Top 10 Lessons from the Making Zen Artists

Hosting the Making Zen Online Retreat has been one of the most rewarding parts of my creative journey. Each retreat brings together a diverse group of artists from around the world—each with their own story, philosophy, and soulful way of working with their hands.

As the retreat host, I’ve had the privilege of chatting one-on-one with many of these artists, collecting little nuggets of wisdom that linger long after our conversations end.

Something beautiful has become clear through these gatherings: these artists aren’t just teaching techniques—they’re sharing ways of being.

Tune into this playlist to hear my full conversations with the artists, and read on for 10 of the most powerful lessons we’ve learned together.

1. Embrace the Wobbles

Perfection is overrated. In fact, it’s often the wobbles, the irregular lines, and the crooked stitches that breathe life into handmade work. Many artists spoke of “happy mistakes” when I chatted with them - those unexpected turns that lead to something more meaningful than what was planned.

"I think the 'happy mistakes' is part of the appeal with watercolour paintings, and the more organic, and the less perfect... and messy, I really like those. I don't like it when it's too... neat, and - I don't want it to look to perfect." - Margeaux Davis

"I think one of the biggest keys for kind of really tapping into your highest creative self is letting go of perfectionism." - Liz Kettle

When we let go of the idea that things need to be perfect, we make room for playfulness, growth, and joy.

2. Make Friends with ‘What If’

“What if I tried this instead?” is a deceptively simple question that can unlock entire worlds.

"I'm always, you know, of the mindset: try it. It's just needle and thread. See what happens - if it doesn't work, darn, you gotta stitch that fun lil' motif one more time!" - Blair Stocker

The artists reminded us that curiosity is a form of courage. Trying something new, even if it might not work, keeps the creative spirit alive. Whether you're combining materials in a new way or veering off a pattern completely, honouring your “what if” moments is a powerful act of trust in yourself and your creativity.

3. Materials Are Collaborators

Rather than seeing fabric and thread as tools to control, many artists described their materials as partners. They spoke of moments where a certain scrap “called out,” or when stitching revealed an unexpected path forward. Many talked about the tactile joy of different materials.

"It's really fun and also a little bit magical, because that wool is all fluffy and loose, and when you use hot water, soap, and rubbing and rolling and that kind of thing, it also magically changes to something else - it becomes firm, and something you can stitch on. That's a very special feeling." - Mirjam Gielen

"The fabric is a huge inspiration for what I do as well. I have loads of fabric and people are constantly giving me interesting little bits and pieces, and often times, that will inspire me just as much as the birds do." - Ann Smith

Working with your hands becomes a kind of conversation—between your intuition, your history, and the materials in front of you.

4. Stitching is Self-Care

If you're reading, there's a good chance you agree that stitching is more than a craft; it’s a daily grounding practice. A few artists compared it to journaling or meditation.

"I think that these work out a lot like morning pages for me. I sit down and I think about things and make a little composition, I get my artist on, and - it's just very soothing." - Jen Strauser

The simple act of pulling needle through cloth can calm the nervous system, focus the mind, and create space to process emotions. Even ten minutes of slow stitching in the morning can shift the tone of an entire day and bring you back in touch with your creative side.

5. Give Yourself Permission

Permission is a powerful thing—and it doesn’t need to come from anyone else. Again and again, we heard artists say: “Make what you want to make.” Use that old bedsheet. Stitch something just for yourself. Scrap the rules if they don’t serve you.

"If you read about that topic, you know, about art and fear and trying to get rid of your artist blocks and things... It's what they talk about. You've just got to play, you've got to release yourself from those shackles of 'having to do it' - you've got to just sit and play." - Ruth Woods

Creativity thrives in freedom, not pressure. Give yourself the green light.

6. Slow Down to Tune In

In a fast-paced world, the act of making slowly can feel radical. Slow stitching is an invitation to notice, to be present with your breath, your body, your thoughts. It’s about savouring the process instead of rushing to the end. Artists shared how slowing down helped them hear their own creative voice more clearly, and reconnect with a deeper sense of purpose.

