20 things in 20 minutes! 20 easy to make slow stitching project ideas for your embroidered pieces!

[@bettablue2660]

The Japanese slow stitching is called Sashiko. It was used on men’s work clothing in areas of the clothing (knees) in order to keep the wear and tear limited. This is considered an art form in Japan, and requires great study. Work/cleaning cloths were also made as well. This art is still in use today, and the Japanese people do not see other trying their hands at it as cultural appropriation in the least. In fact they see it as a compliment.

[@jenihendrix3927]

Glad to see that not everyone is easily offended. My kids are obsessed with Japanese culture.

[@patvonfintel1927]

I've used slow stitching to cover trinket boxes

[@alisonbamford6723]

Most cultures have similar stitching patterns. Quilting was & still is often done with running stitch in different designs. Whilst Sashiko is quite geometric in style as is also quilting in some other cultures, other forms were more relaxed & freeform. Quilts or quilted items can be made using thinner fabric layers, either plain or patchwork with batting or a wool layer in between, others are made with just one or two thicker layers of fabric. Many quilts were historically made using more robust parts of old worn clothing, shirts, skirts, dresses, etc, which in themselves had often been darned with running stitch to extend their life. Running stitch quilting is in Worldwide use in one form or another.

[@MickMickey]

I have watched a few Sashiko videos and my work will never be like that. I do mimic the idea and have been patching my husbands work clothes. Knees for sure. Why keep buying new pants? I enjoy the work.

[@bettablue2660]

@@MickMickey you work just needs to be enjoyed by you! I did the same for all of mine.

[@sharontrumble4872]

Wow! I am so happy to see your ideas because…one, they are beautiful but also , so useful and practical and creative!!! I have been thinking what does one do with these beautifully stitched pieces besides put them in a treasure box to look at from time to time. Thank you!!!! My “wheels are turning! “

[@aleydayadiratoscano5896]

Hola desde México, siempre me ha gustado la costura y a mano es algo que me relaja bastante, he descubierto esta técnica recientemente y me ha encantado, conocía el Sashiko pero me parece cómo muy rígida ya que debes seguir un patrón pero aun me gusta, pero a esta técnica la encuentro mucho más relajante porque sólo debes dejarte llevar por tu propia creatividad, y te doy las gracias porque con estas sugerencias puedes darle vida útil al arte que creaste, y no queda sólo para ser observado, de corazón, gracias, y Dios te bendiga ❤

[@pjacksreads536]

All wonderful ideas. I will definitely give some of them a try. I slow stitched a design right on top of a pair of plain donated jean shorts. They came out beautifully. Got lots of compliments and requests for me to make more.

[@Ladythyme]

Great ideas! Just beware if you are making them to go on a card and to go through the mail, be conscious of the type of embellishments that are put on them as they will need to go through mailing machines and if too bulky will get caught and possibly rejected or they should be mailed in padded envelopes…😏 take it from experience 😳☺️

[@heatherbuechelartistry]

did you make the neck scarf you are wearing? If so I would love a tutorial on how to make that, it's beautiful. I enjoy your videos.

[@elaineforan4751]

The ideas are coming thick and fast thanks to you. Bag charms for your favorite handbag Purse. Key ring charm Wrist pouch for runners/walkers Luggage tags Coffee cup sleeve for your reusable cup. Pencil/paintbrush/makeup brush roll. Cutlery sleeve for your lunchbox. I'm sure I could think of more but I need to make some of these first! Thanks.

[@PCHPatti]

Idea for your base fabric...cutter quilts. I have collected a few handmade ones that have been harvest by crafters already. One I bought was very old and falling apart (I photographed sections to use in my digital art) but now you have me thinking about slow stitching projects as well. I hate to see anything handmade go to waste. I often think about who the quilter was and how I can preserve their work.

[@judymarkel8029]

Great ideas. I have made needle books. I really like to just look at my slow stitched pieces and touch them.😊

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Best thing to do with yoru slow stitching, just stroke it!

[@alisonmary1443]

Thank you, super ideas. Just set up my sewing chair in my bedroom for quiet easy time. Got to ask, did you make your scarf? It's very pretty.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

I didn't...I found it at the bottom of a drawer the other week!

[@evelynfrench804]

Thank you. Lovely items you have created. First time watching your channel. 💗

[@heather4142]

Great ideas! The watch band is brilliant. My mom's band just broke on her watch and it's a strange size to find a replacement. Maybe I'll make her one! I followed along with your video to make a book cover, but that's all I've done with slow stitching so far. I think it'd be fun to decorate a pair of pants with slow stitching. I saw somewhere online that someone put a piece of fabric with a T-Rex on it, behind a hole in their jeans. It looked like the T-Rex was busting out of the hole. It was really cool!

