Love to cross stitch, but feel like life gets in the way sometimes? 

You’re not alone! 

With so many demands on our time, it often seems like there just aren’t enough hours in the day for all our stitchy plans.

Unfortunately, we can’t wave a magic wand to create extra time. But there are a few crafty ways to sneak more stitching opportunities into those precious 24 hours.

Make the most of longer summer days with our top tips to maximize every minute. 

So grab a sunhat, slap on that sunscreen, and get ready to have a super- stitchy summer. We’re ready… are you?

STOP THE SCROLL

Think about how many minutes you spend on social media every day – could this time be spent more productively? With constant notifications, it’s easy to get drawn into endlessly checking for updates. After all, these apps are designed to be addictive, so it’s no wonder that we spend so much time using them.

In an average day, you probably have more “pockets” of downtime than you realize. How often do you grab your phone to fill these moments? 

Luckily, cross stitch is a hobby that’s relatively easy to fit into daily life. With no lengthy setup required, a project can be easily picked up whenever you have a few minutes to spare. 

Don’t wait for a free afternoon to get stuck into your stitching. For every 15 minutes spent scrolling through Instagram, you could be completing a little more of your current WIP (Work In Progress). All those tiny Xs add up!

MULTITASKING 

Feel more productive by combining your favorite hobbies. The beauty of cross stitch is that it requires just enough concentration to distract your mind from day-to-day worries while simultaneously allowing you to enjoy other activities.

Love to read? Try switching to audio books so you can stitch and enjoy a good book at the same time. You’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll get through that chunky novel!

Podcasts are a great way to keep up with news or topics you’re interested in, without having to focus on watching a screen.

And if you’ve been meaning to catch up with a friend, why not use a hands- free headset to stitch and chat? You could even sit outside and catch some rays while you’re at it! 

SCHEDULE YOUR STITCHING

In a fast-paced world, it’s all too easy to get caught up in a never-ending cycle of stress. Constantly juggling work demands with domestic chores, family commitments and general “life admin” can feel like there’s no room left for anything else. 

When you’re under pressure and facing a monumental to-do list, it’s difficult to prioritize your own hobbies or schedule time out for yourself. 

But setting aside daily time to unwind is vital for our mental and physical wellbeing in order to avoid burnout. 

In reality, there’s no point waiting for time to magically appear – you need to make it happen! 

So, if you’re struggling to find the time, why not schedule it into your diary? Maybe a stitching hour every Sunday, or 20 minutes each night before bed – whatever works best for you. 

Taking time out to cross stitch – even for just five minutes – can be a useful mindfulness exercise to reduce anxiety. Don’t feel guilty about it – it’s important to recharge, and we all know you can’t pour from an empty cup! 

ON-THE-GO KIT 

What’s the key to more cross stitching time?

Always be prepared! Mini kits are ideal for on-the-go stitching – whether you’re in a waiting room, at the park, or even on your lunch break at work. 

If you’re normally a fan of larger designs, you’ll find it refreshing to mix things up with some quick-and-easy projects that are compact enough to whip out just about anywhere. 

Keep a small kit in your bag at all times, and you’ll always be able to squeeze a bit of extra stitching time into your day.

And don’t forget to stash one in the car passenger seat to spice up those summer road trips or unexpected traffic delays! 

STITCH IN THE SUN 

Cross stitching is an activity that can be enjoyed anywhere – whether you’re at home or away. So, if you’re venturing off on vacation this year, don’t forget to pack a project or two! 

Bright, colorful designs are ideal for getting in the summer mood. It’s fun to choose a new project for each trip so that, once complete, it’ll always remind you of those happy times.

How about a little in-flight stitching? Most airlines will allow small embroidery scissors and needles to be carried on board. If in doubt, cheap thread cutters are a great alternative – and you won’t mind too much if you lose them.

Whether you’re an al fresco stitcher or prefer to be safely tucked up indoors, we hope these tips have inspired you to get stitching this summer. 

With a little organization, there are lots of ways to sneak more cross stitch into your day. 

Perhaps you'd like to begin a new project with one of our latest fabrics from the new Summer Collection? From the patriotic American Sunset to a classic Monet Mirage, there's a design available to cater for many of the moments of the season. Perhaps you'd like to stitch on our Beach Towel fabric whilst chilling on the beach, or relaxing with our July by the Lake? We hope you can enjoy our fabrics and wish you a fantastic summer ahead!

All that’s left to decide is: which project will you begin first?