What if you gave yourself permission to create without worrying about whether you were doing it “right”?
To try a technique simply because it fascinated you. To make wonky stitches, experiment with unfamiliar materials, change your mind halfway through a project, or spend an afternoon learning something that you’ve never tried before.
That idea has always been at the heart of Making Zen. When we first created the retreat, we wanted to build something that felt different, a place where creativity wasn’t another item to tick off the to-do list.
Instead, Making Zen became a place to slow down, learn from incredible artists and teachers, connect with makers around the world, and remember what it feels like to create simply because the process brings you joy.
And soon, we’re doing it all over again.
The next Making Zen Online Retreat is happening September 28 – October 2, 2026, and behind the scenes our artists have been busy preparing an entirely new collection of workshops for you.
There are new techniques to discover, new artists to meet, new projects to explore, and, if previous retreats have taught us anything, probably a few unexpected creative rabbit holes to wander down along the way.
We’ll begin revealing more very soon.
Until then, I’d love to hear from our Making Zen community: If you could spend five days learning something completely new, what creative technique would you love to explore?
There’s something quietly taking shape behind the scenes… 🧵
For the past few months, our inboxes, studios, and screens have been filled with conversations, creative ideas, beautiful textiles, workshop plans, and glimpses of projects that we’ve been trying very hard not to share just yet.
Which can only mean one thing… Making Zen is coming back.
From September 28 – October 2, we’ll once again be gathering makers and artists from around the world for five days devoted to creativity, curiosity, and the joy of making with our hands.
If you’ve joined us before, you know there’s something rather special about Making Zen week. It’s not about racing through every workshop or trying to create everything perfectly. It’s about discovering new techniques, meeting artists you may never have encountered otherwise, following the ideas that spark something in you, and sharing the experience with a wonderfully encouraging creative community.
And if you’ve never joined us before? We cannot wait to welcome you into this little corner of the creative world.
We’re not quite ready to show you what we’ve been working on… But we will be very soon. For now, save the dates: September 28 – October 2, 2026. More Making Zen goodness is on the way.
One of the themes that kept appearing as I wrote this month's blog was the idea of listening.
Not listening for instructions or trying to perfect every stitch.
Listening to ourselves. Listening to our hands when they become tired. Listening to our eyes when they ask for a break. Listening to our posture before our shoulders begin to ache.
It's easy to think that slow stitching simply refers to the speed of our needle.
But perhaps it's really about slowing ourselves enough to notice what our bodies have been trying to tell us all along.
I've shared some of my favourite habits for stitching comfortably, and safely, in this month's blog.
I hope it encourages you to care for yourself with the same gentleness you bring to every stitch.
One of the simplest ways to make your stitching practice more enjoyable has nothing to do with the needle, the thread, or even the fabric. It has to do with the light around you.
When we can see our stitches clearly, something shifts. Our eyes don't have to work quite so hard, our shoulders naturally begin to relax, and we find ourselves able to settle into the gentle rhythm of stitching much more comfortably. It's one of those small details that's easy to overlook until we've experienced the difference.
I've found that the changing seasons often invite me to rethink my stitching space. The chair by the window that was flooded with afternoon sunshine a few months ago may now be a little dimmer, or I might find myself reaching for a task lamp as the evenings grow longer. Rather than seeing this as an inconvenience, I like to think of it as another way of caring for my creative practice.
Our eyes do an incredible amount of work every time we stitch. They notice tiny details, guide every stitch, and help us appreciate the beautiful textures and patterns that emerge along the way. They deserve the same kindness we show our hands.
One habit I've found especially helpful is following the 20-20-20 rule. Every twenty minutes, I pause to look at something about twenty feet away for twenty seconds. It's a wonderfully simple way to give my eyes a chance to rest before returning to my work with fresh focus.
Sometimes the smallest adjustments make the biggest difference. A little more light. A short pause. A moment to look up.
They're gentle reminders that slow stitching isn't only about caring for our projects, it's also about caring for ourselves.
Do you have a favourite place to stitch? Is it by a sunny window, in a cosy reading chair, or perhaps beside a favourite lamp?
When we think about creativity, it's often the finished pieces that come to mind. The completed sampler hanging on the wall. The beautifully mended garment. The carefully stitched pouch that's finally ready to use.
But I've come to realise that some of the most important parts of the creative process can't be seen at all.
They're the quiet moments spent thinking. The walks where ideas slowly begin to form. The afternoons spent flipping through books or simply noticing colours and textures in the world around us.