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

That's a briliant idea!

[@marijkeschellenbach2680]

I especially love the eyeglass case. Jonathan, that was a fantastic idea, well done!

[@jacquelinewhittaker4651]

I'm thinking that the cotton threads will break when the cat's teeth get to work. And they, like us, won't cope with a cotton thread in the mouth. Uncomfortable and dangerous?

[@Charlie-cz3jh]

Great idea for the facial cleaning wipes! The disposables are so expensive and I will feel better not throwing stuff in the garbage. Cute stuff. Thank You❣🤗

[@kimdodd6677]

All lovely ideas thank you clever with the 🕶️ case 💪 I'm fed up with pin cases i shall start some new projects. 🌹😻🐾💕

[@sonshineandsong]

I'm making bags for some Christmas ornaments, so they can be packed up and protected.

[@erikamather3339]

I love the plant pot covers! I have so many beautiful plants in ugly brown plastic pots. And when I buy a nice ceramic pot, it's never the right height or width or shape to hide the brown plastic ugliness! Headphone or earpod cases are good in slow stitch too (just fastened with a small loop and button) and make a nice gift :)

[@sharoncooper9593]

You are adorable! Your ideas are so creative and useful. Just found your channel and I LOVE IT! Thank you! You are an excellent teacher.

[@JP-mv2dy]

Absolutely fabulous Best video on slow stitched ideas Would be great if you could do a series of videos on actually making these Or even a online class Thank you

[@kimberleymaloy1728]

I loved the way Ginger Cat rolled around on his toy😂 lots of great ideas, heading for the bunting video now😊

[@rebeccajourney3183]

Brilliant idea with the lens cleaning liner cloth! Kudos to your hubby! Love all these Sarah❤

[@mariaeinarsson]

Love all of it❤️

[@elizabethsawyer5906]

A great video full of great ideas. Thank you so much💕

[@Robin-qc4gn]

Sarah, saying this was inspiring is such an understatement!!! I love every single thing and I think I will start with a little purse, since I've just purchased the bee clasps!! I also love the glasses case and I think your husband's idea for the lining was excellent, since it's so easy to smudge them while taking them out of the case! Thank you!

[@mariatrujillo7800]

Hermosos trabajos. Muchas gracias😊

[@sharontrumble4872]

Also, Sarah, Would you please share how you made the handle for the little bag with clash frames? I just ordered the frames and excited to be making these.

[@pamgreen1898]

Kool Kooky Kreatures here on you tube has a tutorial for the slow stitched cuff and kilt pin brooch as well as many other slow stitched tutorials , she is excellent, thank you Sarah so many ideas

[@poodlegirl55]

Those are some fabulous projects. Thanks for sharing. I just made a few cute headbands for my granddaughter.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Great idea!

[@carolreid9755]

Thank you so much Sarah for this video. I have been collecting bits and pieces in the form of grab bags of lace and material from the internet and have acquired a small but great stash, so this came at the right moment and I will get my thinking hat on now with all these wonderful ideas. They are all so useful/practical. The coasters are an excellent idea as a starting point.

[@judymartin4131]

Thanks so much for your ideas. I teach sewing classes at our public library. We offered slow stitching in our latest craft workshop . . . a one-time 2-hour session. Very popular. I’ll use this video for prep work for our next session on June 26. Also, your bunting was my 3-day weekend project. So enjoyed the process. It’s now dressing my front door, which got its annual shine up!! Can’t wait for company to come. ❤

[@kayherstedt6618]

Judy--I'd be interested in offering a slow stitching class at our local public library or my senior group. I'd love to know what supplies you asked them to bring and any guidelines you could offer me. I gotten into it last year and have a large fabric, etc. stash. Thank you!

[@kayherstedt6618]

Oops. I meant I got into it last year.

[@judymartin4131]

