Okay okay, I know it's already March (where has this year gone already?!), but it's not too late to learn a new craft!

Now is as good a time as any to get your creative hat back on and pick up a new craft. Whether you've tried embroidery before, or you're brand new to it, there's a tonne of reasons why you should get crafty!

The benefits of being creative

Maybe you're already a crafty creative person (like me, it's in my genes!!), or maybe you don't consider yourself capable of doing anything that remotely resembles art. There are a tonne of reasons why being creative is beneficial to you!

1. One of the main reasons I am creative, is because it is a great form of stress relief. In modern day-to-day life, it doesn't take much to become overwhelmed and stressed out, whether it's a bad/long day at work, a busy commute or just general pressure from life. Being creative allows you to take time out to unwind, de-stress and focus on something else for a little while.
2. A second reason, similar to the first, is less screen time. I don't know about you, but I spend a lot of time on my phone. Even more so because it is such a huge part of my job! But, when I'm being creative through embroidery, it's just me and my needle and thread, and no phone in sight! Again, it's another way to unwind from a hectic day, and use my brain for something with my hands (other than my phone!)
3. Being creative is also a self-care outlet. Self-care can be anything from running yourself a bubble bath and lighting candles, to reading a book in your favourite spot. For me, self-care is taking the time to allow my mind to wander whilst being creative, and I feel a tonne better once I've had some me-time!

So, why is embroidery a great way to be creative?

Embroidery is the perfect craft, because as I mentioned above, it is so therapeutic, and it provides well-needed time away from phones and screens. It is also a 'slow craft', in the sense that you're unlikely to sit down and finish a piece from start to finish in one sitting. 

However, whilst that may seem daunting for some, I consider it to be a great way to explore your creativity when you need to pick it up and put it down several times, not to mention you get a great sense of achievement when it's finally finished!

As well as the mindful benefits, there are also financial benefits, in the sense that you don't need to spend a lot of money to get started! Here's an article on some essential supplies needed to start embroidery, but basically, all you need to start are:

• Embroidery hoop
• Embroidery thread
• Needle
• Fabric
• Scissors

Sounds great! Can I learn embroidery easy and quickly as a beginner?

Absolutely!!

Most embroidery patterns, regardless of where you purchase them from, come with some form of stitch guide or instructions to create the pattern for yourself. 

For example, our embroidery patterns come with a comprehensive Beginners Guide, which comes with:

• What you need to get started
• What fabric to use
• How to transfer your pattern
• How to start and end your thread
• How to load, and also back/finish your hoop
• Instructions (with photographs) of the most common stitches used in our patterns

Here are our best-selling Beginner Friendly patterns - click on the pictures below to be taken to each pattern!

If you're a total beginner, and would like to get your hands on everything you need to get started (and more!), then check out our Embroidery Kits.

If you'd love to get started with embroidery, but still don't know where to start, feel free to leave a comment below, or get in touch via email or Instagram!

Happy stitching!