Oh my goodness me Kathryn, so many lessons in one exercise. It took me back to my school days, when in our office practice class, we were told that we would be blindfolded in order to learn to touch type (without looking at the keys). The teacher (Miss Witherspoon) explained that we would be able to read transcripts and type at the same time. Everyone looked at each other in horror, fear and amusement, the amusement from me particularly, as I was sure she was pulling our legs and couldn't see how we would ever be able to do what she saying. Needless to say, we made many mistakes along the way and our little fingers had to learn to work more efficiently in order to reach certain keys. After a time, our brains rewired, we learned new skills, we adapted, we found a way forward and most importantly, we succeeded, building confidence and facing challenges, whilst facing our fears. Great video Kathryn, it brought back so many memories, whilst making me think about how as I grow older, I need to adapt to changes, rather than fear them, or worse still, just freeze. Xxx
I never learnt to touch type unfortunately but have taught myself to knit without looking, whilst watching TV for example. Like you say, it just requires a little mental rewiring. ♥️
I learned to touch type, but I could never play piano without looking. It drove my teacher crazy. I had to memorized the written music so I could look at my hands.
Another fascinating episode, Kathryn. I’ll definitely be trying this. Before you took off your blindfold you said that you knew you wouldn’t have created a masterpiece - wasn’t that you prejudging the piece on the basis of your unconscious sight bias? Now, given this was your first attempt, it’s unlikely you’d create a masterpiece but with time and effort … This exercise is a great opportunity, as you say, to truly stitch mindfully. Thanks for encouraging us. And shout out to Yvonne and all the other visually challenged stitchers in the community. ❤
@ I agree. The purpose is most definitely the process - and the learning you get from it. I’m off to find a sleeping mask someone gave me (no idea why) for Christmas last year.
I was a bit anxious about this one! In the end I decided to do this page without my glasses. I watched you at the same time so you were blurry as well 😉🙃
Thank you Kathryn (and Yvonne) for this difficult exercise. I got anxious just reading the word "blindfall". I was anxious during the whole video but I wanted to understand my feelings and continue to watch you. I know that I can't do this experiment, but it's a lesson for me to understand my own feelings and how others cope with physical limitations and enjoy life. Stitching is a source of joy for everyone who loves the craft. ❤
Fascinating exercise. I think you did great. I’m not sure I could have stood the cloth over my eyes as long as you did. You are a patient, focused, and intrepid sewer. Kudos!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you Judith, I don't think I could have done it even ten years ago. And certainly my teachers at school would have been astounded to hear me described as patient and focused. I must thank slowstitch for teaching me that. ❤️
I love slow stitch. I have mild stage alzheimer's disease and make mistakes often. I have a rule for myself not to undo my mistakes. I still mostly always love the results. Stitching brings me peace. ❤ Thank you for pushing through your hard days and whittering on. You are an inspiration. ❤
I understand how my diminishing intellect affects so much of my life in a frustrating way, but with slow stitching in the manner of K3N, I believe there are no "mistakes" and I am more content with my work than ever before. It's a new avenue of creative expression that just feels so darned good. Carry on making beautiful, interesting mistakes.
This tutorial carries so much food for thought, K3N. Having had glaucoma for over 2 decades, I often practice moving about my home, eyes closed. I've never admitted even to myself that I am preparing for the possibility of blindness. It's just another way of sensing my environment and appreciating all of my abilities. I am going to enjoy, and learn much by doing this exercise. Thanks so much for your clever ingenuity. Yes, it's often emotional to deeply explore a moment's sensation.
Hugs to you Ann, I am so sorry. And I am learning more and more to allow and embrace all the emotions, even the upsetting ones. I feel that I have been on a huge steep learning curve over the last few months.. but it's so good for growth and self awareness. Much love ❤️
Thank you so much Kathryn. This video was so moving. I did not use a blindfold as I was watching you so intensely. The way you searched for your threads etc and applied them to your piece was mesmerizing. You truly are the most amazing creative with the ability to engage and inspire ❤️
When I read your title for today's stitching tutorial I laughed... but then I thought about the practicality of the exercise... if I can't sleep at night, rather than go to my craft room and turn on a light, I should try stitching in the dark. Stitching is meditative and restful and brings peace of mind. Will definitely give this a go... ❤ thank you for the philosophical wittering. Great lesson, perfect quote, intriguing outcome 😊❤
To my surprise, I used the edge of my upper lip to distinguish my thread differences, as well as identifying my bits of fabric I had set up for the project. More sensitive than my rougher less sensitive fingertips. 🤔 A pleasant surprise !
I think that's very interesting and I am reminded of how when we are babies, we explore objects by putting them in our mouths, until grown ups tell us not to. ❤️
"From the curious mind of K3N ". . . Absolutely a fabulous journey of the minds' eye and the feel of the hand. Kathryn you never cease to amaze me. Great video for more thought. Also, thank you to your blind friend that you spoke with. 💙💚💛
Oh this is just fabulous! what a wonderful exploration. I have to say I agree entirely with Bev - you've done this with compassion and empathy and sensitivity - because I would have missed it out as well if it wasn't with you. But we know you don't turn things to advantage - we have so many episodes to prove it, with kawandi, boro, indian inspired embroidery, etc and etc. I do feel I take a very great many things for granted, thank you so much for the reminder. (And when you were looking for your word, I shouted 'QUANTIFY!' in my head because of course you can hear us always lol!! 😂💚💚💚
Well that was a very interesting experiment. I applaud your sensitivity, Kathryn, to those in the community who have vision challenges or are fully blind, and I feel all the more respect for their being able to stitch in those circumstances. I wasn't surprised to find that my piece was a mess: huge, chaotic stitches, crumpled pieces of fabric despite my efforts to keep them flat, threads coming out of needles... The one thing I managed was arranging the pile of fabrics, the pin cushion with threaded, knotted cotton, and my scissors - and keeping them within easy reach. Like someone else here, I didn't blindfold myself, but steadfastly watched you with my piece well beyond my peripheral vision. A salutary lesson not to take my eyes for granted. My thanks also to Yvonne for inspiring and helping you. ❤
I’m lost for words Kathryn - you demonstrated stitching without sight so well and left me feeling so humbled by the experience of just watching you. I will definitely give it a go. X
I am looking forward to doing this project. I will need to be very careful as I regularly stick needles into my self . The need to concentrate on process rather then worry about product This reminds me of when I was working with people with dementia trying to get staff to understand this concept, and that their role was to support people and not to take over. I wish I had known about this exercise then. It would have got the message across better then the training they were given.
We are most of us goal oriented aren't we? It's in our DNA and in our conditioning. It's a difficult journey to teach ourselves to be process focused but I believe it's important in all aspects of our lives. Please be careful not to use yourself as a pin cushion though 😁❤️
I think that if almost anyone other than you, Kathryn, had posted a video with this title I would probably have given it a miss. But I knew we could trust you to handle the subject with empathy, sensitivity and grace, rather than, as you said, making it into a gimmick. I haven’t tried the exercise myself yet but watching you work made me realise anew just how much I take for granted, but also how much it is possible to miss by not keeping all the senses alert. Thank you for another mind-opening concept. I’m looking forward to the videos about eco-dying. Thank you for your generosity in making these tutorials freely available. I’ve been trying to learn about mordanting but so far it feels like I’d need to go to Hogwarts to get a good understanding 🤦🏻♀️😂❤️
WOW Kathryn! I would have thought without sight the world of stitching was unaccessible . What an inspiring perspective from Yvonne and much food for thought. Serves to remind us all...life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful. PS you are a world class witterer xx
Kathryn, I do read all the comments, it’s very interesting to me to learn how others relate to your stitching. Everyone seems to have unique ideas of the process and the end result. I’ve learned so much from watching you stitch and listening to your wittering. Whenever I try to walk around my home in the dark I inevitably walk into something so I try not to walk in total darkness.
I haven’t done last week yet but that one and this are going to be so fun. I am legally blind without my contacts so have some knowledge of sight issues. My fingers have peripheral neuropathy from chemo so are numb. I am really looking forward to seeing what happens! Maybe I need to film some of mine - to see it afterwards. I wouldn’t want to put mine in an envelope!
