Creative trends in 2022: textile art and slow stitching gatherings

Sharing thoughts on trends in slow stitching/textile creative activities, and how it can help boost our mental and physical wellbeing in tough times

I love fabric. Making messes with fabrics in mixed media magic. Repurposing. Slow sewing (slow stitching). Especially hunting scrumptious vintage fabrics.

And it is no secret that I love all things creative: especially painting, art journalling, and writing. (I also love expressive dance and laughter-yoga, but these are somewhat curtailed by my broken knees).

I thought it was just my personal (slightly skewed!) lens - aided skilfully by the crafty Google and Facebook/Instagram algorithms - that was noticing more and more creative endeavours coming up in my feeds: painting, collage, creative writing, sewing, textile art. All kinds of colourful loveliness.

But no! It appears that those of us who know the true benefits (mind, body, and soul) of creativity in our daily lives are not alone … so off I wandered, to take a look and see if slowsew / slowstitching / hand-sewing / embroidery were particular creative trends that are in vogue this year.

Way back in the late 1800's/early 1900's, quilting circles were a focal part of local communities: women would gather together in ‘quilting bees’, working on quilts as a group activity, repurposing fabrics from bedlinen or clothes, things that were no longer good enough for their original use.

“The personal meaning behind a quilt's creation, the rituals, the repetitive actions involved in the sewing and the attention the quilt assembly requires all result in a meditative quality, and this can make time pass quickly.” (see Creative Art Quilting, in Resources)

Being part of quilting bees gave rise to a natural sense of connectedness while allowing for time to share stories and memories. Are we perhaps harking back to those days, after the isolation of so many during the pandemic?

Here are my thoughts on what I found on a very quick search, and how I feel they relate to one of my own personal favourite pastimes - that of slowsew / slow stitching.

Oh ... but before I do that, perhaps it would be helpful to share a Google search extract on what slow stitching is. Just in case you are wondering what on earth I am wittering on about!

"Slow Stitching is the practice of hand sewing with intention and thoughtfulness … giving us the perfect time to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. (The slowstitching) sewing method focuses on using simple hand stitching techniques and processes and gives total creative freedom ..." (thank you, Google search engine)

OK. So let’s go …

Trends in slowsew / slow stitching / textile art creative activities

In December 2021, Hobbycraft forecasted trends for 2022 that included mixed media yarn crafts, and make-do-and-mend sewing. (Great British Sewing Bee, anyone?!)

And in a recent study in the UK by MindBodyOnline.com indicated that "the definition of wellness means more than just staying physically fit—UK residents are increasingly focused on intellectual wellness.”

More than 25% of those who responded to their study ranked intellectual wellness right up there in the top 3 most important dimensions of wellness (mental health was ranked the most important).

43% regularly spend time on creative and stimulating activities as a way to boost their intellectual wellness
55% believe that the pandemic negatively affected their mental wellbeing

BUPA’s health trends for 2022 also make an interesting read, three of which (in particular) jumped out at me: Lead an eco-friendlier life; Track your stress levels; Start a mood diary

Let’s take a look at “Lead an eco-friendlier life” first.

BUPA’s report noted the increase in Google searches* for ‘climate anxiety’ had increased by 418%, and a 238% increase for ‘eco anxiety’.

Well, that’s great: there’s nothing more eco-friendly than to mend your clothes, or swap them and upcycle them in your own unique way. Or, as with the quilting bees, to repurpose clothes, curtains, and bedlinen into something else entirely. Bingo!

What about “Track your stress levels”?

The BUPA report noted an 80% increase in Google searches* for the words ‘stress tracker’ and a 50% increase for ‘cortisol levels’.

I think if people came along to one of our regular monthly SlowSew Gatherings (or even tried it for themselves at home, as a solo activity), they would find it very relaxing, helping to quieten their minds and soothe their spirit. A great way to reduce stress, both physically and emotionally.

The final health trend that jumped out at me was for “Start a mood diary”.

'Mood tracker journal’ saw an 88% increase in Google searches* and ‘mood journal’ saw a 50% increase. This trend really interested me, and I will share why in a moment.

Will this trend continue over the coming months?

