slow stitch & crochet
slow stitch & crochet
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A time tested craft of hand sewing to use up thrifted linens, scrap fabrics and enjoying the slower pace of creating with your hands and embracing the beauty of imperfection.
2026 is when I began my slow stitch creative urge and picking up the crochet hook once again.
With no plans to add another craft to my life, supplies or skill set - it just happened, I enjoyed it and I couldn't stop. Each project idea that came to me was an opportunity to learn this new to me technique and already I've made several functional use projects.
Yes - each of these project/items are hand made hand stitched by me.
Just like junk journals, all creations are made mostly from thrifted items - fabrics, threads, crochet cottons, batting/wadding, linens, clothes, notions, trims and more. There truly is an abundance of supplies in your local second hand op shops.
You can view more on my Instagram page.
All The Frills - September 2026
A birthday gift to myself after purchasing a slow stitch kit from Kate in the Nest. Made from vintage wool blanket pieces, vintage floral and indian fabrics, thrifted laces, fringe, crochet flowers and so much more. The simple way to explain such creations is layer up all your items one stitch at a time, one flower at a time, one embellishment at a time and then add the next - and keep going.
Inspriation from 'Kate in the Nest' on Youtube and her Brittany pouch.
See a video on my Instagram
Crochet Shopper Bag - August 2026
Made from thrifted and old fabrics, ribbons, lace and more that I needed to use up in my stash. Crochet with a size 9 hook and blending torn fabric strips with various thrifted yarns and a touch of gold metallic yarn for a bit of sparkle. I crochet individual flowers for practice then connected them for the flower decorations. I added a thrifted pearl necklace for extra bling.
See a video on my Instagram
Pretty Pastels Crochet Rag Bag
This was the prototype crochet bag I made with the idea to make a few more to sell at my market stall. Made from torn fabric strips. It is very fun and I've since add more sparkles and embellishments to customise for myself.
See a video on my Instagram
Crochet Clutch
I made this one to practice a different style of bag with a flap (to see if I could improve on my Pastel Brights bag). There are a few wonky edges and maybe a skipped stitch or extra added where they shouldn't be. I love the imperfectness of this one and it is a great size to pop out of the house with.
See a video on my Instagram
Pastel Brights Crochet Rag Bag
I think this was my very first crochet bag. I hadn't crochet since a few decades ago and decided to have a go and trust however it turned out.
From memory I started this bag several times, pulling out the crochet because I really had no idea how to start it off at the size I wanted it to end up as. It took me a long time for such a little bag. But I love the colour combination and I've even been asked about it by several people when I take it out of the house with me.
Inspriation from 'Kate in the Nest' on Youtube.
See a video on my Instagram
Front of bag
Back of bag
Inside bag with flap up
Pillowcase Shopper Bag
Made from a vintage white cotton pillow case with floral embroidery on the edge of the case. I have hand stitched various fabric and lace patches from scrap fabrics and just kept going and going. Then embellishing with beads, sequins and more.
I sewed on a band (red ticking/stripe fabric) to extend the depth of the bag and add additional strenght for the the handles I sewed on. I use this bag very often and it is a great size from an extra shopping bag and quite sturdy as well. There are even some pockets on the outside and inside.
See a video on my Instagram
Slow Stitch Blanket Tote
Not needing another tote but inspired to try my hand at making one from vintage wool blanket and then add thrifted bamboo handles. I originally intended to make it a large pouch to store projects in but it ended up being this tote.
I've hand stitched it all including the flower brooch I've attached to it. I took this tote away with me on a trip to Hobart as a carry all on the plane and it served the purpose very well. I have many pockets on the inside as well which prove very very handy when travelling and shopping.
Inspriation from 'Kate in the Nest' on Youtube.
See a video on my Instagram
Fancy Frills
This was meant to be a project pouch - a simple pouch to store an 'on the go' project in except it turned into this instead. The more I added to it, the fancier it became and I love using this one as an evening bag when going out to dinner.
It is made from a vintage wook blanket I sourched from a local op shop and I've slow stitched all sorts of fabric scraps, made frills from fabric scraps, added nice trim, lace, broches and so much more. There are even some bonus pocket on the inside.
See a video on my Instagram
Wrist Cuffs
Wearable art. Inspried from some of the creative crafters on YouTube I tried my hand at making my own slow stitch cuffs. The base is a strip of vintage wook blanket then lined on the underside (that touches the skin) with velvet, and the top is layered with all sort of items such as a lace, fabric scraps, notions, embellishments, beades, gold thread and more. They clasp around the rist with buttons and elastic.
See a video on my Instagram
Nesting Japanese Rice Bags - June 2026
Inspired by the Komebukuro Japanese Rice Bag which was used to carry rice offerings to temples. They can be used for a variety of uses such as storage, lunch bag, hand bag, travel packing cubes and so much more. They are sturdy yet soft, spacious and can be made in any size to suit your needs or desires.
Made from thrifted fabric scraps layerd over thrifted batting/wadding. I've both machine sewed and handstitched as well as done some slow stitching embroidery.
Inspiration from YouTube creators of Roxy Creations, Create and Craft with Christine and many more.
See a video on my Instagram
My Hussif (housewife/sewing roll)
June 2026
A hussif is historically known as a huswif or housewife as in a portable sewing roll.