Hi Carolyn, I agree, it would be hard to not look at the results! I cannot feel the needle or thread due to an unknown cause of 3 numb fingers on both hands. I think this would be an interesting challenge, but I am up for it. 😊 I never want to give up on stitching. I am grateful I have decent vision with good glasses. Happy Stitching!🙂
@@HappyBird105 it is a weird feeling a torching and not feeling needles and thread properly. I have gotten used to it. My last 4 chemo doses were cancelled as I was dropping said needle. Still had 12 doses. On chemo I threaded basted over 4,000 inch hexagons and am making a long sized quilt out of them.
Access to a previously unaccessible world. Gave my stitching new meaning. Found doing multiple rather than single stitches easier to control. The more textured the fabric the easier it was to control. Also my left thumb did lots of guiding. If pieces bigger than background it was v difficult to judge placement. Managing thread was difficult. I did get one knot but managed to manhandle it through fabric! I used fleece, felt, twine, silk strip and silk ribbon and piece of Irish crochet.
So great to read your insights into your stitching Breda. It really gives perspective on how we actually engineer the stitching and the cloth and I wonder if what we learn will change how we work going forward, those of us who have our sight ❤️
Interesting session. My grandmother and aunt were both blinded later in life by diabetes. Your touching the fibers was so much like how they touched things. It made me remember 60 years ago watching my grandmother use both hands to count the holes on her black desk top telephone dial to make a call. The patience she had! I’m so enjoying these ideas you’ve come up with. Be kind to yourself and have a fabulous day.
Hiya K3n. Well I've just finished mine and I have to say, that was a challenge! I didn't use a blindfold but just shut my eyes, I didn't think I was going to get through it without peeking but I persisted and finished my piece. Some loose stitches and an upside down heart! But I did it. Thankyou for the tutorials you put up. I look forward to each and every one of them.
I found a great quote for this. I’m not sure of the provenance, but a French chap in the 1930’s - Henri Fusion??? The hand is the organ of thought. The most delicate harmonies evoking the secret springs of our imagination and sensibility take form by the hand’s action as it works in matter. It is the hands, not the eye, that investigates surfaces, volume, density and weight. I got it from a RUclips clip called The Poetics of Textiles posted under the name Maiwa. I thought of you and your philosophy all the way through.
I agree that when one sense closes, the others become more aware, more vibrant. Very interesting exercise that I will try when next I’m feeling adventurous ❤
Hi Kathryn, This is fab! …and not only because I squealed out-loud when I saw that you and I have the same (thrifted) tray! 🤭Mine’s got a little bit faded over the years, from having been used outside, but It’s still my favourite. I noticed recently that you had begun to distinguish between the majority sighted audience members and those that may be sight impaired, and I guessed that you might have some viewers in the latter category. I remember finding and watching a British RUclipsr called The Blind Woodturner some years ago and watching, with fascination at what he was able to achieve. It’s quite incredible, not least because he still had all of his fingers!! If I remember correctly, he wasn’t blind from birth. As with a lot of things, it’s perhaps easier on the brain if you haven’t ever known any different, because you are not having to adapt while also mourning your former way of doing things. A lot of the frustrations and tension that you were feeling while working on the piece was your brain having a tantrum about having to get off it’s backside and create new neural pathways for this new scenario. It’s not that the brain is lazy, it’s that it consumes a massive amount of calories when it needs to create new connections & pathways, which is why learning or doing something different often seems exhausting. Doing anything that’s new , or breaking an old habit, is frustrating for this precise reason. It’s like it’s saying, “Are you really sure that you want me to make these new neural pathways? Let’s find out. Here’s an unpleasant emotion, which usually has the effect of separating the wheat from the chaff” Practice is about proving intent. If you keep doing something, usually 21 times, your brain will have got the message and the new neural pathway will have formed. At this point you can relax more, because the new connection allows you to do the thing on autopilot. What I think is most moving about this video is that you have shown the ultimate in compassion towards your blind & visually impaired audience members because you have been willing to “walk a mile in their shoes” and demonstrate to your sighted viewers the diversity of people that can enjoy Slowstitch, where they might otherwise feel excluded from participating, if they didn’t feel able to execute more complex embroidery stitches, or, they are someone who has lost their sight later in life after having enjoyed needlework throughout their lives before losing their vision. Slowstitch, due to its simplicity is, I think, accessible, in ways that other needlework techniques might not be. I also believe that, in taking the walk, you will have enhanced your teaching skills in the process, because you’ve experienced another perspective. ❤
Thank you so much for such a thoughtful message.. I meant to mention Gertrude Jekyll ( I forgot because of having to concentrate on what I was doing more than usual. I was inspired by her when I studied garden design not only because I loved her planting style but also because when her sight deteriorated too much to be able to paint anymore, she turned to gardening and 'painted' with plants instead. The power of human creativity, that finds a way. I am also very inspired by those here in our slowstitch community who are , let's say differently abled in a myriad of ways but have made the commitment to their creativity and find ways to express themselves through their own process. Very interesting what you say about the new neural pathways, I was indeed very tired after filming and hadn't really realised why. ❤️
I found this really interesting. Many thanks to you and to Yvonne. While there were some frustrating moments, I found the process much more mindful than my usual stitching. While I wouldn't choose to stitch blindfolded normally, it may be something I would do again when I need to stop overthinking. Interesting.
Hi Kathryn, Thinking of doing this 52 weeks next year and just following it at my own leisure this year I have just watched the videos in awe of your stitching ideas etc. Looking forward to seeing the ecco dyeing I am really interested in it and have been for a few years. Always nice to get some tips and tricks. Thank you for making it a freebie too.
Fascinating! I was on the edge of my seat with each stitch you took. I learned a lot from this exercise and am going to try it myself. You never cease to amaze. ❤ Thank you!
What a neat idea, k3n! I am visiting family right now, and it's wonderfully busy, so I will wait to do this until I am back home so I can give it my full attention. It has had another immediate benefit, however, because the brother I am visiting is an animator and also teaches animation at the university here. He was very interested to hear about this unsighted stitching and is excited to explore and muse about doing an activity or two with his students that involves doing a work and not seeing the results immediately. He is so creative, so I'm sure he and his students will have a terrific time with whatever he comes up with. Thanks from both of us! Also, btw, I have been very much looking forward to the ecoprining; and my sister-in-law, also an animator, may very well also be keen to try it while I'm here, as we just did some sun printing together on the weekend. So much coolness, Kathryn.
How wonderful Kate, I would love to hear about what he comes up with. Ecoprinting part one is filmed and will be up on Wednesday morning, part two on Friday ❤️
Kathryn, I thought you were going to say, put it in an envelope and post it to a stitching friend and vice versa. Eco printing a la Kathryn, yaaaaaaaaaaaay! ❣🦋
I love this! I cannot remember what it was, but I giggled a bit once when you talked about what you were doing and it was not that at all! I wasn't making fun of you, but recognized how much I think I am doing one thing and it does not turn out that way! My grandpa's sister lived to over 100, had macular degeneration and ended up blind. She had been an artist all of her life. My mother's album of childhood things had quite a few of the cards and Christmas decorations she had sent from Norway back in the early part of the 20th century. She eventually lived in an old-folks home, but it was not what I knew from here in the States. They had a loom that they would set up and she spent time weaving. Those things she learned when she was sighted were so automatic that her work was meticulous! I have a placemat she wove - pinks and purples in plaid! Staff would set up the warp, but she chose the colors! Because of that, I definitely want to do this! And, I knew a guy who was a body and fender man... he repaired wrecked cars. He said he had become very sensitive to dents you could not see. I've kind of tested myself over the years, guessing what something was. I have a feeling that my results will give me a real laugh! I might need to record it just so I can see what my thinking was while I do it! Have a wonderful week!!!
How wonderful to stitch blind in tribute to your great aunt, she sounds wonderful. If I ever end up in an old folks home I hope it is the kind with things like looms ❤️
@@k3n.clothtales Yes! I don't think I will be moving to Norway when I am ready for that kind of thing - plus I have done very little weaving in my life! LOL! I guess we will have to come up with some simple and easy to contain things for the possibility! I have a feeling that even needles will be confiscated if we cannot see... Sharp scissors might be a problem, too, along with my stash, which still has scraps from the early 70s! Talking grands into sneaking in fun things to do will have to go on my list of things I need! LOL!
Haven't watched, or listened to this episode yet because I got home and started watching About Time while I still can on Netflix. Not sure which of your videos you mentioned it... the sensory one no doubt... but wanted to say thank you for reminding me of this fabulous film. Yet another reason, of dozens, why I so enjoy your sharings and am so grateful that I found you at the start of this year. Thank you thank you.
