One of the most important and joyous parts, for me, of having an online space is the community that forms. Since the very early days of being part of Instagram (in the good ‘olden’ days, about 11+ years ago) the community was the prime reason for the app and for me being there. Wow. So wonderful.

Now the app is still about that, in a sense (but also not, in another sense). But what has evolved over the past years of sharing, being, connecting is the try goodness and wonderful aspect of this online world. We’re reaching out to find our creative friends. Imagine being able to stitch, laugh, share with those on the other side of the planet at the same ‘internet’ table. That’s the part I love.

This past 2 months I’ve been hosting the Stitch Circle Community. I must admit it sort of started, as many of my ventures do, in a ramshackle ‘just start’ way. Which is the way I work personally and professionally. And has worked for me over the many years (there’s also been a lot of ‘learning’ and mistakes.. but that’s the journey too).

The Stitch Circle was borne out of us all sitting at home alone, at me having to cancel, stop, quit in-person workshops. And missing dreadfully that much-needed community, conversation, connection. Don’t tell my family, but teaching workshops was my magic way of spending time with the inspiring creative people. (How wonderful that it also meant I can earn an income and support my family).

So, we’ve been gathering online - with almost 400 people from all around the world. We’ve stitched, learned, shared, inspired, shown off our makes. Inside our special online community space (which is not on social media at all, and makes for the best of the webs sites).

I wanted to take some of these pieces of hand stitched art that are being shared in our private community group, and share them wider. Because I find some intricate pleasure in looking at these works and hearing the story of fabrics, the process, the making…

Let’s start. Here’s a few pieces shared by some of the Stitch Circle Community creatives:

Kerri
Instagram: @flickflauderbees
Silk Pouch: cocktail dress
Left overs from bygone silk ribbon embroidery days, lined in linen.
Stitched slowly and enjoyably. Grateful for Ellie’s lovely guidance in our wonderful September stitch community.

Jane
Instagram: @creatingjane
This is a work in progress that will become a book pouch.

I am so in love with the vintage upholstery fabric. The 'love' embroidery piece is my first attempt at embroidering a word, and I used a little piece of my favourite pink bed sheet from growing up. Oh, and I am addicted to seed stitch!! My other favourite thing to do at the moment is pull thread from the edge of the fabric I am working with and backstitch it back on the fabric, as can be seen from the rambling swirly threads on my pouch.

Since joining the stitch community I have learnt so much and am engaging with stitchers from all over the world. What a joyful place to be.

The Stitch Circle Community is an online space created for makers, crafters, artists, fabric lovers, textile explorers who are especially interested in hand stitching, slow stitch work and delving into the delights of creative community. We have a dedicated online space to share, converse, inspire - perhaps you’d like to join. You get lots of beautiful value for only $9AU a month - all the details are here.