Stitching with Purpose
By Dennise Cardona
Kreinik Mfg., Co., Inc.

Today, we stitch not because we have to, but because we want to -- because we choose to. We stitch because of the pure enjoyment of the whole experience of it. Right? Does that reason make you feel guilty? If it does, you're not alone. There are many stitchers who admit to feeling consumed with guilt because they spend their free time enjoying this great activity rather than scratching items off their to-do lists. However, stitching has a purpose far beyond simply being an indulgence. To overcome this sense of guilt and instead approach stitching with a purposeful spirit, it is important to understand the real reason stitchers indulge in this great activity.

It is important when searching for this purpose to consider what stitching does for you emotionally. How does it make you feel? Some say it makes them feel happy, relaxed, more in touch with their senses. Others stitch to pass time, to relax at the end of a long day, to experience a sense of accomplishment, to tap into their creative sides, to share laughs and good times with other stitchers, or to share themselves through their creations. What is your reason to take a blank canvas and add color and design until a finished piece emerges? Some admit that it is to experience that wonderful sense of accomplishment—being proud of the way a design captures the moment after they breathe life into it. Most would agree that the self-fulfillment experienced after accomplishing such hard work is significant and serves as good reason to pursue needlework. The joy that comes from accomplishing is wonderful. Emotions are contagious and joy is one that people surely don't mind catching.

When you stitch, do you ever find yourself asking, ‘shouldn't I be doing something else’? Why do we impose guilt on ourselves when we indulge in something that has such positive effects? Perhaps we need to step back and ask ourselves just how much has our work touched the lives of people around us. Needlework is an intimate activity, one that gives us the profound ability to place our love directly in the hands of those for whom we care most deeply. When we poke that needle in and out of our canvases, a part of ourselves is imbedded in every stitch. We can create beautiful gifts, ones that carry a value beyond any store-bought item because of the emotions that go into creating them. The sweet reward that comes from giving someone special a project into which you poured your heart and seeing the reaction when she realizes -- hey, she took all this time to create this for me – should make you feel proud, not guilty. A gift of this caliber has the potential to be one of the most relished gifts this person will ever receive because you showed her how important she is to you. The time, talent, and care, which you put into it, will forever be etched in her mind. So before you question whether you should be checking off more items on your daily to-do list, instead, remember the impact your stitching has on those special people in your life.

So, whether you stitch for simple joy, to touch people’s lives, or to share a part of yourself with others, take solace in knowing your reason serves a great purpose. Don’t feel guilty for taking time out for yourself to enjoy your stitching, rather keep in mind, your indulgences become someone else’s treasures, ones that last a lifetime and act as a constant reminder of the love you hold for them. Most important, be proud of your creations and continue to stitch your heart out!