Great challenge. I have bitten the bullet and tucked mine in an envelope...hopefully I won't be tempted to open it in the next ten minutes. I am thinking to set myself a date and do the deed then...I actually suggested that on the FB group so it will be interesting to see if anyone else thinks it could be an option. Enjoy the rest of your week. Hugs
Interesting idea Maureen, also I wonder if when the time comes you will be able to NOT open it, if you see what I mean. Maybe your curiosity about the end result will have waned? 🥰❤️
How very blessed and fortunate we are to have our sight. I have had bad eyesight since 2nd grade (I am 63 now), thank heavens for glasses and eye doctors. I've always said I would sew until I couldn't see - but now I can still continue! Thank you dear Katherine. P.S. I fail at meditation as I have ADHD and am too hyper for it. If you find a great technique, let me know, I've attempted several.
I cannot believe how enjoyable this was to experience. I liked the result as well. What did surprised me was after having a very dark scarf on to hide my eyes how bright it was when I took it off. My brain felt bombarded with light and colour ❤❤
Count me as one of the initially reluctant for blindfolded stitching. But my loyalty to your inspiration and my stitch journal nudged me into it. And I'm glad of it. Many years ago in an art class I made a sculpture of my own head working blind under a box. What emerged was spontaneously lively and unexpectedly accurate. What I'm seeing in my own and others' little stitchings is also spontaneous and somehow free of the constraints that sight puts on our pursuit of "perfection". Should I close my eyes more often as I create?
Thank you so much for your trust Sara. Your head sculpture sounds fascinating, yes I think a little eye closing every now and then could be no bad thing. ❤️
This one really surprised me. I must say that I feel very, very uncomfortable in dark places or with the idea that I can’t see. The first thing I do when I wake up is to open all the blinds, because I hate being in the dark, so I honestly wouldn’t feel comfortable doing this. That being said, a big applause to you and to those who can do it. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the process, but I think I can only enjoy the process if I can see it. We’re all different, isn’t it? Anyway, as always, it was a pleasure to have watched your video. Have a wonderful day, you and Stella and Fredfred of course 😊♥️🧡🤎💙💚💛🩶🩷💜🩵❤️
Such a meditative video, serene. Thank you for doing this exercise with us. You are very brave. not only to try it but to try it with us in full view. The outcome is stunning. I have lost ever so small a portion of my central eyesight in one eye making it difficult to do things with fine detail. Sometimes I stress about it happening in the other eye but now having seen this I don't need to worry. I love the quote as well. Thank you for sharing your artistic talents with us. 🌷
It is a bit scary Tineke but I am sure you can do it. If being blindfolded is too much, you can just close your eyes then you will feel more in control. ❤️
Your finished piece looks surprisingly good - i really like it! Seems quite a courageous thing to do - will i have the courage 🤔 regardless fascinating video Kathryn ❤ Eco printing will be brilliant - ì just found a book on Thursday with a collection of projects graded in difficulty so very excited to see those coming videos ❤😊❤
This has been my favorite videos by far to watch. I think every child in school should have to do this. I did chuckle when you thought you were cutting your thread and it was nothing but air. Just so absolutely fascinating. I also laughed when you were talking about walking at night in the house. I have times I get up at night to use the bathroom and I don’t know why but I keep my eyes shut tight. I feel like if they’re open I strain to see where I can’t, so instead, I use my hands. Should we discuss how many toenails I’ve actually had fall off due to this way of walking at night? Now I have a salt lamp on at all times.😂 Beautiful video and thank you so much for all you do for us
I do love you Jude but I am not sure I want to discuss your lost toe nails 😱😂. I am so pleased you appreciated this video. Yes, missing the thread with the scissors was quite the highlight. ❤️
I found this piece both moving and interesting - like you, I felt that as time went on I was finding ways to use my fingers to work out where my thread was coming out and to really think about where the next stitch should go. I was also quite tired by the end of it! I tried a couple of French knots, with some success, but found myself drawn back to the comfort of seed stitch. You did make me laugh with your colour perception wittering - I had exactly the same conversation with my year 8 science class just this week!
wouw, this exercise seem’s quite challenging and I’m still thinking if I‘ll go for this😅, but it was fascinating watching you … I’m curious about the eco dyeing video and appreciate that you‘ll share it here instead of making it an online class😊 🤗 Angelika
This is very eye opening. I was intrigued with the idea. I will pay attention to my feelings as I do this exercise. I think I would love to see and do the eco printing. I was looking at the oak leaves yesterday and wondering if I could still use them. So I am looking forward to it. Thank you for the videos and all of the things you teach me
This project sounds great--no expectations of how the finished piece will look--it sounds quite liberating to me. Please do use a flashlight when walking around in the dark. My husband tripped, fell and broke his wrist one night-- he was looking for our cat who had been ill, and he was worried about her. We now keep a flashlight next to the bed, within easy reach. 💕💕
That is a good idea, it's pretty light here at night though, lots of security lights outside. The house in France was pitch black with very uneven floors so I had to be careful ❤️
Remarkable to witness, I think you are very brave doing this exercise in front of all of your viewers. I will definitely give it a go, but I know I will be far too curious about the results. Don't think I could ever put it in an envelope and not give it a glance 😊
I think I will do this again for myself and put it in an envelope, I am not sure if I used the editing thing as an excuse to look, I am interested to challenge myself 😉❤️
🙈 It was my intention on first arriving to watch this video, to congratulate you on your beautifully embroidered Passion flowers, particularly the one with fluffy fibres in the centre, I wondered if those would somehow become stamens. I do apologise, I've had a 'flu-like 'thing' and when my focus settled, well. 🤷♀️
I found that I was holding my breath as you began to couch stitch! This is really fascinating Kathryn - I am definitely going to try this to experience it for myself. I have to go out now but I look forward to coming back to it. How clever to have thought of doing this and how intriguing it is! Big love from Margaret and Oscar ❤
I'm not sure I can do this week's challenge as I too hate the dark. But I'm so excited about the eco printing ahead. Our trees are just leafing up in South Africa so perfect timing. ❤
I'm very surprised that you've never investigated meditation. There's all kinds of different meditation techniques, just like there's all kinds of different kinds of stitching. I feel so impressed at your courage to stitch blindfolded. Good for you. I find one basic launching point for meditation is a form of pranayama (yoga of the breath): breath in for 8 counts hold for 4 exhale for 8 counts and hold for 4, and repeat, all while paying attention to the breath passing over the nostrils. When sensing something coming into your awareness "from outside," like a noise or a sensation in your body, you just watch it come and go like a bird flying past in the sky and then gently return your focus to the awareness of the breath passing over the nostrils again. When you get to a point that you can remember when you actually felt the "intrusion" whether it happened on the inhale or exhale or the holding, that's a good gauge how you attentive you are while meditating. Often in the beginning however is how the mind will take its flights of fancy and to try to return to watching the breath. The goal if there is one, is being able to tame the mind without being punitive or emotional but being a gentle caring guide, as you would when riding a horse and giving it direction with the reins. Hope this helps!
Thank you, I have been to yoga classes now and again over the years but never really found any that stuck. And I have tried various breathing exercises but ditto. I seem to have a mental block, I just need to find the right thing for me I guess. ❤️
@@k3n.clothtales I understand. I encourage you to give the breathing exercise suggestion a go because it's not something you can intellectualize. You just do it and then it becomes second nature. It's just breathing and counting. Both activities help direct the mind. There's nothing that says you have to do it every time for all time. There's gazillions of different techniques. And just like you wouldn't refuse to try a new stitch, you might not refuse to try a breathing exercise as a meditation. You might not do the stitch after you tried, it, but you have to at least TRY it, don't you think? I'm not trying to pressure you, so that's not what this is about. That you are resisting is more to do with the mind, than it has to do with breathing! When you are serious about meditation, I hope you will give it a go, and then you can let me know what you discovered about it? Cheers!
@@k3n.clothtales ( Also I wasn't speaking of yoga, I was discussing meditation. Pranayama isn't necessarily yoga. Yes it's breathing exercises, but breathing techniques can be defined in so many different contexts. For example how you breathe while swimming or while playing a wind instrument, or how you breathe while singing. Hardcore pranayama isn't really for me either, but I just called it pranayama, because it has to do with the breath. I might be entirely wrong to call it pranayama, actually. My emphasis has to do with meditation and a way to keep the mind focused. I think you might like it, especially if your mind is fighting to stay still. A teacher told me once about the simply sitting swami, actually requires a lot of discipline. So many people are not able to simply sit quietly for hours and hours, but there ARE monks who do sit for hours and hours over months and months. Imagine trying to do that? I don't think I could do it, that's for sure!
