Making Time for Stitching

People often ask me about how I can get so much stitching done, one answer is that I spend lots of time on it, but more importantly, I make time for stitching because it is so good for my soul. It relaxes and refreshes me, it’s a comfort when life is difficult and it gives me something to do when life is boring.

A key to making time for stitching is preparation. Do you have your tools, projects, and materials organized enough so you can find what you need? It’s hard to get up and go with your stitching when you can’t find a needle, or the scissors.

Some people store threads, needles, canvas, charts, and even scissors in one bag per project. So they are always ready to go. I’m not that organized, but I do have several pieces in my current rotation which have the threads with them waiting to go. They are all on stretcher bars and can come with me. I don’t even need to find a new needle most of the time.

A second key is knowing what you have. A big unorganized stash is not an invitation to stitch. I go through the wire baskets with projects in them at least once a year, picking a rainy day. That lets me get rid of projects I won’t ever do, find things which are almost done, and rank what’s left. It always gives me renewed desire to stitch.

You might think about rotating your projects to get things done. Some people work on any project a certain amount of time. I am more flexible. I always have what I call a “car project” These are small projects which I work on while I wait in the school parking lot. They aren’t hard, the threads are cut, and I don’t need them for anything.

When I traveled for work I always had an “airplane project” with me. Usually these were ornaments. If I got stuck at an airport (and this happens lots more these days), I had something to do which was small.

I also have a piece which is just background. Sometimes you don’t want to think when you stitch so having a project like this is great. In fact, it’s the project going with me to the orthodontist today, as I don’t have a car project at the moment. My daughter’s wire change takes about 45 minutes, I’m stuck there, so I stitch. These projects, especially if they are worked “in hand” are also great for car rides.

And then there are the big pieces which stay at home. I work on the current one a bit every day. For me it’s while I watch decorating shows on TV. For you it might be for half an hour after work, or just before bed.

Needlework gets accomplished one stitch at a time. If you are ready to stitch, you can get lot done, filling in the corners of your day.