Even setting a project aside for a while can be part of creating. These moments may not leave visible stitches behind, but they shape every project that eventually finds its way into our hands.
Creativity isn't only what happens when we're holding a needle. It's also what happens when we're paying attention. Perhaps today, even if you don't make a single stitch, you're still nurturing your creative practice in ways you don't yet realize.
Some of us have a dedicated studio with shelves full of fabric and thread. Others create from the corner of the dining room table, a favourite armchair by the window, or a little basket that travels from room to room.
I've always loved seeing where creativity happens because no two spaces are ever quite the same. Some are beautifully organized, while others are filled with works in progress, little piles of thread, open books, and fabrics waiting patiently for their turn.
The wonderful thing is that creativity doesn't ask for a perfect studio.
It simply asks for a place where you feel comfortable enough to begin.
Whether your stitching space is large or small, permanent or portable, it's uniquely yours and I'd love to see it.
Share a photo of your creative corner in the comments. It's always such a joy to peek into the spaces where your beautiful work comes to life. 💙 Happy stitching!
One of the most overlooked parts of learning Sashiko isn't the stitching itself, it's learning how to care for the hands, eyes, and body that make the stitching possible.
It's easy to get caught up in choosing beautiful fabrics and threads, but building good habits from the beginning can make your stitching practice more comfortable and enjoyable for years to come.
In my recent blog, I share simple tips for: 🪡 Working safely with needles and pins 🪡 Protecting your hands while stitching 🪡 Reducing eye strain 🪡 Improving posture during longer stitching sessions 🪡 Simple mindfulness practices to help you notice when it's time to rest Sometimes the most important part of slow stitching is remembering to embrace the "slow."
There's something comforting about beginning again.
Whether you've taken a break from stitching, finished a project, or simply haven't picked up your needle in a while, creativity is always waiting patiently for your return.
One of the things I love most about Sashiko is that it doesn't ask us to rush or catch up. Each stitch is simply an invitation to be present. It doesn't matter how long it's been since your last project, what matters is the stitch you're making now.
Sometimes we imagine we need uninterrupted hours to create. More often, all we really need is ten quiet minutes, a needle, some thread, and permission to begin exactly where we are.
Perhaps today is a good day to stitch a little. What project are you returning to this week?
☀️ Today's the final day of our Summer Flash Sale!
We're closing the week with Circular Moyozashi, a workshop that explores one of the most captivating and meditative styles of Sashiko stitching.
As repeating stitches gradually form intricate circular patterns, you'll discover why Moyozashi has become such a favourite among stitchers who enjoy slowing down and immersing themselves in the rhythm of handwork.
It's a beautiful reminder that remarkable designs often emerge from the simplest repeated stitches.
If you've been following along all week or have been waiting for the workshop that speaks to you, this is your final opportunity to enjoy one of our Summer Flash Sale offers.
Circular Moyozashi is available at 50% off today only, and when the day ends, so does this year's Summer Flash Sale.
Thank you for stitching with us this week, we hope one (or more!) of these workshops inspires your next creative adventure.
Zen Stitching
What if you gave yourself permission to create without worrying about whether you were doing it “right”?
To try a technique simply because it fascinated you.
To make wonky stitches, experiment with unfamiliar materials, change your mind halfway through a project, or spend an afternoon learning something that you’ve never tried before.
That idea has always been at the heart of Making Zen.
When we first created the retreat, we wanted to build something that felt different, a place where creativity wasn’t another item to tick off the to-do list.
Instead, Making Zen became a place to slow down, learn from incredible artists and teachers, connect with makers around the world, and remember what it feels like to create simply because the process brings you joy.
And soon, we’re doing it all over again.
The next Making Zen Online Retreat is happening September 28 – October 2, 2026, and behind the scenes our artists have been busy preparing an entirely new collection of workshops for you.
There are new techniques to discover, new artists to meet, new projects to explore, and, if previous retreats have taught us anything, probably a few unexpected creative rabbit holes to wander down along the way.
We’ll begin revealing more very soon.
Until then, I’d love to hear from our Making Zen community:
If you could spend five days learning something completely new, what creative technique would you love to explore?
#MakingZen #MakingZen2026 #ZenStitching #MindfulMaking #SlowCrafting #CreativeRetreat #TextileArts #CreativeCommunity #MindfulCreativity #Handmade
18 hours ago | [YT] | 3
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Zen Stitching
Every experienced stitcher was once a beginner.
There was a first needle to thread.
A first running stitch.
A first knot that didn't quite work the way it was supposed to.
It's easy to look at beautiful finished pieces and forget that every maker begins exactly the same way, one stitch at a time.
