Month Eleven/Week Forty-Eight: So you want to create a stitch journal...

Hard to believe it's almost the end of 2022. While I'm looking forward to the end of 2022 as a year, it will be sad to say goodbye to this year's project. I knew I would enjoy making this piece, but I didn't realize how much I'd love it. Working on a mostly abstract piece has been way more exciting than I thought it would be. I loved last year's project and I don't think I would have done this year's project without having gone through that process. And as it should, next year's project is definitely inspired by this year's. I'll share more about it in the next few weeks.

Last weekend one of my IG followers, who is also an embroidery artist, asked me if I knew where to find pre-made stitch journals. I did some research on pre-made journals last year, but only found one that was in actual journal form. I decided not to buy it and instead went with using a single piece of fabric. I sent the other embroiderer the link; I don't know if she decided to buy it or not. I thought I'd share a bit more about the process that went into my version of a stitch journal and some tips for how you can start your own. (Note: I did buy one of the journals from Etsy, but only recently so I haven't tried it yet.)

There's no one way to make a stitch journal. If you've Googled stitch journal or embroidery journal, you probably found a lot of images or posts featuring a hooped piece of fabric divided into twelve equal quadrants, one for each month. With this type of stitch journal, you can add images, words, numbers, or whatever you'd like for the month. It's not necessary to stitch every day (although you can). The goal is to fill the space for the month. There are variations on this type that focus on one type of stitch or related stitches, in specific patterns or abstract designs. There are also more free form versions, which is what I decided to do for my journal. You can find kits and patterns PDF downloads on Etsy if you're interested in exploring these types of stitch journals.

The great thing about stitch journals is that they can be legitimately anything you want. My 2021 project was technically a stitch journal, maybe even more so than this year's project. I created a small embroidery piece every day and used a calendar grid for each month. However, I never called it a stitch journal even though it was one. When I was planning this year's project, I wanted it to be a stitch journal. I wanted to keep up a daily embroidery practice without having to create pieces like I did last year. I did consider using a bound journal, but decided I wanted the whole embroidery piece on a single piece of fabric. The journal went in a very abstract direction about three months into the project. While I have done actual shapes and quotes, I mostly focused on filling the space in a creative way. I like the way little sections or neighborhoods (I called a few neighborhoods) came together.

There's no one way to do this. If you want to try a stitch journal, I would ask yourself a few questions to decide what format (bound journal, segmented hooped fabric, large piece of fabric) will work for you. Here are a few things to consider:

How would you describe your embroidery level?

Using a kit might be better if you're just starting or consider yourself a beginner. They usually include instructions or prompts. This might make a beginner embroiderer feel less overwhelmed with the prospect of embroidering every day or with the frequency of a journal.
For more intermediate and advanced embroiderers, picking the format really depends on what you want to accomplish. I wanted a daily embroidery practice, which is why I selected one large piece as my format.

Are you comfortable embroidering without a hoop?

If not, a bound journal is probably not the right format for you since it may be hard to use a hoop within a journal.

What do you like to embroider? What types of fabric do you like working on when you embroider?

Having a theme can be a great way to help you keep up with your stitch journal. I didn't have a theme for the entire journal this year, but I did do a few here and there and it helped me keep going. My favorite one was when I hid things in the piece. Themes are fun and can help you further personalize your journal.
I'm not a fan of Aida cloth. Aida cloth is commonly used for counted cross stitch, certain types of needlework and crewel work, and embroidery. Transferring designs to Aida cloth is way more work than it needs to be. I prefer to use cotton fabric or cotton blends for embroidery, so I purchased fabric specifically for this piece from Matryoska Dollshop. Pick a fabric you like and don't be afraid to select a color if that's what you enjoy. I loved using different colored fabrics for last year's project.
I primarily use DMC and Sublime Stitching thread for my embroidery projects. Use whatever thread you like, but don't be afraid to experiment. Since I use the ort jar thread from 2021 for my journal, I also had other materials to use including fabric scraps, sequins, cassette tape ribbon, and yarn since I used them in pieces last year. I've used most of these items at least once. A stitch journal can be an experiment if you want it to be.

How frequently do you want to stitch?

If it's daily, you want to make sure you have a larger piece of fabric to work with or draw your quadrants larger if you're using that format.

What's your goal? Do you just want to embroider? Are you trying to develop your skills overall or focusing on a few key stitches?

A more free form type of journal might be better if you're thinking of focusing on one stitch or a few techniques.

What do you want to do with the finished piece?

A bound journal, which you can make on your own if you can't find one online, might be a better option if you don't want to share the piece with anyone else or if you want it to feel like an actual journal. Other formats, like the quadrant style, are designed to be in a hoop or displayed.

A stitch journal isn't really all that different from a written journal; it's whatever the person keeping it wants it to be. I've experienced every emotion possible while adding entries to this stitch journal. I've tried new stitches. I've tried new techniques and layering. It's whatever I want it to be at the time I'm working on it and that's really all that matters. Have fun and happy stitch journaling!

Here's this week's recap: