From Thread to Story: Bringing Creativity to Life
Creativity is a journey and it can sometimes be tumultuous—often starting with doubt but evolving into something profoundly personal and significant. I’ve been on that journey—there may be no endpoint, but a journey (or is it an expedition?) of tears and disappointments, then growth and renewal. When you start off learning a new technique, more often than not expectations are set very high that you can create something perfect immediately afterwards. I think it might have to do with today’s instant gratification culture. During my workshops, I always emphasise that it is important to enjoy the process of learning and making mistakes as it is the only way to improve, and from there practice at home to hone the skill. Each participant comes in with different levels of sewing skills, and over the course of these workshops, I have been fortunate to observe how some turn basic stitches into expressive pieces, with each creation holding its own distinct narrative and feeling.
Embracing Creativity Through Stitching
One of the things I love most about teaching free motion embroidery and Broderie Anglaise is how each participant brings their own perspective to the techniques. While some students start with a clear vision, others allow the process to guide them. No matter the approach, there’s always a moment when the thread and fabric start to reflect something personal—a memory, a feeling, or even a message to themselves.
I remember one participant who came into a free-motion embroidery session in Singapore feeling unsure about her abilities. She had just started out her sewing journey and had begun using her sewing machine to sew bags for her friends (which I think is an amazing feat in itself). She believed that being an expert in using a sewing machine and knowing how to sew garments was a prerequisite, but that's definitely not true if you want to learn free motion embroidery. All you need to know is how to thread and operate it, and of course read the sewing machine manual! By the end of the workshop, she had created her own free motion embroidered applique tea towel inspired by her walks in nature (see the cute mushroom she free motion embroidered in the gallery below!). She did not even follow my patterns, which was an indication of her potential! Seeing participants’ confidence grow with each stitch is an encouraging reminder of why I love sharing this craft. Check out their creations below!
Embrace the Process - There’s no Right or Wrong Way!
I provide patterns for students to follow along in my workshops. However, they are just a guideline, and you’re more than happy for you to go off tangent once you are familiar with the technique. One participant, Kay L, at the Making Zen Retreat applied my Broderie Anglaise techniques to her ice-dyed raw silk fabrics to create work just in time for Christmas! She mentioned, "I probably need to make at least a hundred to get it right," yet in my eyes, she had already crafted something lovely. Her work demonstrated that creativity isn't about reaching perfection but rather about embracing the journey, trying new things, and finding happiness in the act of creation. The essence of my teaching is that creativity isn't attained through perfection or strictly adhering to the patterns outlined in the workshop; it centers on expression, flexibility, and making it personal.
Kay’s creation with Broderie Anglaise
An Invitation to Explore Your Own Creativity
Do you need to be an expert with the sewing machine before you begin delving into embroidery or textile art? The answer is no, but you do need to know how to operate the machine and sew a straight line—you have to know the rules of sewing on a sewing machine before breaking them with free motion embroidery! In reality, a lot of my workshop participants start off with just the basics of operating a sewing machine. What is most important is curiosity and a readiness to try new things. If you enjoy working with thread and fabric and want to take it a step further, I encourage you to participate in one of my forthcoming workshops (online and in-person). Regardless of whether you want to master basic techniques or explore the limits of conventional embroidery on the sewing machine, there is room for your imagination to thrive.
If you are unsure, try this straightforward activity at home: take a piece of scrap fabric or any leftover piece of cloth from your haberdashery, and use a needle and thread to sew something that you’ve observed from your day—it could be the outline of a leaf you observed during your wall, the texture of the pavement, or just a word that speaks to you. Allow the thread to lead you, and discover where your imagination leads you. You don’t have to stitch for long. It could be 10 minutes, or even 30! At the end of the session, ask yourself how you felt with the whole process?
If the process made you feel good, then you might want to delve further into taking up a new technique and even learn the the art of creating with textiles. Join me for my online textile art workshops, or my in-person sessions if you’re in Singapore where you’ll receive guidance and support. I’d love to see what you create!