@@lightbulbnirvana thank you, I will certainly give it all some thought. I only mentioned yoga because we did some guided meditation during those classes, I realise the two disciplines are different. ❤️
There’s a few things that scare me but loosing my sight is perhaps the worse thing bodily for me. Hearing is a difficulty but I could still do everything other than listening to music or audio books. I will be trying this. I have held work done by a blind person and if I’d not been told it, I would never have known. Thank you for this idea🙂
I noticed that every time you needed to feel [ see] your work you only used your thumbs. why? generally the fingers are much more tuned in. and then when you were trying to find your ricrac you used you your whole hand flat, when that's not how we generally look for things, but it was your fingers that found the ricrac. interesting! Interesting concept this week. not something a sighted person would ever really think about. Watching you was very interesting. thanks for sharing.
@@debcragan1222 I don't know why I used my thumbs, except that the index finger on my left hand doesn't have much sensitivity because of a rotary cutting incident years ago so maybe because of that? I don't really know why I did anything, I just did it. 😁 Flat hands maybe to cover more surface area more efficiently? I must watch it again when I get a minute and observe myself rather than from the point of view of editing or checking it's ok to go out. ❤️
How courageous of you and yes, it was truly sensory stitching! And watching as well because i really tensed up when your threads got knotted😅 Admirable how calm you went through this process. I would probably knot both ends of my thread to avoid unthreading. I must admit i had to laugh as well sometimes but then immediately felt bad about it. Interesting how even just watching this makes you / one more aware. I wonder how and why Yvonne decides on her choice of fabrics and threads for her projects. You and I can choose a colorpalette and that in itself may still be about the end result? Well anyway dear Kathryn, very interesting and lovely as always. 💖🍀🥰
I know! When I watched it back, I was amazed. It really felt like a knot. And how strange to watch myself cutting where I thought the thread was but there was only air ❤️
Interesting sense experiment. I made it a point to simply listen and not watch until you removed your blindfold and began describing what you'd done... You described it largely in terms of what you knew about the materials before you began. That makes me think the next challenge in an experiment like this would be to have someone else collect the materials for you so that you work sight unseen with no preconceived notions.
This is so topical for me right now. I'm down to one working eye over the last six months. Surgery is a promise, but public health.... could be months yet. This prompt has made me think. If I do the envelope, maybe, in a couple of years, if I can't see at all, I can open it and try to copy it. Never see either...
Oh Anne I am so sorry. That is scary. If you feel up to doing this, I would examine it afterwards if I were you, to see that you can create something without sight and enjoy its creation. I hope surgery comes as soon as possible, sending you lots of love and a hug ❤️
Thank you. ❤ Weirdly, this gives me hope that a blind photographer/stitcher/onetime painter might still be relevant somehow. I wouldn't be totally unsighted, contrast and colour will be available just zero focus. I think the envelope will be interesting. It is an idea that gives me hope of a creative future.
I hope you turned it upside down. It looks like a cotton boll seed head with a lacy leaf and rucksack braid stem.When I was facilitating a breath work therapy group one of the participants was completely blind. We always ended the session by drawing a Jungian styled mandala.. M blind participant drew the most beautiful cosmos with silver stars. She clearly knew what stars, moons and sun symbols "looked" like❤
I have cornea disease, and occasionally, lights flash in my eyes to the point that I can't see the needle eye. A couple of weeks ago, I couldn't do the exercise because of this. It never occurred to me that I could use a needle threader and touch.
My effort has been posted on the fb page in a sealed envelope which my husband placed inside ...so I have no idea what it looks like much to the point really ...I must say he thought I had lost my marbles
Illuminating. 💖💖💖 I’m looking forward to your eco printing tutorials. And I ask for your help. 😊I’ve been gifted a lovely linen tablecloth that needles well. However it has been starched and is crisp. Any suggestions to remove it. Simply laundering didn’t do it. 😟
I would scour it, so if you have a pan big enough, ideally boil it for a good half hour in water with soda ash (sodium carbonate )added. You can get it from natural dye suppliers like Maiwa. If you don't want to go to the expense, you could try washing soda from the supermarket. If you don't have a big enough pan, you could cut it into pieces if you are going to use it for stitching projects anyway. Hope that does the trick. ❤️
I want to do this challenge, but I don't dare to make it that difficult. I think I'll only thread some needles with different kinds of thread and then try to do some stitching on a background cloth. More as a practice.
I wonder if my son has synesthesia because he has always said he smells emotions, since he was very young. I don’t know if that is part of synesthesia, I have never really thought about that.
It is frustrating but an interesting challenge when you are ready. You could simplify to just one piece of cloth and one threaded needle and take a few stitches with your eyes closed. ❤️
I have newer in all my life met a woman who was color blind, but several men, my own brother was. They all have problems with green/red. That’s why they can’t be fx. pilots. Don’t know if it’s about the chromosomes.
I have watched only 6 minutes; you are about to blindfold yourself. I know my biggest takeaway already: what a brilliant and courageous stitcher you are!
Oh my goodness me Kathryn, so many lessons in one exercise. It took me back to my school days, when in our office practice class, we were told that we would be blindfolded in order to learn to touch type (without looking at the keys). The teacher (Miss Witherspoon) explained that we would be able to read transcripts and type at the same time. Everyone looked at each other in horror, fear and amusement, the amusement from me particularly, as I was sure she was pulling our legs and couldn't see how we would ever be able to do what she saying.
Needless to say, we made many mistakes along the way and our little fingers had to learn to work more efficiently in order to reach certain keys. After a time, our brains rewired, we learned new skills, we adapted, we found a way forward and most importantly, we succeeded, building confidence and facing challenges, whilst facing our fears.
Great video Kathryn, it brought back so many memories, whilst making me think about how as I grow older, I need to adapt to changes, rather than fear them, or worse still, just freeze. Xxx
I never learnt to touch type unfortunately but have taught myself to knit without looking, whilst watching TV for example. Like you say, it just requires a little mental rewiring. ♥️
I learned to touch type, but I could never play piano without looking. It drove my teacher crazy. I had to memorized the written music so I could look at my hands.
Another fascinating episode, Kathryn. I’ll definitely be trying this. Before you took off your blindfold you said that you knew you wouldn’t have created a masterpiece - wasn’t that you prejudging the piece on the basis of your unconscious sight bias? Now, given this was your first attempt, it’s unlikely you’d create a masterpiece but with time and effort … This exercise is a great opportunity, as you say, to truly stitch mindfully. Thanks for encouraging us. And shout out to Yvonne and all the other visually challenged stitchers in the community. ❤
I am not sure to be honest, I think I meant to say that creating a masterpiece wasn't the point of the exercise, it was purely about the process. ❤️
@ I agree. The purpose is most definitely the process - and the learning you get from it. I’m off to find a sleeping mask someone gave me (no idea why) for Christmas last year.
I was a bit anxious about this one! In the end I decided to do this page without my glasses. I watched you at the same time so you were blurry as well 😉🙃
That's a good solution Rita ☺️
@@k3n.clothtales - someone in the Facebook group did that and then I felt able to tackle it xo
Thank you Kathryn (and Yvonne) for this difficult exercise. I got anxious just reading the word "blindfall". I was anxious during the whole video but I wanted to understand my feelings and continue to watch you. I know that I can't do this experiment, but it's a lesson for me to understand my own feelings and how others cope with physical limitations and enjoy life. Stitching is a source of joy for everyone who loves the craft. ❤
Thank you Vivian, that is as valuable as actually doing the exercise ❤️
I think the piece is PERFECTLY UNIQUE ❤
Yes, it is that 😁♥️
Fascinating exercise. I think you did great. I’m not sure I could have stood the cloth over my eyes as long as you did. You are a patient, focused, and intrepid sewer. Kudos!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you Judith, I don't think I could have done it even ten years ago. And certainly my teachers at school would have been astounded to hear me described as patient and focused. I must thank slowstitch for teaching me that. ❤️
I love slow stitch. I have mild stage alzheimer's disease and make mistakes often. I have a rule for myself not to undo my mistakes. I still mostly always love the results. Stitching brings me peace. ❤ Thank you for pushing through your hard days and whittering on. You are an inspiration. ❤
I am so pleased that stitching brings you peace and that you are gentle with yourself ❤️
I understand how my diminishing intellect affects so much of my life in a frustrating way, but with slow stitching in the manner of K3N, I believe there are no "mistakes" and I am more content with my work than ever before. It's a new avenue of creative expression that just feels so darned good. Carry on making beautiful, interesting mistakes.