If you've been curious about Sashiko but haven't quite known where to begin, I'd love to help make those first steps feel a little less overwhelming.
That's exactly why I created my free Sashiko Essentials: From First Stitch to Mastery guide.
It's designed to gently introduce you to the tools, techniques, and confidence you need to begin your own stitching journey.
Every beautiful piece begins with a single stitch.
Perhaps yours begins today.
You can download it here:
www.zenstitching.ca/sashiko-essentials
#ZenStitching #LearnSashiko #Sashiko #SlowStitching #MindfulMaking #CreativePractice
1 day ago | [YT] | 5
View 0 replies
Zen Stitching
There’s something quietly taking shape behind the scenes… 🧵
For the past few months, our inboxes, studios, and screens have been filled with conversations, creative ideas, beautiful textiles, workshop plans, and glimpses of projects that we’ve been trying very hard not to share just yet.
Which can only mean one thing…
Making Zen is coming back.
From September 28 – October 2, we’ll once again be gathering makers and artists from around the world for five days devoted to creativity, curiosity, and the joy of making with our hands.
If you’ve joined us before, you know there’s something rather special about Making Zen week. It’s not about racing through every workshop or trying to create everything perfectly. It’s about discovering new techniques, meeting artists you may never have encountered otherwise, following the ideas that spark something in you, and sharing the experience with a wonderfully encouraging creative community.
And if you’ve never joined us before? We cannot wait to welcome you into this little corner of the creative world.
We’re not quite ready to show you what we’ve been working on…
But we will be very soon.
For now, save the dates: September 28 – October 2, 2026.
More Making Zen goodness is on the way.
#MakingZen #MakingZen2026 #ZenStitching #MindfulMaking #SlowCrafting #TextileArt #CreativeCommunity #CreativeRetreat #HandStitching #SlowStitching
1 day ago | [YT] | 3
View 0 replies
Zen Stitching
One of the themes that kept appearing as I wrote this month's blog was the idea of listening.
Not listening for instructions or trying to perfect every stitch.
Listening to ourselves.
Listening to our hands when they become tired.
Listening to our eyes when they ask for a break.
Listening to our posture before our shoulders begin to ache.
It's easy to think that slow stitching simply refers to the speed of our needle.
But perhaps it's really about slowing ourselves enough to notice what our bodies have been trying to tell us all along.
I've shared some of my favourite habits for stitching comfortably, and safely, in this month's blog.
I hope it encourages you to care for yourself with the same gentleness you bring to every stitch.
You can read it here:
www.zenstitching.ca/blog/sashiko-101-sewing-safely
#ZenStitching #SlowStitching #MindfulMaking #Sashiko #CreativePractice
3 days ago | [YT] | 7
View 0 replies
Zen Stitching
One of the simplest ways to make your stitching practice more enjoyable has nothing to do with the needle, the thread, or even the fabric.
It has to do with the light around you.
When we can see our stitches clearly, something shifts. Our eyes don't have to work quite so hard, our shoulders naturally begin to relax, and we find ourselves able to settle into the gentle rhythm of stitching much more comfortably. It's one of those small details that's easy to overlook until we've experienced the difference.
I've found that the changing seasons often invite me to rethink my stitching space. The chair by the window that was flooded with afternoon sunshine a few months ago may now be a little dimmer, or I might find myself reaching for a task lamp as the evenings grow longer. Rather than seeing this as an inconvenience, I like to think of it as another way of caring for my creative practice.
Our eyes do an incredible amount of work every time we stitch. They notice tiny details, guide every stitch, and help us appreciate the beautiful textures and patterns that emerge along the way. They deserve the same kindness we show our hands.
One habit I've found especially helpful is following the 20-20-20 rule. Every twenty minutes, I pause to look at something about twenty feet away for twenty seconds. It's a wonderfully simple way to give my eyes a chance to rest before returning to my work with fresh focus.
Sometimes the smallest adjustments make the biggest difference.
A little more light.
A short pause.
A moment to look up.
They're gentle reminders that slow stitching isn't only about caring for our projects, it's also about caring for ourselves.
Do you have a favourite place to stitch? Is it by a sunny window, in a cosy reading chair, or perhaps beside a favourite lamp?
#ZenStitching #Sashiko #SlowStitching #MindfulMaking #SewingTips #CreativePractice #HandStitching #CreativeWellbeing #TextileArt
6 days ago | [YT] | 28
View 0 replies
Zen Stitching
When we think about creativity, it's often the finished pieces that come to mind.
The completed sampler hanging on the wall.
