The Importance of Creative Rituals

When I started The Fabled Thread, my goal was never just to sell embroidery kits.

For me, it’s always been about something deeper—a way to help people discover the joy of creating something with their own hands. I believe the magic of sewing lies not just in the beautiful pieces you end up with, but in the process itself. There’s something truly special about those quiet, mindful moments when you’re lost in the act of making.

In a world that often focuses on fast results, I wanted The Fabled Thread to celebrate the slower, more meaningful journey of crafting. It’s not just about what you create—it’s about how you feel while you’re creating it. That’s what makes this experience so unique, and it’s the reason I believe so strongly in what we do.

I first started stitching in 2018. I had moved into a new role working in finance and it was intense, to say the least. I was looking for a way to switch off, something to help me relax – I am not a runner (or really much of a natural exerciser at all), and for the life of me, I cannot meditate. Believe me, I have tried.

For years, prior to picking up a needle, I had dabbled in art classes. I tried everything from drawing, to sculpture, to printmaking, to painting, to ceramics – the issue I found is that for the latter, you need materials and space. You can’t get all your painting things out for just 15 minutes of it. The only one that could be picked up and put down was drawing, but when you are as inconsistent as I am, it can be pretty demoralising. Drawing needed rigour and routine (if you want to make something true-to-life, that is, which now, thankfully, I am totally over trying to do!).

Embroidery and needlepoint gave me the solution I was looking for – you don’t need lots of materials, you don’t need lots of time, you don’t need lots of space, and importantly, you don’t need lots of skill. From day one, I could start making something I was proud of. Sewing became my salvation – half an hour a day where my hands were physically restrained from looking at my phone or checking my emails. It gave me the rare opportunity to unplug and just be. It’s in those moments that I found a real sense of calm. There was no rush, no pressure—just me and the process. It also taught me patience. In a hectic world where we are constantly being bombarded with distractions and notifications, embroidery requires focus and reminds us that good things take time. And when you finish a piece, that feeling of accomplishment is something you can hold onto, especially when life feels chaotic.

I noticed that since I started making time for slow, mindful activities like embroidery, I felt more balanced and grounded. Whilst it may sound overdramatic, it changed my life. That is the reason I left the city with only a year’s sewing experience under my belt – that passion to show other people the power of this small and unassuming craft. That’s why we don’t, and will never, sell finished pieces. It’s why I try to find ways to get you to make every single part of the finished framed artwork. For me, it’s never been about the finished piece, it’s always been the joy in the journey.

Whilst I found my outlet through stitching (with some ongoing dabbling in a million other crafts), I know it’s not for everyone. However, I do believe every single person would benefit from finding their own creative outlet – if you’ve found your way to this article, then I have no doubt that you are creative. So, if you haven’t found your outlet yet, it’s only a matter of time!

Having a creative ritual isn’t just about making time for art—it’s about creating a space for mindfulness—it’s a form of self-care! In a world full of constant distractions, dedicating regular moments to creativity can feel like a grounding force. Creative rituals offer a chance to focus, a moment to yourself, and an opportunity to engage in a process that is both calming and rewarding. When we build these rituals into our lives, we create a sense of continuity, where the act of making becomes a habit that nurtures both our well-being and our creativity. Whether it’s a few stitches before bed, a longer weekend project, or even, in a particularly stressful week, a few stitches before work—these rituals allow us to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with ourselves through the joy of making.

Building a creative habit isn’t always easy. Even for someone like me, who lives and breathes creativity, and who up-ended my life for the love of sewing, there are days when it feels easier to scroll through Instagram than to pick up a needle. But like any good habit, once you get started and if you are disciplined about it, the rewards are undeniable.

It's a bit like going for a run, reading a book, starting to cook, learning a language... Like sticking to any new routine, it can feel daunting and hard work at first, but once you’re in the flow, it’s incredibly satisfying. The challenge is getting over that initial hurdle of thinking you don’t have time, or that it’s too difficult. So, I think the important thing is to make it feel like a treat, and to make others in your life know it’s important to you.

For me, my creative ritual looks a little like this… Once I get home from work, and before supper, I pour myself a drink – something as simple as elderflower and sparkling water, get a few little nibbles, light a candle, put on some music (invariably Frazey Ford or KD Lang), and sit in my comfy chair for 20 minutes. My phone stays outside the room, and my husband knows to leave me alone. It feels luxurious… a little bit decadent. But it has the magical effect of switching me from work mode into a more present, more relaxed state of mind.

