by Arna Cook

Created on: March 02, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Sewing For My Life.

My journey into the sewing world began when I was 12 years old, and my form of sewing is cross-stitch. I remember that my baby sitter at the time got me into it, and from there it has become an obsession.
I am able to take my work with me just about everywhere I go, and when I can, I pull it out and begin my ritualistic stitching. Road trips, weekends away or just a lazy night on the couch, you can find me with needle and thread in hand, making that picture come to life.

My stitching is stress relief. I find that it helps to soothe my mind and help me to not think of the troubles in my life, although it can also help me to justify the obstacles I find in my way. The up and down movement of the needle through my fabric, the criss- crossing of the stitches and the evolution of the picture growing in front of me make the world seem a better place and like my cares and worries are far, far away.
Being somewhat of a non-creative person in other areas of art and craft, my cross stitch is a creative outlet for me. I keep all my patterns and do them over and over again, using different types of threads, beads and colours. This makes each unique and brings different dimensions to them. Being able to adapt a pattern my way and have it actually turn out somewhat acceptable renews my creative drive.
I often suffer bouts of depression and by getting my sewing out; I can bring something comforting into my world. The natural high I get from my developing works can motivate me out of a bad mood and make life in general feel just that little bit better.
As a stay at home mother, I need more adult stimulation, and my cross stitch brings this. Even with the little ones running around, I can still bring it out and keep on with my work. Being challenged while raising children is important, and cross-stitch can certainly provide that challenge.
I also sew so that my children can see that I am passionate about something. When they grow up, I hope that they will have the same enthusiasm and take up cross-stitch too. Hopefully, they will get the same joy from it that I do.
And finally, my sewing is able to put up on our otherwise drab walls, professionally framed and there for all of the world to see. A great feeling to be sure, and is there for me to look at and admire. Seriously, they look amazing up on the walls and I love the feeling of fulfilment and accomplishment having it up on the walls brings. The brightness that something so simple can bring to a room is amazing.
So, I sew to bring calmness and self-fulfilment to my life, to bring brightness to our rooms and to show where my creative talents lie.

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