Create however you like or with no plan at all (like me) and design as you go.
Made from scraps of a thrifted wool baby blanket and fabric scraps I had in my stash. Add on whatever embellishments are within reach - lace, beads, sparkly things, doily scraps and hand made yo yo's (the fabric flowers).
Inspiration from YouTube creators of Kate in the Nest and Roxy Creations and more.
See a video on my Instagram
Wool Pouch
May 2026
Pouch, clutch, bag, container - call it what you will but they are fun to create and use up those vintage textiles.
Made from scraps of a thrifted wool blankets and some doilies already with lovely cross stitch.
Inspiration from YouTube creators of Kate in the Nest and Roxy Creations and more.
See a video on my Instagram
All the Colours pouch
March 2026
When the urge strikes to take any fabric scrap in whatever colour, place on backing fabric then stitch away - this is what you can get.
Add on whatever embellishments are within reach - lace, beads, sparkly things, doily scraps and hand made yo yo's (the fabric flowers). Lined with fabric from thrifted pyjamas and a handstiched zip from the bottom of my thrifted zip stash.
Wild Flowers in Bloom tote
March 2026
Made from a vintage wool baby blanket I found at an op shop. It took some courage to cut up the blanket but I'm glad I did.
I layered all the flowers I could find in my fabric stash and stitched away until I was happy it was blooming enough. Even the bamboo handles are thrifted along with the beaded fringing, cross-stich vase of flowers and more.
Inspiration from 'Kate in the Nest' on Youtube and her flower to flower on wool blanket pouches and tote making.
More shares of this bag on my Instagram account.
Fabric Bowls
March 2026
Made from scraps of fabric, and a thrifted quilted Eurpoean pillow case.
My first bowl I fully hand stitched and it took me a good whole day. Then making the next one I decided to machine stitch the bowl then embellish by hand. They even stack nicely when filled with fabric scraps for the next project/s.
Inspiration from 'Roxy Creations' and other creators on YouTube.
Denim & Floral Bag
February 2026
Made from the leg of a thrifted pair of jeans and thrifted floral fabrics, linens, pillow case, trims and more. I love the lining - its from a thrifted Laura Ashley European pillow case I got from the op shop down the road from me.
It was the first time I ever hand sewed a zip - and I think it turned out pretty good. It works!
I love how this turned out and it's currently my favourite to go with me when I leave the house.
Inspired by the 'flower to flower' method that 'Kate in the Nest' uses on her YouTube channel.
Small Tote
February 2026
This bag turned out not quite how I had in mind (the inspiration image I found on Pinterest was a little different) but I love it all the same.
Using fabric scraps, and thrifted denim from a pair of jeans and lining it with more thrifted fabrics.
Gift Pouch for Mum
February 2026
I made this for my mum's birthday in her preferred colours of blue and white and theme as she loves the beach and lives at the beach.
The beach/sail boat fabric is from a pair of Tommy Bahama linen shorts of my husbands that finally gave in. The fabric was too lovely to throw out so what better use than for slow stitching projects.
Glam Scraps Pouch
February 2026
This turned out a little more glamorous than I expected. I was inspired by a YouTube video to make a pouch with your wonky scraps - so I did that and then kept adding lace, beads, ribbon and more until it turned out like this.
I absolutely 🥰 it and wish I had of actually made it a little bigger and sturdier to fit more in when I take it out with me.
Tea Dyed & Lace
February 2026
I've had a few vintage tray cloths in my cupboard for a while and the size of them I knew was conducive to a project, I just didn't know what.
Then this bag was born. I tea dyed the tray cloth which went perfectly with the doily's I used. I embelished with bits of bridal lace and beads I've had in my stash for some time. It's lovely and soft to touch and was very functional on a holiday to Canberra for my crossbody day bag.
Shabby Chic Pouch
January 2026
After making my first pouch I decided to go all in and go full on shabby chic. I love the pretty and shabby style but was never courageous enough to go all in.
So here is my shabby pouch as a celebration of going all in.
Inspiration style and method from the lovely "Kate in the Nest" - look for her on Youtube/Instagram/Web.
Big Flower Pouch
January 2026
My first pouch. I took inspiration from 'Kate in the Nest' on Youtube where she uses her own 'flower to flower' technique. I realised I didn't have that many flowers on my scrap fabrics so I tried a 'scrap to scrap' method.
I love how all the colours are like a splurge of spring time with added sequins, beads, lace and more. Looking at this pouch brings me the feels of fun.
The Set - Big Tote, Trifold Satchel, Pouch
January 2026
First I made a trifold pouch as my first slow stich from scrtch project - inspired by 'Kate in the Nest' on Youtube and her pouches. Then I decided to do a tote (over 50 hours of hand slow stitch) which was a huge effort but I enjoyed it greatly.
Then I made the pouch to match my tote.These all turned out lovely and with no plan, no vision, no idea - just add fabric, stitch and keep going.
My first slow stitch project
January 2026
This was my first slow stich project from a swatch of an already stitched yet unfinished piece that I bought off a lady at Murwillumbah Markets. It was the colours of the fabric and her stitching in different coloured threads that caught my eye and inspired me to see if I would like this craft.
I didn't have an idea or inspiration of what to do with the piece but I soon found myself turning it into this needlebook for myself.
From making this, the next project soon began.
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