From Bristol to the Big Octopus: My Journey with the Humble Needle.
- Lizzie Barnes
- Mar 5
- 3 min read
If you had told me back in 2018 that I’d be running hand embroidery workshops in Bristol, I might have laughed.
My journey actually started at a workshop in Bristol, where I was split between hand embroidery and lino carving. To be honest? I preferred the lino.
Embroidery felt a bit too precious for me; I didn't see that instant neatness I thought I needed. I kept it on the side of my project pile, occasionally dabbling in small things like Christmas cards and present labels, but it hadn't quite hooked me yet.
The moment I started to give it more love was when I made special, bespoke presents for family and friends. There is something magic about creating a one of a kind birth date hoop or an engagement piece. After making an engagement hoop for a Uni friend, she commissioned me for eight floral initial hoops for her bridesmaids and "Mr. and Mrs." hoops.
Suddenly, my Instagram became my portfolio. The more I shared, the more commissions flew in. But more importantly, the more I stitched, the more I started to ask: “Can I make this? Can I embroider onto that?”
From creating a denim jacket for my boyfriend’s sister - featuring a painstakingly hand-stitched woodland floor scene - to experimenting with textures, I realised that once you master the basics, the world is your canvas.
The Giant Octopus and the "Meditative Colour-In".
We’ve all seen the jaw-dropping artists online, like the person I saw who embroidered an entire ocean of tiny flowers onto a tablecloth. That scale inspired me. I had done 10-inch, 12-inch, even A3 pieces, but I was finishing them in a week or two. It wasn't enough!
So, while working a "bored-out-of-my-mind" office job, I started my Octopus.
He is A1 size - the size of a flipchart! The whole thing is simple stitching, essentially "colouring in" with thread. I took him everywhere: family gatherings, commutes, markets, and workshops. He became a conversation starter and a way to show people that embroidery isn’t just "something your Nan did" or a hobby that requires impossible patience.
It’s just meditative, slow-motion art.
Why Embroidery is Cool.
I’ll say it: Embroidery is cool.
It’s expressive and it can be just as impactful as any piece of painted art in a gallery.
But most importantly? It is a powerhouse for mental health. If my mind is racing or I’m heading into a negative headspace before school, I make sure I sit down for at least 20 minutes of stitching. It works. It calms the noise in the same way running or yoga does.
Join the Club
That’s exactly why I started running affordable, accessible workshops in Bristol. I want to break down the idea that embroidery has to be "perfect" or "precious." I want to help you:
Support your mental health.
Scratch that creative itch.
Find a totally outside-the-box outlet.
There are no rules here. Not really. Once you get a handle on the basics, the rest is up to you. You’ll get things wrong, you’ll make some awful pieces, and that is exactly where the magic happens.
I love embroidery. It’s old-fashioned, it’s modern, and it’s everything in between. I really hope you’ll join me and see for yourself.
Shop my quick kits and get your creative flow going!
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