Watching an Idea Grow – And Become a Class

Sometimes an idea starts quietly.

You make something because you have an image in your head, or a piece of fabric you want to use, or simply because you feel like sitting down and seeing what happens.

That is how Come sit with me began. I was simply enjoying the process of putting together those little pieces of fabric, lace, stitching and embellishment and watching the scroll slowly take shape.

I have really loved working on it. There is something about the format that feels very freeing – there is room to play with composition, to add a little stitching here, a button there, a piece of ribbon or lace, and to let the materials have a say in where the piece goes.

All of a sudden, with all the enjoyment in mind, Come sit with me grew into a kit.

I spent the last little while getting all the pieces together. The instructions are written and printed. I printed the designs onto Rinse Away, made labels, cut the fabrics, gathered the threads and ribbons and buttons, and put everything together in lovely little boxes.

It has been one of those studio jobs where there are suddenly lots of small piles everywhere — and then, slowly, they become something.

For now, I have put together a small number of kits in red and light blue, yellow and green.

And because I can’t seem to leave a good idea alone, Come sit with me is becoming a class too.

I have decided to teach a live, in-studio class on November 7 in my NW Calgary studio. Space will be limited to just five people, so it will be a small, relaxed day of making together.

There is something lovely about making together in the same room, so I want this to be a day of playing with the fabrics, ribbons, words and embellishments and discovering where your own scroll wants to go.

We’ll talk about composition, how the different pieces work together, and the many ways you can stitch and embellish your scroll. But there won’t be a prescribed way to make it. I want each one to become your own.

If you would like to spend a day in the studio with me, making, stitching and playing with Come sit with me, I would love to have you join me on November 7.

I love when something grows this way. There wasn’t really a plan. There was just a piece of fabric, some ideas, a needle and thread, and the pleasure of making.

And now, somehow, that little idea has become a scroll, a kit, and a class. I wonder where it will go next.

I hope you will join me on November 7th for some relaxing stitching.

A note for my US friends:

At this time, I am not shipping orders to the United States due to the current tariffs and the complications they create for small businesses.

If you live in the US and see something in my shop that you are interested in, please feel free to contact me by email before placing an order and we can discuss the possibilities. Thank you for understanding.

Thanks for reading. Until I write again …

Ana