@@annrubino6252 ❤️ this.
This tutorial carries so much food for thought, K3N. Having had glaucoma for over 2 decades, I often practice moving about my home, eyes closed. I've never admitted even to myself that I am preparing for the possibility of blindness. It's just another way of sensing my environment and appreciating all of my abilities. I am going to enjoy, and learn much by doing this exercise. Thanks so much for your clever ingenuity. Yes, it's often emotional to deeply explore a moment's sensation.
Hugs to you Ann, I am so sorry. And I am learning more and more to allow and embrace all the emotions, even the upsetting ones. I feel that I have been on a huge steep learning curve over the last few months.. but it's so good for growth and self awareness. Much love ❤️
Thank you so much Kathryn. This video was so moving. I did not use a blindfold as I was watching you so intensely. The way you searched for your threads etc and applied them to your piece was mesmerizing. You truly are the most amazing creative with the ability to engage and inspire ❤️
Thank you so much for that ❤️❤️❤️
When I read your title for today's stitching tutorial I laughed... but then I thought about the practicality of the exercise... if I can't sleep at night, rather than go to my craft room and turn on a light, I should try stitching in the dark. Stitching is meditative and restful and brings peace of mind. Will definitely give this a go...
❤ thank you for the philosophical wittering. Great lesson, perfect quote, intriguing outcome 😊❤
yes, stitching in a dark room, that was my idea too
Yeah, me too, I thought that the blindfold would be metaphorically speaking. I love this idea K3n :D
To my surprise, I used the edge of my upper lip to distinguish my thread differences, as well as identifying my bits of fabric I had set up for the project. More sensitive than my rougher less sensitive fingertips. 🤔 A pleasant surprise !
I think that's very interesting and I am reminded of how when we are babies, we explore objects by putting them in our mouths, until grown ups tell us not to. ❤️
You are brave Kathryn. This is a good study in patience. I found myself tensing up and wanting to help you. Amazing to watch.😊
Patience is something I have had to make a real effort to teach myself, slowstitch has helped enormously. I am glad you enjoyed it ❤️
"From the curious mind of K3N ". . . Absolutely a fabulous journey of the minds' eye and the feel of the hand. Kathryn you never cease to amaze me. Great video for more thought. Also, thank you to your blind friend that you spoke with. 💙💚💛
This is, for me, the heart of slow stitching, needle pulling thread through cloth, one mindful stitch at a time. Thank you, Kathryn. ❤
Oh this is just fabulous! what a wonderful exploration. I have to say I agree entirely with Bev - you've done this with compassion and empathy and sensitivity - because I would have missed it out as well if it wasn't with you. But we know you don't turn things to advantage - we have so many episodes to prove it, with kawandi, boro, indian inspired embroidery, etc and etc. I do feel I take a very great many things for granted, thank you so much for the reminder. (And when you were looking for your word, I shouted 'QUANTIFY!' in my head because of course you can hear us always lol!! 😂💚💚💚
Thank you Nancy, I am so pleased with the response to this, it makes me very happy. And yes of course I can hear you 😁♥️
Well that was a very interesting experiment. I applaud your sensitivity, Kathryn, to those in the community who have vision challenges or are fully blind, and I feel all the more respect for their being able to stitch in those circumstances. I wasn't surprised to find that my piece was a mess: huge, chaotic stitches, crumpled pieces of fabric despite my efforts to keep them flat, threads coming out of needles... The one thing I managed was arranging the pile of fabrics, the pin cushion with threaded, knotted cotton, and my scissors - and keeping them within easy reach. Like someone else here, I didn't blindfold myself, but steadfastly watched you with my piece well beyond my peripheral vision. A salutary lesson not to take my eyes for granted.
My thanks also to Yvonne for inspiring and helping you. ❤
I am glad you found it interesting, I certainly did. And I plan to try it again just for myself. ♥️
You mentioned jokingly maybe using the tray for other episodes-I was thinking the same thing. It’s very cute and calming too!
Just a bit clattery when I put the scissors down 😁♥️
I’m lost for words Kathryn - you demonstrated stitching without sight so well and left me feeling so humbled by the experience of just watching you. I will definitely give it a go. X
Wonderful! 🥰
I am looking forward to doing this project. I will need to be very careful as I regularly stick needles into my self . The need to concentrate on process rather then worry about product This reminds me of when I was working with people with dementia trying to get staff to
understand this concept, and that their role was to support people and not to take over. I wish I had known about this exercise then. It would have got the message across better then the training they were given.
We are most of us goal oriented aren't we? It's in our DNA and in our conditioning. It's a difficult journey to teach ourselves to be process focused but I believe it's important in all aspects of our lives. Please be careful not to use yourself as a pin cushion though 😁❤️
I think that if almost anyone other than you, Kathryn, had posted a video with this title I would probably have given it a miss. But I knew we could trust you to handle the subject with empathy, sensitivity and grace, rather than, as you said, making it into a gimmick.
I haven’t tried the exercise myself yet but watching you work made me realise anew just how much I take for granted, but also how much it is possible to miss by not keeping all the senses alert. Thank you for another mind-opening concept.
I’m looking forward to the videos about eco-dying. Thank you for your generosity in making these tutorials freely available. I’ve been trying to learn about mordanting but so far it feels like I’d need to go to Hogwarts to get a good understanding 🤦🏻♀️😂❤️
Thank you so much Bev for your trust. Ecoprinting coming tomorrow, no wands required 😁❤️
WOW Kathryn! I would have thought without sight the world of stitching was unaccessible . What an inspiring perspective from Yvonne and much food for thought. Serves to remind us all...life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful. PS you are a world class witterer xx
Now that is definitely a T-shirt 'World Class Witterer' 😁❤️
Kathryn, I do read all the comments, it’s very interesting to me to learn how others relate to your stitching. Everyone seems to have unique ideas of the process and the end result. I’ve learned so much from watching you stitch and listening to your wittering. Whenever I try to walk around my home in the dark I inevitably walk into something so I try not to walk in total darkness.
This was so interesting, it seemed like once you started wittering that you relaxed into the process more. ❤
I tried this today but shutting my eyes, no blindfold. It makes you appreciate what we take for granted. Thankyou for the tutorial x
Such a most interesting experience. Thank you for being so creative.
I haven’t done last week yet but that one and this are going to be so fun. I am legally blind without my contacts so have some knowledge of sight issues. My fingers have peripheral neuropathy from chemo so are numb. I am really looking forward to seeing what happens! Maybe I need to film some of mine - to see it afterwards. I wouldn’t want to put mine in an envelope!
It was interesting and a bit surreal to watch the video back when I edited 😊❤️
Hi Carolyn, I agree, it would be hard to not look at the results! I cannot feel the needle or thread due to an unknown cause of 3 numb fingers on both hands. I think this would be an interesting challenge, but I am up for it. 😊 I never want to give up on stitching. I am grateful I have decent vision with good glasses. Happy Stitching!🙂
@@HappyBird105 it is a weird feeling a torching and not feeling needles and thread properly. I have gotten used to it. My last 4 chemo doses were cancelled as I was dropping said needle. Still had 12 doses. On chemo I threaded basted over 4,000 inch hexagons and am making a long sized quilt out of them.
that's great! I did last week's project without looking. (I didn't blindfold last week., but will try that, and do a comparison. Fun, fun, ♥️k3n!
How wonderful Pat ❤️
Absolutely Fabulous!! Love this experiment! Can't wait for Eco-Dying project!! Hugs ❤
Thanks so much!❤️
Access to a previously unaccessible world. Gave my stitching new meaning. Found doing multiple rather than single stitches easier to control. The more textured the fabric the easier it was to control. Also my left thumb did lots of guiding. If pieces bigger than background it was v difficult to judge placement. Managing thread was difficult. I did get one knot but managed to manhandle it through fabric! I used fleece, felt, twine, silk strip and silk ribbon and piece of Irish crochet.
