Greetings, Grimalkins! Alesia here with a post about intentional stitching.
In the spirit of full disclosure, this is information that goes out with every Karma Charms chart. But I realized as I was trying to fall asleep last night (right?) that since “intentional stitching” began before Karma Charms and will likely long outlast them, that the little bit of guidance I have provided about them should also live in its own space here at the Crossing. So here I am in the midst of rebirthing chaos, inserting a quick blog post with that content so everyone can get at it when they need it. Whee!
Without further ado…
If you’re new to intentional stitching and the Karma Charms line…
First, well done you for trying something new! And here’s a secret tip to start you off: You really cannot do this wrong. Isn’t that a huge relief, straight off? However, there are some things you can do, before, during, and after completing the project that have proven to be helpful among our stitchers generally, but they’re not necessary.
Here are a few of the most common ones:
- Before you stitch, take a moment to create some harmony in your space. Tidy it up a bit, put on some music or a show that keeps your attention close to the purpose of your stitching. Watching a horror flick when you’re stitching for inner peace, for instance, tends to be counterproductive. Minimize the potential for distractions, but don’t stress over them.
- The colors in these designs were chosen with one eye toward their symbolic value and the other on harmony. But by all means if a color isn’t working for you or doesn’t seem right to you, CHANGE IT straight away. Let your intuition guide you.
- Here’s the “intentional” part. As you’re stitching, keep the recipient close to your thoughts if you intend it for someone else. If this is a project for you, then keep your goal or end result in mind as your needle pulls the colored flosses through the fabric. Imagine all the good feelings you can muster flowing into the needle, the floss, and the fabric. Think of yourself stitching the future into the present, and your present into the future until they become one.
- Some stitchers whisper the name of the intended, a short phrase or mantra, or a spoken prayer as they stitch. Let us know if this works for you!
- If you become distracted, that’s okay. Everyone does. It’s part of the process. Just turn your thoughts back to your work as soon as you can. No big deal.
- Finish the project in the same mindfulness with which you began it. This is your “Amen” or “So mote it be” moment, where you tell yourself and the whole world that whatever you’ve encapsulated into this work is the new reality. Let yourself feel as sassy or joyful as you like — finishing a project IS a big deal!
- We recommend using colorfast fabrics and flosses when you’re “stitching with intention.” That’s because soaking them in cool water with a bit of detergent (not soap!) added is a GOOD way to remove the oils, dander, dust, and hairs from the project after you’ve put the last stitches in it. This can symbolize removing the stray, unintentional thoughts and feelings that clutter our minds as we stitch despite our best intentions. It also leaves the project as clean energically (spelling, erm, well, “intentional”) as it is physically.
Thanks again for stitching with us!
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