@@kayherstedt6618 Hello Kay. Our workshop in early June or July, Jeffersonville, IN, was quite popular. I limited the group size to 10. And then 2 more were on the waiting list. So I invited them. Most hadn’t hand sewn (or any kind of sewn). So I was busy teaching. You may want to qualify skills. The Library offered all materials free of charge. It took so little. And we get donations to our makerspace. If you want people to bring supplies, use Sarah’s video for examples. Also, I offered 6 examples for projects. Only one person was skilled enough to produce on her own. Only one person finished her project - a glasses case, with my needed supervision. A mother and daughter sewed quietly and chatted. That was how I pictured the workshop - with chatting among the whole group. Our session was a little more chaotic. A couple people who made little progress signed up for our basic sewing class. My bottom line advice is to offer a class in which you teach the skills and limit the projects to one or two. Or schedule a workshop, maybe a series of sessions for your friends. You could demonstrate specific stitches and help as they work on their projects. I’ve taught the basic sewing class at our Library going on the third year . . . 4 2-hour sessions per month, 6 months per year. Students are limited to 6. We have 4 machines. So anyone who can bring their own machine uses it in class. We make either an apron or a tote bag featuring sewing on curves and straight seams, with a few other basic skills. I also teach a class on laying and cutting patterns and one 3-hour session on installing zippers and hidden pockets, hemming pants and skirts, and making button holes. I went overboard on my response to your question. I’m in awe over the level of need and thrilled that people respond so enthusiastically. The testimonies I hear after the classes from women and men 20 to 80 and girls and boys 7 to 18 is highly encouraging. You’re welcome to contact me through Facebook iMessage if you want more details on the slow stitching workshop. You have my very best wishes on your session. Pls let me know how it goes. Judy Martin

[@judymartin4131]

@@kayherstedt6618 Hello again, Kay. I replied to your comment today. It was quite detailed. Still, I don’t see it here at all. Pls let me know if you found it.

[@kayherstedt6618]

Judy--I lost this msg but found you again. I forget what videos I watched! I find it difficult to navigate all the replies. Can you please send it again? Thank you!

[@maraiatela5701]

Thank you Sarah l am a new beginner enjoy it very much

[@alicemcclure4504]

❤❤❤❤❤ Super video..as always. On the snap purse/bag..I remember my grandmother having one with her glasses inside. You've given me some great ideas. Thank you and God bless you.

[@MariaMartinez-jb3zn]

Ooo the kitties were happy❣️ Great idea! I’ll have to do that ☝🏽 is that white Velcro to use for watch or bracelet? I have some things to do 🙏🏽🙋🏻‍♀️👍🏽 Mia

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

You can use velcro, press studs, ties...

[@magdastar2249]

Thank you for all these fabulous ideas. They make wonderful gifts too. ❤🙏😊

[@sharon-reggiecrawford3806]

OMGoodness! I'm new to this idea and I'm loving all of these great ideas. Thank you!

[@laracraft82]

Thank you so much for sharing these ideas ❤😊 the wipes are an ingenious idea 💡 😃 yep well done Jonathan keep those clever ideas coming. Love your purse so sweet 😮

[@beadmomma4]

So glad I found this video. I'm a quilter and I always have fabric scraps so you've given me some great ideas to use them. Love the catnip idea and I'm sure my cats will too. 😂 Thank you for sharing.

[@lindaherrington6291]

Some lovely ideas and inspiration.

[@pjtaylor6675]

These are some really neat ideas! thanks for sharing!

[@jacqui5352]

I am amazed that there are so many ways to create using slow stitching! Thank you Sarah for this inspiring video. Now, what shall I make…🤔

[@melanienicholson2834]

Fantastic ideas. Your napkin ring could be a bracelet

[@PawfectPastimesAmo]

Thank you for the mention 😊 I was looking hard at your neck scarf to see if you’d slow stitched it too 😂 🤔😁

[@judymarkel8029]

I was looking at her neck piece also

[@sharontrumble4872]

I was looking and wondering too!

[@lifeofjoy9404]

Haha! Me, too!!

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

No I confess I didn't...I found it at the bottom of my scarf drawer the other week!

[@shabistankhan7152]

Thank you for those cute ideas, love your work

[@maryjokruer6127]

Just starting my slow stitching journey, so gradually collecting finished pieces. These are some very good ideas of how to use them! I am wanting to put mine on clothing, so will see how they turn out.

[@sbffsbrarbrr]

Yes! New to this as well. I was hoping to use some of this as patches on clothing, jeans specifically. Maybe as a form of visible mending. So many great ideas and I'm excited to get started. Perfect projects for cold winter days.

[@elainet5870]

Great video! Nice ideas! I do enjoy slow stitching! 😃❤️

[@suebowen9876]

Thanks for your inspirational video . Off to find the video on bunting

[@angelaboniface451]

Some great ideas. Thank you so much. I haven’t made lavender bags since school (that wasn’t yesterday🤣🤣) and some slow stitched ones sound heavenly ❤️

[@sevenseen]

My fav channel 😭 thank dog for another Sarah H upload 🙏🏽🐕💖

[@debbiewood7718]

Good ideas. I like the idea of making the broach into a name tag for a retreat. It would be a lovely keepsake and you could use it other times when a name tag would be nice to wear.

[@Tribblejuice]

i love your hair color. i have been trying to get mine that color for years and is always too dark, to orange, too light, too brassy etc....Can you share what the color is called? I am turning 60 this year and would like my hair to be pretty like yours. thanks. PS...also really enjoyed this video!