So great to read your insights into your stitching Breda. It really gives perspective on how we actually engineer the stitching and the cloth and I wonder if what we learn will change how we work going forward, those of us who have our sight ❤️
Interesting session. My grandmother and aunt were both blinded later in life by diabetes. Your touching the fibers was so much like how they touched things. It made me remember 60 years ago watching my grandmother use both hands to count the holes on her black desk top telephone dial to make a call. The patience she had! I’m so enjoying these ideas you’ve come up with. Be kind to yourself and have a fabulous day.
Hiya K3n. Well I've just finished mine and I have to say, that was a challenge! I didn't use a blindfold but just shut my eyes, I didn't think I was going to get through it without peeking but I persisted and finished my piece. Some loose stitches and an upside down heart! But I did it. Thankyou for the tutorials you put up. I look forward to each and every one of them.
Fascinating idea. I can imagine that seeing it afterwards was surreal - almost like you weren’t there but knowing you were. Very surreal experience.
It really was strange ❤️
I found a great quote for this. I’m not sure of the provenance, but a French chap in the 1930’s - Henri Fusion???
The hand is the organ of thought.
The most delicate harmonies evoking the secret springs of our imagination and sensibility take form by the hand’s action as it works in matter. It is the hands, not the eye, that investigates surfaces, volume, density and weight.
I got it from a RUclips clip called The Poetics of Textiles posted under the name Maiwa. I thought of you and your philosophy all the way through.
Fascinating to watch. Looking forward to having a go.
I agree that when one sense closes, the others become more aware, more vibrant. Very interesting exercise that I will try when next I’m feeling adventurous ❤
I am in a state of wonderment ❤❤❤❤
Hi Kathryn,
This is fab! …and not only because I squealed out-loud when I saw that you and I have the same (thrifted) tray! 🤭Mine’s got a little bit faded over the years, from having been used outside, but It’s still my favourite.
I noticed recently that you had begun to distinguish between the majority sighted audience members and those that may be sight impaired, and I guessed that you might have some viewers in the latter category. I remember finding and watching a British RUclipsr called The Blind Woodturner some years ago and watching, with fascination at what he was able to achieve. It’s quite incredible, not least because he still had all of his fingers!! If I remember correctly, he wasn’t blind from birth.
As with a lot of things, it’s perhaps easier on the brain if you haven’t ever known any different, because you are not having to adapt while also mourning your former way of doing things. A lot of the frustrations and tension that you were feeling while working on the piece was your brain having a tantrum about having to get off it’s backside and create new neural pathways for this new scenario. It’s not that the brain is lazy, it’s that it consumes a massive amount of calories when it needs to create new connections & pathways, which is why learning or doing something different often seems exhausting. Doing anything that’s new , or breaking an old habit, is frustrating for this precise reason. It’s like it’s saying, “Are you really sure that you want me to make these new neural pathways? Let’s find out. Here’s an unpleasant emotion, which usually has the effect of separating the wheat from the chaff” Practice is about proving intent. If you keep doing something, usually 21 times, your brain will have got the message and the new neural pathway will have formed. At this point you can relax more, because the new connection allows you to do the thing on autopilot.
What I think is most moving about this video is that you have shown the ultimate in compassion towards your blind & visually impaired audience members because you have been willing to “walk a mile in their shoes” and demonstrate to your sighted viewers the diversity of people that can enjoy Slowstitch, where they might otherwise feel excluded from participating, if they didn’t feel able to execute more complex embroidery stitches, or, they are someone who has lost their sight later in life after having enjoyed needlework throughout their lives before losing their vision. Slowstitch, due to its simplicity is, I think, accessible, in ways that other needlework techniques might not be. I also believe that, in taking the walk, you will have enhanced your teaching skills in the process, because you’ve experienced another perspective. ❤
Thank you so much for such a thoughtful message.. I meant to mention Gertrude Jekyll ( I forgot because of having to concentrate on what I was doing more than usual. I was inspired by her when I studied garden design not only because I loved her planting style but also because when her sight deteriorated too much to be able to paint anymore, she turned to gardening and 'painted' with plants instead. The power of human creativity, that finds a way. I am also very inspired by those here in our slowstitch community who are , let's say differently abled in a myriad of ways but have made the commitment to their creativity and find ways to express themselves through their own process. Very interesting what you say about the new neural pathways, I was indeed very tired after filming and hadn't really realised why. ❤️
I found this really interesting. Many thanks to you and to Yvonne.
While there were some frustrating moments, I found the process much more mindful than my usual stitching. While I wouldn't choose to stitch blindfolded normally, it may be something I would do again when I need to stop overthinking. Interesting.
What an interesting exercise I have to give this a try in morning. Thank you for teaching us a new lesson
I have quite the tangle. Quite an experience. Thank you.
You’re welcome 😊
Hi Kathryn, Thinking of doing this 52 weeks next year and just following it at my own leisure this year I have just watched the videos in awe of your stitching ideas etc. Looking forward to seeing the ecco dyeing I am really interested in it and have been for a few years. Always nice to get some tips and tricks. Thank you for making it a freebie too.
My pleasure Tracy, part one coming this morning ❤️
Fascinating! I was on the edge of my seat with each stitch you took. I learned a lot from this exercise and am going to try it myself. You never cease to amaze. ❤ Thank you!
What a neat idea, k3n! I am visiting family right now, and it's wonderfully busy, so I will wait to do this until I am back home so I can give it my full attention. It has had another immediate benefit, however, because the brother I am visiting is an animator and also teaches animation at the university here. He was very interested to hear about this unsighted stitching and is excited to explore and muse about doing an activity or two with his students that involves doing a work and not seeing the results immediately. He is so creative, so I'm sure he and his students will have a terrific time with whatever he comes up with. Thanks from both of us! Also, btw, I have been very much looking forward to the ecoprining; and my sister-in-law, also an animator, may very well also be keen to try it while I'm here, as we just did some sun printing together on the weekend. So much coolness, Kathryn.
How wonderful Kate, I would love to hear about what he comes up with. Ecoprinting part one is filmed and will be up on Wednesday morning, part two on Friday ❤️
@@k3n.clothtales Sounds great. I'm looking forward to hearing too and will let you know.
Like watching an hour and a half of Marco Polo at the pool side! 😉
😁♥️
Beautiful quote!🍀💖
Kathryn, I thought you were going to say, put it in an envelope and post it to a stitching friend and vice versa.
Eco printing a la Kathryn, yaaaaaaaaaaaay!
❣🦋
I love this! I cannot remember what it was, but I giggled a bit once when you talked about what you were doing and it was not that at all! I wasn't making fun of you, but recognized how much I think I am doing one thing and it does not turn out that way! My grandpa's sister lived to over 100, had macular degeneration and ended up blind. She had been an artist all of her life. My mother's album of childhood things had quite a few of the cards and Christmas decorations she had sent from Norway back in the early part of the 20th century.
She eventually lived in an old-folks home, but it was not what I knew from here in the States. They had a loom that they would set up and she spent time weaving. Those things she learned when she was sighted were so automatic that her work was meticulous! I have a placemat she wove - pinks and purples in plaid! Staff would set up the warp, but she chose the colors! Because of that, I definitely want to do this!
And, I knew a guy who was a body and fender man... he repaired wrecked cars. He said he had become very sensitive to dents you could not see. I've kind of tested myself over the years, guessing what something was. I have a feeling that my results will give me a real laugh! I might need to record it just so I can see what my thinking was while I do it! Have a wonderful week!!!
How wonderful to stitch blind in tribute to your great aunt, she sounds wonderful. If I ever end up in an old folks home I hope it is the kind with things like looms ❤️
@@k3n.clothtales Yes! I don't think I will be moving to Norway when I am ready for that kind of thing - plus I have done very little weaving in my life! LOL! I guess we will have to come up with some simple and easy to contain things for the possibility! I have a feeling that even needles will be confiscated if we cannot see... Sharp scissors might be a problem, too, along with my stash, which still has scraps from the early 70s! Talking grands into sneaking in fun things to do will have to go on my list of things I need! LOL!
@katpaints love that! Contraband sewing supplies 😂❤️
Haven't watched, or listened to this episode yet because I got home and started watching About Time while I still can on Netflix. Not sure which of your videos you mentioned it... the sensory one no doubt... but wanted to say thank you for reminding me of this fabulous film. Yet another reason, of dozens, why I so enjoy your sharings and am so grateful that I found you at the start of this year. Thank you thank you.
