Those of us who lead sewing classes at Wyldwood frequently use driving analogies when explaining various facets of the craft. There is a foot pedal on the machine, after all! One parallel that doesn’t always get covered? Sewing is just as cognitively complex as driving—and folks are often surprised by how much focus this (mostly) relaxing hobby can truly require.
Don’t get me wrong—I love to unwind and blissfully zone out while sewing. But just like cruising down an empty highway at night is different from navigating rush hour downtown, sewing a batch of tote bags for holiday gifts is a whole different thing from honing the tailoring on a me-made garment.
We encourage folks new to sewing to be gentle with themselves while learning new skills. This past winter, I found myself needing to take my own advice—albeit for different reasons. I’m carrying a lot in life right now, as I know so many in the community are during this turbulent year. I’ve found myself with less brainpower than I’m used to having at my disposal for creativity. Perusing my WIPs doesn’t always energize me; sometimes, just thinking about the steps required for a project leads to overwhelm and creative shutdown. I know I have the skills to complete the project—my energy reserves just aren’t always up to snuff. I’ve made the mistake of sewing while exhausted enough times to notice: “Hey Kael, this is no longer fun and you don’t even like what you’ve made.”
Sarah gets it.
It can be very discouraging to be in the land of overwhelm and burnout, where a beloved hobby feels out of reach. It’s hard to talk about—like, I’m a f*in sewing instructor. What do you mean I’m “too tired to sew”?? I share my story as a way to be gentle with myself and, hopefully, encourage others to honor their bodies’ and minds’ requests for rest and restoration when the world is overwhelming.
I honor the seasons in my garden, tucking my vegetable beds in over winter to allow the soil time to rest and replenish between growing seasons. My sweet chickens’ natural biological cycle gives them a break from constantly laying eggs over winter, and we let them rest and enjoy their well-earned treats and cozy coop.
Earlier this spring, I decided to honor my own need for rest and tucked my sewing machine, Wendell*, under his cover for a while. He wasn’t banished to the outer realm, though! Wendell stayed out where I could see him, surrounded by my shiny sewing treasures, encouraging me each time I walked by that we’d have more adventures together soon.
I’ve also honed a few practices for these periods of rest and reset that I’d love to share with you, our Wyldwood community, for your own seasons of stillness.
Outsourcing Decisions
I love a good craft kit. Something about unboxing the materials and following each instruction step by step delights my inner child. As much as I love designing a project from start to finish, sometimes time for initial planning just isn’t in the cards. Having a project ready to go—with winning color combinations and material selections—can be just what I need. Plus, I love the idea of engaging with another artist and bringing their vision to life. There’s always an opportunity to make my own choices and add my touches as I go.
Adopting an Abandoned WIP
The best finds in the thrift store or our Craft Exchange Corner? Orphan WIPs! Maybe my brain doesn’t want to start a brand-new project, but finishing yours sounds great. Similarly, exchanging projects with friends or attending a project swap meetup can stoke creative energy. Bidding goodbye to some WIPs during the last JFFI challenge lifted a weight off my sewing shoulders that I didn’t even realize I was carrying.
Selecting Simple Projects to Bring Joy
Low effort projects with materials I love to work with are key. I have a hand quilting project on deck, with perfectly imperfect straight row stitches that are meditative to glide through. The luster of the hand quilting thread, paired with thread gloss, and some sashiko needles? Sensory joy in every row! Bonus points for having enough quilt to cover my lap, and the occasional 4-legged quilting companion.
Margot loves a cozy quilt along and wholeheartedly endorses snuggle sessions.
Anything-But-Sewing
Taking time to engage with my other hobbies has been my lifeline this time around. Like many hobbyists, I have no shortage of dilly-dalliances to choose from. I’ve rekindled a love for a repetitive knitting project I put aside last summer—working those thought-free rows while rewatching my favorite shows for hours on end. In the daylight, tending my yard and growing a whole yard’s worth of pollinator-friendly flowers from seed puts my mind at ease.
Allie prefers knitting, adding extra fluff along the way.
Creating in Community
Being in community with other creatives feeds my soul and helps inspire and reassure me. No matter your creative outlet, makers of every type go through cycles of inspiration and rest. Craft nights with friends new and old, classes in a new-to-me craft, even crafting with my kids—these are all ways I remind myself that it’s not so serious, you know? The making is what matters, when it brings you joy
Cozy watercolor night at Wyldwood- a new-to-me endeavor!
I’m most delighted to report that after a season of following these rhythms, I’ve come around again to sewing—catching inspiration in some Cairo linen I’d tucked away for a rainy sewing day. I made myself a Saguaro Set just in time for spring. (Winter Kael, thank you for getting me here. Our therapist is very proud of us.)
We at Wyldwood strive to foster a community of creators who support one another and make creativity accessible for all. If we can help lower any barriers between you and your creative spark, we consider that a win. I hope this list has inspired and encouraged you to take heart—and take all the time you need. Your sewing will be there, waiting for you, whenever you’re ready.
<3,
K
*If you haven’t read Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett, this is your sign to find a copy and learn more about the mischievous faerie king who loves nothing so much as silver sewing needles and tailoring a perfectly fitted cloak for his beloved. The audiobooks are particularly delightful!