Whatever your ritual looks like, once you find it, it can become something you look forward to, something that adds real joy and meaning to your life. And that’s what I hope our kits help people discover— they feel a little luxurious because I want to show you that making time for creativity is always worth it.

Building a creative habit takes some intention, but there are little things you can do to make it easier and more enjoyable. Here are a few tips that I’ve found really help:

1. Set up a peaceful space: Find a spot in your home where you can relax and focus. It doesn’t need to be fancy, but having a dedicated space, even just a quiet corner, can make all the difference. Consider lighting a candle or putting on some music to create a calm atmosphere.
2. Listen to an audiobook or podcast: Sometimes, crafting pairs beautifully with a good story. If I find I am particularly distracted or stressed, then I always opt for an audiobook over music, as I need something that will fully absorb my attention. I’m particularly fond of thrillers or a good who-dun-it—something with enough pace and excitement that keeps my mind from wandering. A good story makes the time fly and turns your creative time into something even more enjoyable.
3. Set small, manageable goals: Don’t pressure yourself to complete an entire project in one sitting. Break it down into small steps, like just stitching one length of thread or finishing one small area of a design. You’ll find it easier to get started if you’re not overwhelmed by the whole task. It’s also why I really try to avoid sewing to a deadline—deadlines have a remarkable way of making a patient and gentle craft feel intense and stressful!
4. Make it part of your routine: Try to carve out regular time for crafting, even if it’s just 10 minutes a day. Whether it’s a morning ritual or a way to unwind in the evening, consistency helps turn creativity into a habit.
5. Embrace the process, not perfection: As my granny says, “Never unpick anything.” Enjoy the process, embrace the imperfections, and don’t worry about making it flawless. The more you enjoy the act of making, the more likely you are to stick with it.
6. Treat it like self-care: Just as you’d make time for exercise or meditation, think of crafting as a form of self-care. It’s your time to disconnect, relax, and recharge. When you frame it this way, it becomes easier to prioritise and to explain to others in your life why it’s important to you!

However, that requirement for perfection, that demand for results, can sap the joy out of creativity. So many of us get caught up in the idea that everything we make has to be flawless, but that pressure can become a burden. We set ourselves time limits and mammoth projects—it’s how we’ve been raised! However, crafting, in all its forms, isn’t about getting everything right—in fact, you have to get a few things wrong if you’re ever going to improve! Crafting is about enjoying the act of making.

A mantra that I live by comes from my 101-year-old granny, who still stitches every day. Her advice? "Never unpick anything." She always says there’s not much you can’t fix by either ignoring it or stitching over the top of it. It’s such a simple but powerful approach to life and creativity. When we stop worrying about making everything perfect, we allow ourselves to enjoy the journey and be more forgiving of our mistakes.

I think of her every time I feel tempted to “fix” something in my own projects. There’s such freedom in allowing a project to evolve naturally and knowing that it doesn’t need to be perfect to be beautiful, and in reality, no one else knows what this “perfect” is that I’m striving for. Perfectionism can hold us back, but when we let go of it, we give ourselves the space to truly enjoy the process and to create with joy.

What I love most about The Fabled Thread is how it’s helped people—especially those who never considered themselves creative—find a new passion. So many of our customers are women who’ve spent their lives working in non-creative jobs or have been told they’re “not creative” at all. For years, they may not have had the chance to explore this side of themselves. But now, they’re discovering the joy of creating something with their hands, and it’s transformative.

I think there’s a misconception that creativity is something you either have or you don’t. But what I’ve learned, and what I hope others come to realise, is that creativity is for everyone. It’s not about being perfect or producing something flawless—it’s about finding joy in the process. And for many of our customers, that discovery has been life-changing. It’s given them a new sense of purpose, a creative outlet they didn’t know they were missing.

This is what drives me and the team—this is why we work so hard, why we take on so much—because we get to hear the impact it has, and we just want to do more. Reach more people, show more people, empower everyone to find their own creative moment and feel that pride that only comes from creativity!

So please, share your progress, share your insecurities, share your victories—know it’s quite intimidating, and it’s not silly to feel like that. The joy is in the making, and I can’t wait to see where it takes you.