Stitch 'n Dish

Category: Self-Care

  • The benefits of struggle

    The benefits of struggle

    I learned to sew on a Kenmore sewing machine, which I was using up until about 10 years ago when I purchased a Singer model at Joann’s. About a year ago I was offered a great deal on a used Brother sewing machine that had a (basic) embroidery option, which is why I bought it.…

  • A quilting we will go

    A quilting we will go

    My sister and I are signed up to attend another 2-day, “sleep in your own bed” quilting retreat at the end of September. We attended our FIRST one back in March, and had a blast! The same local quilt shop is offering the Fall retreat, so we’ve begun to plan our retreat projects. We’re planning…

  • A question of value(s)

    A question of value(s)

    In today’s blog post we explore overpriced designer handbags, the acrylic vs. natural yarn debate, yarn shop snobbery, and the StevenBe controversy.

  • How Marketing Shapes What We Buy (and Why It Shouldn’t)

    How Marketing Shapes What We Buy (and Why It Shouldn’t)

    In this blog post, I explore how easily fiber‑arts consumers are nudged into buying tools and materials that don’t necessarily improve our craft. From scarcity language to influencer hype, the marketing around “designer” hooks, needles, and boutique yarns often shapes our spending more than actual performance of the items. This post examines what truly matters…

  • Unintended consequences

    Unintended consequences

    If ALL of us do a little, (supporting our local fabric and yarn shops) is not a hard task. It just takes each of us remembering to think of our local fabric and yarn shops, and give them some of our time, attention and (of course), money!

  • A birthday day out

    A birthday day out

    This week was my birthday, and I decided to take the day off and just do things I wanted to do with no time pressure or deadlines. I started the day out to breakfast with my parents, which is always nice. It was a rainy day around here so a day spent traveling to stores…

  • A twist on an old favorite

    A twist on an old favorite

    The great irony I find in all of this is that people often engage in fiber arts for comfort and creative expression. Winding up in a group or space that treats a wonky granny square like a moral failing isn’t what most of those folks were likely seeking.

  • Remembering Joann (and feeling nostalgic)

    Remembering Joann (and feeling nostalgic)

    Last week I found myself wandering aimlessly in a local Michaels store. It is the store in my area that has a pretty decent fabric inventory and sewing support, but I found myself uninspired, unmotivated, and frankly – unhappy. A couple days later I was feeling some sort of “inspiration” (urge?) to craft-shop and thought…

  • Fiber “spice”

    Fiber “spice”

    Today I am taking on the issue of the (sadly, not rare) ANGRY and nasty commenters on social media platforms, specific to fiber arts sites. Part of my shock when I encounter this is likely due to the warm connection I have to crocheting and knitting because my grandmother was the one who got me…

  • A new pause

    A new pause

    I continue to work on managing impulses to shop for entertainment or to alleviate boredom. It’s not easy. I sometimes find myself in a store with an armful of things and then have to stop and ask myself what I’m doing, and why. The good news is that since working on being more intentional, I…