There definitely seems to be more and more interest in our SlowSew Gatherings, as well as well as creative workshops where slowsew/slowstitching - and all kinds of textile art - techniques are being integrated in some way.

I feel the creative aspect has always been there, but the pandemic nudged us towards activities that we could do on our own, yet (in some way) still be a part of a something beyond ourselves, a way to connect with others - even if we were having to remain in our space, connecting virtually via Zoom or Facebook Messenger.

“ … as a private, contemplative activity, the slow rhythms of hand-stitching allow an individual to carve out time and space for introspective reflection. A collective stitching practice on the other hand, with fragmented tasks of short duration and frequent changes of colour, structures a very different space … .” (Shercliff, 2015)

As we learn to reconnect and be with others nearby in a physical space, we’re also juggling a new recession. The cost of living is spiralling out of control, and we find ourselves having to cut back on even the essentials. So to be able to make use of fabrics that are no longer fit for their original purpose, but can be used as a self-soother, a way to be creative, to find connection with others, and create some a-new … it makes sense to me that this is a new way of being with others at a very low cost to ourselves, financially. And, as such, becomes a trend.

Reflecting back on the ‘mood journal’ trend, I have also noticed a few people within my social circle creating wonderful pieces with textiles that are their very own version of mood journals: either in a fabric journal, a mixed media journal or on a length of fabric that is their year-long mood tracker. They may be hand-stitching, painting, free-style machine stitching, or using a whole medley of creative ways to add their daily entries.

Perfection is not the purpose, but it can be a really helpful way to keep track of your moods - or just use it as a reflective tool. I really like the idea of having a daily stitch journal, even if it’s just a few wonky stitches each day (there’s a link in the Resources section, below, for one person’s daily stitch journal).

One of my friends is making a temperature crochet blanket this year, which I just love. Each day she crochets a row in a colour that she’s pre-selected to correspond to a temperature range. Isn’t that such a wonderful idea? Imagine if you were to create something similar but as a mood journal?!

Thinking aloud …

Here at CreaTEAvity Studio, I have lots of ideas for the coming months about how to continue to showcase - and most importantly, let lovely people EXPERIENCE - the magic of working with fabrics, of making textile art - either with other mediums or working with offcuts and old clothes or linen.

As we share in our SlowSew Gatherings: “Imagine a space where you can put to one side any mind-monkeys, and take time out for you. Sharing a virtual cuppa with like-minded souls, while allowing your creative process to flow through your hands, one stitch at a time.

Discover with us the sheer joy of choosing fabric treasures and threads. Of allowing the slow rhythm of hand-sewing to slow down your breathing - and ultimately, your busy mind.

In this delightfully mindful and contemplative practice, there are no fancy stitches to follow, no sewing projects to choose from (or keep up with!) … and no experience needed. Just a willingness to turn up with your scraps of fabric and an open heart.”

I will be organising (and posting) a variety of mini-creative workshops over the next few months, fun explorations of working with textiles in different ways and with different themes so do take a moment to register for our monthly ‘Time for a Cuppa with CreaTEAvity Notelets’, if you’d like to know when they are available.

And, of course, I will be taking part in a few, too! I love to learn, and love to meet new people with similar loves and passions. This is one trend I am really happy to dive in and explore even further … and I do hope you will join me.

* to be honest, I didn’t take the time to look at over what timeframe these search increases were - naughty me! I assume (‘tho it may be wildly incorrect) that it was over the preceding 12-month period.

Resources

Research

Shercliff, E. (2015) Joining In and Dropping Out: hand-stitching in spaces of social interaction. Craft Research. Vol. 6.2. pp.187-207. DOI: 10.1386/crre.6.2.187_1
Shercliff, E. & Twigger Holroyd, A. (2020) Stitching Together: Participatory textile making as an emerging methodological approach to research. Journal of Arts and Communities. Vol. 10.1&2 pp. 5-18. DOI: 10.1386/jaac_00002_1

Image credits:

Textile colourful birds (image by PhotosForYou, Pixabay)

Lady stitching by hand (image by Teona Swift, Pexels)

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gift yourself permission to play, heal & show your true colours in the CreaTEAvity Studio: a space to nurture, reconnect to, and rejuvenate your creative spirit - wherever you are in the world

Categories: self nurture, slowsew