Exploring Colour, Creativity, and New Directions
Quote: "Let your stitches wander, your colours bloom, and your creativity surprise you." – Anonymous
Exploring Colour, Creativity, and New Directions
Sometimes, the journey of a passion is not a straight line; it’s full of experiments, surprises, and lessons along the way.
After introducing my hand-dyed, colourful fabrics, I quickly learned that not everyone was ready for them. At the time, most stitchers still worked on white or natural toiles and often used traditional red thread. Some stitchers, hungry for something different, were immediately drawn to my vibrant fabrics. Others, more traditional, hesitated, unsure how to combine colours or afraid of making “mistakes.”
Nowadays, colourful toiles are a natural part of modern stitching, but back then, it was a bold step. I realised that innovation doesn’t always start easy, but when it reaches the right audience, it can truly change the game.
After a few years of experimenting with hand-dyed fabrics and adding threads to my collections, I felt a new pull: to understand colour more deeply. I enrolled in a two-year Chromotherapy course in Paris, learning about the symbolism of each colour and how their vibrations can support body and soul through coloured light. I qualified in February 2020, after running my creative business for 14 years, feeling ready to evolve while staying in the world of colour. And then… the pandemic happened, pausing my plans for a physical practice and forcing me to rethink my path.
Challenges often inspire new ideas. With stitchers stuck at home, eager to keep busy, I created two monthly subscription boxes of hand-dyed fabrics and threads. The response was incredible. Not only did it keep my customers happy and inspired, but it also allowed my business to evolve in a positive way, despite the limitations of the time.
This busy period also became a time for learning new techniques. With subscriptions and regular ranges to maintain, I experimented with new threads, toiles, and colours. I pushed my creativity further than ever, discovering new ways to create and combine shades. Constant exploration and stimulation by colour became a driving force in my work.
Even now, the joy of discovering something new, whether a colour, a technique, or a combination, remains one of the things I love most about running Tom & Lily Creations. This period taught me that growth often comes from curiosity, experimentation, and the courage to try something different.
Happy Stitching!
