For you needle artists out there,
Marna Lunt (Thread Therapy) in northern UK created a unique challenge for the month of February. #Threaduary was created because February, for her, has traditionally been a difficult month to get through. By focusing on a project each day during what is historically a dreary month (at least in the Western Hemisphere), she has sustained her emotional well-being and resilience. She writes, "The message of making to help ease mental health is very important to me. It has been my savior on many occasions."
The first year, Marna created a series of embroidered flowers. This year, she has chosen to complete a mini portrait of a great writer each day. As this is a visual endeavor, use the hashtag
#threaduary on Instagram to view and support the thread artists, to "encourage each other and send lovely positive vibes out into the world."
If you have no experience in hand embroidery, Marna offers a free 30-day online embroidery course if you sign up for her newsletters. She also offers sewing retreats and workshops. She holds an exquisite collage lampshade course!
Thread artist, Elizabeth, "
Sew In Love Stitch Art," has some recommendations for those eager to create: "You don’t have to be highly gifted or talented in design to be able to produce worthwhile stitched projects and you don’t need any special abilities or ‘leanings’. Anyone with the manual dexterity to hold a needle can embroider, but it does make sense to start small and simple. Try a few stitches on some scrap fabric, a small kit or a taught workshop. Have a look in your local library for books and online for other sources of basic information. By all means visit any specialist shops or retail shows you can get to, but don’t invest a lot of money in expensive materials and equipment until you’re sure this is an art form for you."
What you need to do to survive February:
- Follow #threaduary on Instagram
- Commit to a regular creative practice (I love this one!)
- Try a few stitches on some scrap fabric
- Enroll in an online stitch course or workshop
- Check out embroidery or stitch books in your public library
- Investigate and visit local specialty shops where you live
- Attend a neighborhood group and discuss your ideas and show off your creations!
