is like meditation.”  And like everything in this world that I think is new, I “Googled” it!  I found that indeed there is a Stitch Meditation or Slow Stitch Movement.  Evidently, I’m not the first person to find that stitching promotes mindfulness whether it is in the form of knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, embroidery, or just plain sewing. Four years ago, I had written about mending as contemplation, but this year I physically felt more relaxed when I stitched with my students.  If you want to learn more about the Slow Stitch Movement,  there are tons of videos, websites, and books on the subject.  I don’t know where I’ve been that I’ve missed this mindfulness practice, but I plan to delve in and indulge.

Slow Stitch Resources:

• Connecting with Nature: Mindful Stitching and Textile Art Through the Seasons  by Tilly Rose
• Resilient Stitch: Wellbeing and Connection in Textile Art by Claire Wellesley-Smith
• Simple Hand Sewing: 35 Slow Stiching and Mindful Mending Projects by Laura Strutt
• Slow Stich: Mindful and Contemplative Textile Art by Claire Wellesley-Smith
• The Hand-Stitched Surface: Slow Stitching and Mixed-Media Techniques for Fabric and Paper by  Lynn Krawczyk
• The Slow Stitch Movement Website
• The Untamed Thread: Slow Stitch to Soothe the Soul and Ignite Creativity by Fleur Woods