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.
Try making your own from discarded items or learn from others inspirations,
Here is how...
If you haven't yet - check out this page here Slow Stitch & Crochet - to see more of the items I have created for myself by learning slowstitch, sewing and crochet.
I keep telling myself that "I don't need anything else, not another bag, not another container, not another this or that" but when I get inspired by what other make or by a new technique I think I might like to try - I give it a go anyway.
Items I have hand made for myself to practice and learn slow stitch and crochet in 2026 - so far.
Where to start
Firstly - do you have any unwanted, unused textiles around the house?
Such items could be clothes you no longer wear, linens such as sheets, yarns, broken jewellery, fabrics you had an idea to sew something with but never did, curtains, maybe some crochet doilies you don't use anymore, threads, ribbons, lace, ropes even. Thinking outside the box helps here.
Collecting or creating a small stash will help you have enough options to get creating. Personally I find most of my items at the op/thrift stores, the second hand sewing shops around Brisbane and sometimes my own wardrobe.
Secondly - binge watch some YouTube or social media (suggested creators to watch listed below), peruse Pinterest and other platforms for visual ideas to inspire you and give you images of something you might like to create for yourself.
I find this really helps you get an idea, a sense, a concept of what is involved in making something from scratch or upcycling with new layers of your own designs to create something unique and one of a kind.
Every creator creates differently so keep in mind - your way is best for you.
Thirdly - just start.
I rarely have a clear vision of anything in life and certainly not my handmade items - so I just start with a base then add fabrics, laces, bits and pieces as I go.
For me - the more layers, the more embellishments, the more fru fru the better.
And keep adding piece by piece until it ''feels'' done.
Learn more or teach yourself.
How did I learn to create with slow stitch and crochet? 👉 YouTube!
There are many amazing artists and creators that have YouTube channels and I have learned from many of them. I have a few favourites but always find new videos and channels with tips, tricks, ideas, and inspiration from the many many crafters across the world.
There are no rules, no expectations, no one way to create - you put stuff together and turn it into a unique bespoke handmade creation and use it or gift it.
My Inspiration
If you are interested to learn from other crafters - below are some creators that continue to inspire me with their very own creations and processes.
There are many many creators out there - I have watched way too many videos from a lot of creators (I'm a binge learner - actually the word is 'autodidact'). The below is a good starting place to learn about how other crafters create something from nothing.
There are new creators popping up all the time so search on whatever platform you prefer to find your favourite junk journal tutorials.
Happy crafting! 🥰
https://www.youtube.com/@kateinthenest
https://www.youtube.com/@roxycreations679
https://www.youtube.com/@roxycreationsbysarah
https://www.youtube.com/@Stitchingwithcarol
https://www.youtube.com/@mountvicandme
https://www.youtube.com/@PandorasJunkJournals
https://www.youtube.com/@tmyershandmade978
https://www.youtube.com/@dawnmeldrum1267
https://www.youtube.com/@Upcycled.Artistry
https://www.youtube.com/@createandcraftwithchristine
https://www.youtube.com/@SewbitsKristy
https://www.youtube.com/@Sewbecurated
and there are soooo many more - too many to keep adding here.