My pleasure, I am lucky to have the DVD. I am saving it as a treat to watch next time I feel I need a treat ❤️
Wow, K3N you never cease to amaze me! It reminds me of Shakespeare in the Dark, a whole performance based on sound, touch, and smell. Brilliant ❤
Oh yes, I have heard of that ❤️
Great challenge. I have bitten the bullet and tucked mine in an envelope...hopefully I won't be tempted to open it in the next ten minutes. I am thinking to set myself a date and do the deed then...I actually suggested that on the FB group so it will be interesting to see if anyone else thinks it could be an option. Enjoy the rest of your week. Hugs
Interesting idea Maureen, also I wonder if when the time comes you will be able to NOT open it, if you see what I mean. Maybe your curiosity about the end result will have waned? 🥰❤️
How very blessed and fortunate we are to have our sight. I have had bad eyesight since 2nd grade (I am 63 now), thank heavens for glasses and eye doctors. I've always said I would sew until I couldn't see - but now I can still continue! Thank you dear Katherine. P.S. I fail at meditation as I have ADHD and am too hyper for it. If you find a great technique, let me know, I've attempted several.
I cannot believe how enjoyable this was to experience. I liked the result as well. What did surprised me was after having a very dark scarf on to hide my eyes how bright it was when I took it off. My brain felt bombarded with light and colour ❤❤
Yes I felt that too ❤️
Wow, you are so brave, K3n! This video is the definition of vulnerability ❤ and I'm only starting to watch
Thank you, I hadn't thought of it like that but it would explain why I felt nervous ❤️
What an interesting exercise !✔️
Count me as one of the initially reluctant for blindfolded stitching. But my loyalty to your inspiration and my stitch journal nudged me into it. And I'm glad of it. Many years ago in an art class I made a sculpture of my own head working blind under a box. What emerged was spontaneously lively and unexpectedly accurate. What I'm seeing in my own and others' little stitchings is also spontaneous and somehow free of the constraints that sight puts on our pursuit of "perfection". Should I close my eyes more often as I create?
Thank you so much for your trust Sara. Your head sculpture sounds fascinating, yes I think a little eye closing every now and then could be no bad thing. ❤️
This one really surprised me. I must say that I feel very, very uncomfortable in dark places or with the idea that I can’t see. The first thing I do when I wake up is to open all the blinds, because I hate being in the dark, so I honestly wouldn’t feel comfortable doing this. That being said, a big applause to you and to those who can do it. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the process, but I think I can only enjoy the process if I can see it. We’re all different, isn’t it? Anyway, as always, it was a pleasure to have watched your video. Have a wonderful day, you and Stella and Fredfred of course 😊♥️🧡🤎💙💚💛🩶🩷💜🩵❤️
It is interesting how we are all different. I am making a blind for my bedroom to go behind the curtain as it's too light for me at night. 😊❤️
Such a meditative video, serene. Thank you for doing this exercise with us. You are very brave. not only to try it but to try it with us in full view. The outcome is stunning. I have lost ever so small a portion of my central eyesight in one eye making it difficult to do things with fine detail. Sometimes I stress about it happening in the other eye but now having seen this I don't need to worry. I love the quote as well. Thank you for sharing your artistic talents with us. 🌷
Such a positive attitude, hats off to you. I am so pleased you found the exercise helpful ❤️
@@k3n.clothtales ❤
I haven’t tried this yet only listen to you but I think I will although it seems a bit scarry too. The video made me feel mindful . ❤ Tineke
It is a bit scary Tineke but I am sure you can do it. If being blindfolded is too much, you can just close your eyes then you will feel more in control. ❤️
Your finished piece looks surprisingly good - i really like it! Seems quite a courageous thing to do - will i have the courage 🤔 regardless fascinating video Kathryn ❤ Eco printing will be brilliant - ì just found a book on Thursday with a collection of projects graded in difficulty so very excited to see those coming videos ❤😊❤
This has been my favorite videos by far to watch. I think every child in school should have to do this. I did chuckle when you thought you were cutting your thread and it was nothing but air. Just so absolutely fascinating. I also laughed when you were talking about walking at night in the house. I have times I get up at night to use the bathroom and I don’t know why but I keep my eyes shut tight. I feel like if they’re open I strain to see where I can’t, so instead, I use my hands. Should we discuss how many toenails I’ve actually had fall off due to this way of walking at night? Now I have a salt lamp on at all times.😂 Beautiful video and thank you so much for all you do for us
I do love you Jude but I am not sure I want to discuss your lost toe nails 😱😂. I am so pleased you appreciated this video. Yes, missing the thread with the scissors was quite the highlight. ❤️
I found this piece both moving and interesting - like you, I felt that as time went on I was finding ways to use my fingers to work out where my thread was coming out and to really think about where the next stitch should go. I was also quite tired by the end of it! I tried a couple of French knots, with some success, but found myself drawn back to the comfort of seed stitch.
You did make me laugh with your colour perception wittering - I had exactly the same conversation with my year 8 science class just this week!
wouw, this exercise seem’s quite challenging and I’m still thinking if I‘ll go for this😅, but it was fascinating watching you …
I’m curious about the eco dyeing video and appreciate that you‘ll share it here instead of making it an online class😊
🤗 Angelika
Part one will be up this morning, hope you enjoy it ❤️
Wonderful process, thank you!!
This is very eye opening. I was intrigued with the idea. I will pay attention to my feelings as I do this exercise.
I think I would love to see and do the eco printing. I was looking at the oak leaves yesterday and wondering if I could still use them. So I am looking forward to it.
Thank you for the videos and all of the things you teach me
Lovely :)
Thank you! 😊
This project sounds great--no expectations of how the finished piece will look--it sounds quite liberating to me. Please do use a flashlight when walking around in the dark. My husband tripped, fell and broke his wrist one night-- he was looking for our cat who had been ill, and he was worried about her. We now keep a flashlight next to the bed, within easy reach. 💕💕
That is a good idea, it's pretty light here at night though, lots of security lights outside. The house in France was pitch black with very uneven floors so I had to be careful ❤️
An interesting exercise.I love the final effects visually.very abstract.
What a fantastic idea 😊 watched as you created, ok I laughed a few times, I hope to be brave enough to try this 😅. You are so very inspiring ❤❤❤😊
Thank you and it's ok to laugh 😁❤️
Remarkable to witness, I think you are very brave doing this exercise in front of all of your viewers. I will definitely give it a go, but I know I will be far too curious about the results. Don't think I could ever put it in an envelope and not give it a glance 😊
I think I will do this again for myself and put it in an envelope, I am not sure if I used the editing thing as an excuse to look, I am interested to challenge myself 😉❤️
🙈 It was my intention on first arriving to watch this video, to congratulate you on your beautifully embroidered Passion flowers, particularly the one with fluffy fibres in the centre, I wondered if those would somehow become stamens. I do apologise, I've had a 'flu-like 'thing' and when my focus settled, well. 🤷♀️
I found that I was holding my breath as you began to couch stitch! This is really fascinating Kathryn - I am definitely going to try this to experience it for myself. I have to go out now but I look forward to coming back to it. How clever to have thought of doing this and how intriguing it is! Big love from Margaret and Oscar ❤
I can not wait to try this. Filled with a little dread of can I do it and do I want to look at it when done. Thanks for this idea.
Interesting. Thank you for sharing ❤
I'm not sure I can do this week's challenge as I too hate the dark. But I'm so excited about the eco printing ahead. Our trees are just leafing up in South Africa so perfect timing. ❤
You could just look ahead and not down at your work if you are uncomfortable blindfolded or with your eyes closed ❤️
It's about the process ❤❤❤
Yes! ❤️❤️❤️
I'm very surprised that you've never investigated meditation. There's all kinds of different meditation techniques, just like there's all kinds of different kinds of stitching. I feel so impressed at your courage to stitch blindfolded. Good for you. I find one basic launching point for meditation is a form of pranayama (yoga of the breath): breath in for 8 counts hold for 4 exhale for 8 counts and hold for 4, and repeat, all while paying attention to the breath passing over the nostrils. When sensing something coming into your awareness "from outside," like a noise or a sensation in your body, you just watch it come and go like a bird flying past in the sky and then gently return your focus to the awareness of the breath passing over the nostrils again. When you get to a point that you can remember when you actually felt the "intrusion" whether it happened on the inhale or exhale or the holding, that's a good gauge how you attentive you are while meditating. Often in the beginning however is how the mind will take its flights of fancy and to try to return to watching the breath. The goal if there is one, is being able to tame the mind without being punitive or emotional but being a gentle caring guide, as you would when riding a horse and giving it direction with the reins. Hope this helps!