The beautifully mended garment.
The carefully stitched pouch that's finally ready to use.
But I've come to realise that some of the most important parts of the creative process can't be seen at all.
They're the quiet moments spent thinking.
The walks where ideas slowly begin to form.
The afternoons spent flipping through books or simply noticing colours and textures in the world around us.
Even setting a project aside for a while can be part of creating.
These moments may not leave visible stitches behind, but they shape every project that eventually finds its way into our hands.
Creativity isn't only what happens when we're holding a needle.
It's also what happens when we're paying attention.
Perhaps today, even if you don't make a single stitch, you're still nurturing your creative practice in ways you don't yet realize.
#ZenStitching #QuietReflections #SlowStitching #MindfulMaking #CreativePractice #Sashiko #textiles #textileartist
1 week ago | [YT] | 18
View 1 reply
Zen Stitching
Every creative space tells a story.
Some of us have a dedicated studio with shelves full of fabric and thread. Others create from the corner of the dining room table, a favourite armchair by the window, or a little basket that travels from room to room.
I've always loved seeing where creativity happens because no two spaces are ever quite the same. Some are beautifully organized, while others are filled with works in progress, little piles of thread, open books, and fabrics waiting patiently for their turn.
The wonderful thing is that creativity doesn't ask for a perfect studio.
It simply asks for a place where you feel comfortable enough to begin.
Whether your stitching space is large or small, permanent or portable, it's uniquely yours and I'd love to see it.
Share a photo of your creative corner in the comments. It's always such a joy to peek into the spaces where your beautiful work comes to life.
💙 Happy stitching!
#ZenStitching #CreativeCommunity #SlowStitching #MindfulMaking #Sashiko #TextileArt #studio #textileartist
1 week ago | [YT] | 12
View 0 replies
Zen Stitching
One of the most overlooked parts of learning Sashiko isn't the stitching itself, it's learning how to care for the hands, eyes, and body that make the stitching possible.
It's easy to get caught up in choosing beautiful fabrics and threads, but building good habits from the beginning can make your stitching practice more comfortable and enjoyable for years to come.
In my recent blog, I share simple tips for:
🪡 Working safely with needles and pins
🪡 Protecting your hands while stitching
🪡 Reducing eye strain
🪡 Improving posture during longer stitching sessions
🪡 Simple mindfulness practices to help you notice when it's time to rest
Sometimes the most important part of slow stitching is remembering to embrace the "slow."
You can read the full article by following the link in my bio 👆 or here:
www.zenstitching.ca/blog/sashiko-101-sewing-safely
#ZenStitching #Sashiko #SlowStitching #SewingTips #MindfulMaking #CreativePractice #HandStitching #TextileArt
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 14
View 0 replies
Zen Stitching
There's something comforting about beginning again.
Whether you've taken a break from stitching, finished a project, or simply haven't picked up your needle in a while, creativity is always waiting patiently for your return.
One of the things I love most about Sashiko is that it doesn't ask us to rush or catch up. Each stitch is simply an invitation to be present. It doesn't matter how long it's been since your last project, what matters is the stitch you're making now.
Sometimes we imagine we need uninterrupted hours to create. More often, all we really need is ten quiet minutes, a needle, some thread, and permission to begin exactly where we are.
Perhaps today is a good day to stitch a little.
What project are you returning to this week?
#ZenStitching #Sashiko #SlowStitching #MindfulMaking #CreativePractice #TextileArt #SlowCraft
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 7
View 0 replies
Zen Stitching
☀️ Today's the final day of our Summer Flash Sale!
We're closing the week with Circular Moyozashi, a workshop that explores one of the most captivating and meditative styles of Sashiko stitching.
As repeating stitches gradually form intricate circular patterns, you'll discover why Moyozashi has become such a favourite among stitchers who enjoy slowing down and immersing themselves in the rhythm of handwork.
It's a beautiful reminder that remarkable designs often emerge from the simplest repeated stitches.
If you've been following along all week or have been waiting for the workshop that speaks to you, this is your final opportunity to enjoy one of our Summer Flash Sale offers.
Circular Moyozashi is available at 50% off today only, and when the day ends, so does this year's Summer Flash Sale.
Thank you for stitching with us this week, we hope one (or more!) of these workshops inspires your next creative adventure.
☀️ Discover today's workshop:
zenstitching.ca/summer
#ZenStitching #Sashiko #Moyozashi #JapaneseTextiles #SlowStitching #MindfulMaking #HandStitching #TextileArt #CreativePractice #SlowCraft
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 3
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