[@mizs3891]

I loved your channel! Thank you so much!!! I am super stressed from work and you don't know how much your channel helps!! ❤❤

[@maryalgar8779]

Love the bookmark!

[@lesleighmclennan4635]

Great idea to line glasses case with the cleaner.... Loved all the ideas though

[@jeanbawden8071]

Fabulous ideas, thank you.

[@artistgrly]

Love all your ideas!! So creative and lovely. Hugs ❤

[@jraff3996]

Thanks for all your videos .. love watching them and constantly inspired Jo

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Thank you for your support x

[@pinkeeist]

You could sew the squares together so your drink mat becomes double sided. Love, love the pot plant covers. Love the napkins and holders. Great video. Thank you,

[@susie8083]

Love the idea of catnip toys for the cat 🐈 Thanks!

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

They are still playing with them!

[@gaila.c.602]

HI Sarah. Great ideas! TFS 💕

[@sarahvenz3654]

Fabulous pieces and inspiration

[@kalicokathy1944]

I enjoy your videos. You are such a great fabric artist

[@WendellIshmael]

interesting. I enjoy viewing your projects.

[@youmefpp]

Thank you Sarah love your channel

[@j.woww.94]

That steampunk wristband is beautiful!

[@lindaschillers6405]

these are terrific ideas sarah! i love them all and feel inspired to make something! tit was so nice to see each beautiful piece. thanks for sharing them with us today. linda from california

[@clnason]

Love these ideas!

[@liltroublemaker1230]

its off topic, sry for that but i have to ask and find an answer to my question: can you use machine embroidery yarn also for hand stitching? (maybe you have to take them double?) seems like the whole internet dont have an answer to this question 🤷

[@m.reynolds9663]

I think basically you can use whatever you want for hand stitching. There’s no hard and fast rules for this pleasurable slow stitching. It’s supposed to be relaxing and a use for left fabrics, buttons, lace, threads, etc. it’s all up to you to use what you have!

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

See comment below and check out my video on sampling! Try things out see if they work for you...

[@thecat5620]

Hello Sarah, do you have a tutorial on how to make the necklace you are wearing?

[@fayneilly833]

Thank you for all the lovely slow st pieces

[@kelleyamador8838]

So many pretty, sweet things!

[@김정숙-i8o]

겉에 스티치하는 실이 무엇인지 모르겟어요 저는 한국사람이에요

[@MsOhsusanna]

Wonderful ideas.

[@sandramyer7081]

What’s the back fiber?

[@TheKazadoodle]

Calico or unbleached cotton

[@wendyrupp7138]

Great ideas! What do you use to close the watch band?

[@sherylloyd1937]

Great inspirational video. Endless possibilities. Thanks sarah

[@sylviafielding5437]

Thank you Sarah - these ideas are fabulous and I can’t wait to try some x

[@mariatrujillo7800]

La verdad los quiero hacer todos😍

[@susanspisak65]

Lovely ideas❤

[@minkademko2335]

How about hair bobs and snoods?

[@peggyrogers2562]

New to slow stitching and absolutely love you and your videos!!! I live in East Tennessee, USA

[@kare952]

Hello from Massachusetts, USA! I love these clever items 🥰 thank you!

[@evocationart8370]

Love the ideas ❤

[@JacquelineScully]

Will certainly be digging out my 'stash' soon. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@myriamhaar2753]

I just made a bank card case for my husband, and I'm making an e-reader case at the moment. Love the idea of the phone and eyeglasses cases.

[@shanazrashidhussain8506]

Really loved all the ideas,Sarah. I will share the pics with you soon. Thank you

[@janettaylor9058]

Love the ideas the hearts done in christmas material make great decorations. Going on a course in October for slow stitching.

[@juanitaleblanc2940]

So clever…I am new to slow stitches…very interested…thank you

[@sindybessette2062]

I did a letter (mail) holder. Wall hanging type!

[@carolehicks6314]

very good video and simple ideas that are inspiring. so glad I came across your video.

[@mavinfo62]

You have a wonderful sense of color! Thanks from Russia!

[@lorettavalmorbida7793]

These are great ideas, and will try some of them Thanks for showing us.

[@laurellewis1638]

Really enjoying this channel, so creative ❤

[@gailgaddy5340]

Neat ideas😊

[@merabalaji6665]

Nice

[@akorn95]

💖🚀💫✨💖

[@anner.413]

Very cute projects. Love them. ❤

[@dianaholmes6889]

Great ideas!! Thank you

[@cynthiaroberts7809]

Brilliant ideas!! Thanks!

[@compasscompassion]

Excellent ideas 🔋🔋🔋