With all these extra hours spent at home, it’s an excellent time to take up a craft and reap all the rewards that come from making things with your hands. To inspire us we spoke with Christine Leech, a creative with a flair for crafting some homespun hygge. Here she shares how her embroidery and craft skills can bestow some meditative “me time” as well as the pleasure and benefits that comes with building a community around your craft.
What was your first introduction to sewing and crafting?
I have a very crafty family and we were always making things as children. I remember my nan teaching me to hand stitch a hemmed handkerchief when I was around four years old. It was for a local craft competition in our village, which I won. That’s probably when I got bitten by the bug! Mum taught me to use her sewing machine to make clothes when I was around ten. I began customising my school uniform and have been making clothes ever since.
What do you love most about your work?
I love the problem solving aspect of it as much as the calm it induces when I start stitching. I get so excited when I come up with a new design. When it's something more technical like my 3D hare or reindeer ornaments, I really enjoy the challenge of designing all the separate template pieces in a way that makes it easy for others to construct. I always try to create colourful, uplifting and joyful designs that cheer people up and give them a sense of achievement when they are making them.
Link to Huxley the hare
What is your favourite season for crafts?
Oh this is a good question. I feel I should say Christmas as that is the time when nearly everyone gets a little bit crafty, and there are so many simple projects that everyone can have a go at. But I do also like Spring and Easter. Maybe it’s the brighter colour palettes and abundance of florals that start to cheer me up after a dark winter. The extra daylight also means I can see my stitches a bit better!
Tell us some of your favourite things to make in the colder months?
As it gets colder, I tend to look for jumpers in charity shops that I can turn into a more festive version of themselves or cut up and make into gifts such as wrist warmers, hot water bottle cases and lavender bags.
The days are short and the weather is chilly-what’s the scene like in your home?
I tend to end up with a little nest on the sofa, with a big blanket surrounded by trays filled with the different embroidery projects I have on the go. The fairy lights have been on since the clocks went back and there’s probably a candle or two flickering away. Although I have to have a bright light to help me see my embroidery, which slightly ruins the cosiness! Slowly the house is filling up with Christmas projects that I am preparing for markets and making as gifts.
You run a sewing social club. Can you tell us a bit about sharing your hobby with others?
During lockdown I started an online embroidery community, where every Friday I would run a ‘Live Make-Along’ where my followers and I could all get together virtually to connect, chat and do a bit of stitching too. I started designing projects that people could purchase as digital downloads and I loved seeing all the different ways people would interpret my designs and the various colour palettes they chose. I am currently launching the Sewyeah Social Club Subscription Service, where each month members will receive a new embroidery pattern to make and we will get together via Zoom for a virtual club night. I think it’s going to be so much fun.
LINK: https://www.sewyeahsocialclub.com/subscription-service
Is there one thing that you think everyone should learn to sew to bring a little joy?
My favourite stitch is called a whipped back stitch. It's something that looks so impressive but is actually really easy. It's perfect for Christmas as it looks like candy canes.
We really enjoyed learning about Christine’s craft. If it’s inspired you to take some solace in sewing this winter you can find out more on her website.
