Mark & Mend Your Fabric & Heart

About this experience

Could you use a weekly creative practice that helps you feel present and grounded using hand stitching to explore slowing down, mark making, reflection and connection? Are you curious about how the simple act of hand stitching can mend our inner frays, reconnecting us to ourselves and others in an increasingly divided and chaotic time? 

Join this 4-week journey using needle, thread and cloth to pause, turn inwards and notice what you notice. Learn how textiles connect us to our hearts, minds, bodies, histories and the world around us while we focus on the
calming nature of the creative process over outcome, challenging notions of perfectionism and
mistakes.

PLEASE READ ALL INFO BELOW BEFORE SIGNING UP TO THIS CLASS
Skill Level: No previous skills required (basic to advanced)
Skills Learned:
 

• Basic embroidery stitches (straight stitch, back stitch, french knot) and mark making


• Sinking into the present moment through slow stitch (flow or “the zone”)


• Practice with nervous system regulation, mindfulness, noticing


• Opportunities to learn about textiles from a social/political/historical perspective and to
  share personal connections and to and reflections on textiles

Must be aged 16+

Learning outcomes:

Each week’s session will include a component connecting creative practice using textiles with
noticing and regulating our nervous systems, as well as time to practice collectively (in silence but also in conversation).

Additionally, we will examine the social, political and historical roots and significance of textiles to our human lives and engage in personal reflection on the role of
textiles in our lives – past, present and future.

 Here's what we'll cover:
● Overview of what neuroscience tells us about slow stitch practice and our nervous
systems

● Basic embroidery stitches/mark making

● Inspiration from other artists with similar creative practices

● Historical connections to textiles

● Personal connections to textiles

What we provide:

● Fabric kit and threads (Optional: Kit fee is $20 for a curated selection of materials put together by Amy, or you can bring your own!)

● 4 weekly facilitated group sessions 

What you Bring:
● Notebook for written reflections

● Favorite scraps of natural fabrics (cotton, linen, silk, etc…) and threads (optional kit available at the first class)

● Open heart and mind in search of slowing down

Also note: This truly is a learning journey, with a teacher guiding each of you towards your sewing goals. It's a small group class, and people work at their own pace. Students who prefer to take a little more time, or who miss a class may need to work on homework between classes, or book in for Open Sew time. We have Supported Open Sew on a regular schedule, as well as non-instructional Sewcials and Your Studio time that can be booked if you don't have a sewing machine at home. We do our best to encourage and support you in finishing your project, but make no guarantee of completion if students miss classes or need extra time. We cannot guarantee available make up classes. We are all individuals in learning style!

Because of the nature and small size of our classes, we are happy to switch you to another session or offer a refund with a minimum of two weeks notice.

Within 14 days of your starting class, we are happy to transfer your seat to a friend, but there are no refunds available - FINAL SALE. No shows are not eligible for refunds.

If you are a shift worker (or partnered with one, affecting your ability to plan) or have irregular ability to plan for other reasons, saving your registration for when you are certain about your availability reduces the stress for everyone- and if a class sells out before you get in, reach out to be added to a waitlist or to see if we can squeeze you in. We can often accommodate a last minute extra person, especially if you've been in touch in advance.