Thank you, I have been to yoga classes now and again over the years but never really found any that stuck. And I have tried various breathing exercises but ditto. I seem to have a mental block, I just need to find the right thing for me I guess. ❤️
@@k3n.clothtales I understand. I encourage you to give the breathing exercise suggestion a go because it's not something you can intellectualize. You just do it and then it becomes second nature. It's just breathing and counting. Both activities help direct the mind. There's nothing that says you have to do it every time for all time. There's gazillions of different techniques. And just like you wouldn't refuse to try a new stitch, you might not refuse to try a breathing exercise as a meditation. You might not do the stitch after you tried, it, but you have to at least TRY it, don't you think? I'm not trying to pressure you, so that's not what this is about. That you are resisting is more to do with the mind, than it has to do with breathing! When you are serious about meditation, I hope you will give it a go, and then you can let me know what you discovered about it? Cheers!
@@k3n.clothtales ( Also I wasn't speaking of yoga, I was discussing meditation. Pranayama isn't necessarily yoga. Yes it's breathing exercises, but breathing techniques can be defined in so many different contexts. For example how you breathe while swimming or while playing a wind instrument, or how you breathe while singing. Hardcore pranayama isn't really for me either, but I just called it pranayama, because it has to do with the breath. I might be entirely wrong to call it pranayama, actually. My emphasis has to do with meditation and a way to keep the mind focused. I think you might like it, especially if your mind is fighting to stay still. A teacher told me once about the simply sitting swami, actually requires a lot of discipline. So many people are not able to simply sit quietly for hours and hours, but there ARE monks who do sit for hours and hours over months and months. Imagine trying to do that? I don't think I could do it, that's for sure!
@@lightbulbnirvana thank you, I will certainly give it all some thought. I only mentioned yoga because we did some guided meditation during those classes, I realise the two disciplines are different. ❤️
Nice, thank you.
There’s a few things that scare me but loosing my sight is perhaps the worse thing bodily for me. Hearing is a difficulty but I could still do everything other than listening to music or audio books. I will be trying this. I have held work done by a blind person and if I’d not been told it, I would never have known.
Thank you for this idea🙂
I noticed that every time you needed to feel [ see] your work you only used your thumbs. why? generally the fingers are much more tuned in. and then when you were trying to find your ricrac you used you your whole hand flat, when that's not how we generally look for things, but it was your fingers that found the ricrac. interesting!
Interesting concept this week. not something a sighted person would ever really think about. Watching you was very interesting. thanks for sharing.
@@debcragan1222 I don't know why I used my thumbs, except that the index finger on my left hand doesn't have much sensitivity because of a rotary cutting incident years ago so maybe because of that? I don't really know why I did anything, I just did it. 😁 Flat hands maybe to cover more surface area more efficiently? I must watch it again when I get a minute and observe myself rather than from the point of view of editing or checking it's ok to go out. ❤️
How courageous of you and yes, it was truly sensory stitching! And watching as well because i really tensed up when your threads got knotted😅 Admirable how calm you went through this process. I would probably knot both ends of my thread to avoid unthreading. I must admit i had to laugh as well sometimes but then immediately felt bad about it. Interesting how even just watching this makes you / one more aware. I wonder how and why Yvonne decides on her choice of fabrics and threads for her projects. You and I can choose a colorpalette and that in itself may still be about the end result? Well anyway dear Kathryn, very interesting and lovely as always. 💖🍀🥰
I would imagine she goes only by texture. 😊❤️
I wonder how many of us were trying to help you along the way. “No, it’s not a knot, it’s just twisted…”😂
I know! When I watched it back, I was amazed. It really felt like a knot. And how strange to watch myself cutting where I thought the thread was but there was only air ❤️
Interesting sense experiment. I made it a point to simply listen and not watch until you removed your blindfold and began describing what you'd done... You described it largely in terms of what you knew about the materials before you began. That makes me think the next challenge in an experiment like this would be to have someone else collect the materials for you so that you work sight unseen with no preconceived notions.
Yes that's a good idea ❤️
This is so topical for me right now. I'm down to one working eye over the last six months. Surgery is a promise, but public health.... could be months yet.
This prompt has made me think.
If I do the envelope, maybe, in a couple of years, if I can't see at all, I can open it and try to copy it. Never see either...
Oh Anne I am so sorry. That is scary. If you feel up to doing this, I would examine it afterwards if I were you, to see that you can create something without sight and enjoy its creation. I hope surgery comes as soon as possible, sending you lots of love and a hug ❤️
Thank you. ❤
Weirdly, this gives me hope that a blind photographer/stitcher/onetime painter might still be relevant somehow. I wouldn't be totally unsighted, contrast and colour will be available just zero focus.
I think the envelope will be interesting. It is an idea that gives me hope of a creative future.
It’s interesting that your stitches are so much bigger than they would be if you could see them.
Yes I thought that too. ❤️
Same here.
❤🧡💛
I hope you turned it upside down. It looks like a cotton boll seed head with a lacy leaf and rucksack braid stem.When I was facilitating a breath work therapy group one of the participants was completely blind. We always ended the session by drawing a Jungian styled mandala.. M blind participant drew the most beautiful cosmos with silver stars. She clearly knew what stars, moons and sun symbols "looked" like❤
I have cornea disease, and occasionally, lights flash in my eyes to the point that I can't see the needle eye. A couple of weeks ago, I couldn't do the exercise because of this. It never occurred to me that I could use a needle threader and touch.
I hope it helps you Kathy, to use a needle threader ❤️
My effort has been posted on the fb page in a sealed envelope which my husband placed inside ...so I have no idea what it looks like much to the point really ...I must say he thought I had lost my marbles
I just saw the envelope, fabulous ❤️
Illuminating. 💖💖💖 I’m looking forward to your eco printing tutorials. And I ask for your help. 😊I’ve been gifted a lovely linen tablecloth that needles well. However it has been starched and is crisp. Any suggestions to remove it. Simply laundering didn’t do it. 😟
I would scour it, so if you have a pan big enough, ideally boil it for a good half hour in water with soda ash (sodium carbonate )added. You can get it from natural dye suppliers like Maiwa. If you don't want to go to the expense, you could try washing soda from the supermarket. If you don't have a big enough pan, you could cut it into pieces if you are going to use it for stitching projects anyway. Hope that does the trick. ❤️
I want to do this challenge, but I don't dare to make it that difficult. I think I'll only thread some needles with different kinds of thread and then try to do some stitching on a background cloth. More as a practice.
That is a good idea Inge 🥰
@@k3n.clothtales now I finished I can tell you I did more than only stitching. Went better than I thought.
@ingeleonora-denouden6222 we are always capable of more than we think we are. Well done for being brave enough to push yourself. ❤️
Where's your big paperclip, lately? Thank you for another challenge
It's still here on my desk, it seems more awkward than use now the journal is so full 😉❤️
@@k3n.clothtalesI think so too so I add a bulldog clip 😅
@jacquielawrence5670 😁 that would work ❤️
I have sight in my right eye only so dimension is always a problem, Il certainly have a go but no envelope I want to see what I do
I wonder if my son has synesthesia because he has always said he smells emotions, since he was very young. I don’t know if that is part of synesthesia, I have never really thought about that.
I would say yes, he is a synesthete ❤️
Here's one for hearing. You where saying granitos (sorry for the sp) i heard you say granny toss. That made me stop and think😅
A logical thing to hear 😉❤️
I think I would get too frustrated. Maybe after more experience of stitching…I will give it a try.
It is frustrating but an interesting challenge when you are ready. You could simplify to just one piece of cloth and one threaded needle and take a few stitches with your eyes closed. ❤️
yikes! I spent so much time prepping my work before I put on blindfold. ( more time in the prep,than the stitching , actually).
I have newer in all my life met a woman who was color blind, but several men, my own brother was. They all have problems with green/red. That’s why they can’t be fx. pilots. Don’t know if it’s about the chromosomes.
I have also heard that it's more common in males indeed ❤️
Dikiş ağır gitsede sonuç güzel teşekkürler 👍👏🙋
I have watched only 6 minutes; you are about to blindfold yourself. I know my biggest takeaway already: what a brilliant and courageous stitcher you are!
Thank you Gail, I didn't really think of it like that. ❤️
Hello Kathryn hope you received my contact details and if you could give me a price of your beautiful piece I am interested in purchasing
I haven't seen a message Neil, I am sorry. Can you email me k3nclothtales@gmail.com thank you ❤️