"I'm not very Zen... I mean I'm pretty anxious, and I live a very fast life. So, maybe this is the reason I like slow stitching so much... because there's no pressure, there's no deadline... I can stitch whatever I like." - Giovanna Zara

Slow stitching, then, becomes more than just a creative act—it’s a quiet rebellion, a way to reclaim time, presence, and meaning in the midst of a hurried world. 

7. Walk Away When You Need To

Stuck? Frustrated? Tired? Sometimes the kindest thing you can do for your creativity - and your body - is step away. Several artists spoke about the importance of knowing when to pause—when to take a walk, make a cup of tea, or sleep on it.

"There's such a power to trying some chair yoga and some gentle yoga movements - just simple things that you can do mid-knitting, like just stop for a second and shake out your hands. It's little stuff like that that can revolutionize your knitting, that can allow you to knit for longer. Because as I get older, the aches and pains are coming, the knitting does start to hurt after a little while, and I really wanted to be able to share with people that you don't have to be able to touch your toes or do a headstand to be able to practice yoga, and it can be a game-changer for knitters and makers alike." - Liza Laird

Breaks aren’t a sign of failure. Often, they’re a necessity to keep your making hands healthy!

8. Let Go of “Sew-Jo” Guilt

We all go through periods when our creativity feels distant. It’s easy to panic or feel like you’ve lost your “sew-jo.” But as many artists reminded us, creativity ebbs and flows. It’s cyclical, like the seasons. Guilt doesn’t help—but gentleness does. Setting parameters for yourself can help get your creativity flowing again, too!

"The kind of walls of your container are those parameters of like, 'five minutes' or 'I'm only using the colour blue,' 'I'm only, you know, using this size,' or restricting the size of something you're working on. And those parameters help you to do something, because I know for myself, as a younger artist, I was really paralyzed by the idea of a blank canvas or I could do whatever I want... So those I find really comforting, those walls of the container help me to move forward." - Andrea Tsang Jackson

Trust that the spark will return, and allow yourself to rest or play in the meantime.

9. Stories Live in Fabric

Old shirts. Worn linens. Scraps passed down through generations. There’s something deeply emotional about working with fabric that holds memory. Several artists spoke about how meaningful it is to incorporate pieces of the past into their work.

"There's also the sharing of the cloth as well, isn't there? Like cloth either comes from someone special, or you'll share a beautiful piece of fabric with someone else..." - Kate Ward

Even when you're starting from scratch, what you make becomes part of your story—and maybe someone else's too.

10. Making Can Change Your Life

Perhaps the most powerful lesson of all: making matters. Stitching has helped artists move through grief, connect with others, rediscover joy, and feel more grounded in their bodies. It’s more than a hobby—it’s a way of mending, both cloth and spirit. Bit by bit, thread by thread, it can transform not just what we make, but how we live.

"I couldn't do both - I couldn't grow into my career and also spend time with the children, and to be honest, I wasn't even spending that much time with the children. So that was, I think, the reason that I felt really frustrated, so for me, I wanted to find something to kind of help me deal with that frustration and the struggle I was having at the time. And then through that, then it kind of showed me a new path. And the moment I saw the light, I was like 'I'm going! There's no going back, I'm gonna make this work 'cause I'm not going to the office ever again.'" - Isabella Strambio

While you may not be in the market for a career change, making with your hands can shed a light on many aspects of your life, even if it's just about getting more in tune with mindfulness.

Dive Deeper with Making Zen

I hope these lessons offer you a new perspective, or a gentle reminder that your creativity is uniquely yours.

If this resonates, join us for the next Making Zen Online Retreat, happening May 26–30, 2025. It will be a week of stitching, stories, and soulful exploration with artists from around the globe. 

Until then: keep making, keep mending, and keep trusting your intuition.