Gypsy Inspired Slow Stitch Book

Introduction and Preparation

This project is the fourth in my year long Inspired slow stitch book series.

We began with the Japanese Inspired Slow Stitch Book in 2023, followed by the Circle Inspired Slow Stitch Book in 2024, and then Fuxico Inspired Slow Stitch Book in 2025. Each one has grown in its own way, shaped by the hands and stories of those taking part.

This year, our inspiration comes from a love story between two young Romany travellers.

Each month, I will share the next part of their story, along with a few gentle ideas to help you explore your own way of slow stitching. For this project, each double page spread will also include a simple interactive element – something that opens, lifts, turns, or reveals. These will be suggested ideas only, and you are always free to adapt them, simplify them, or ignore them completely.

Over time, your pages will begin to reflect not just the story we are sharing, but your own rhythm and choices - encouraging you to develop your own personal style of slow stitching.

Towards the end of the year, we will look at ways to bring all our pages together into a bound book. By then, we will be holding something very special in our hands. A book that carries both our creative journey, and the unfolding story of these two young travellers.

Preparing Your Pages

To begin the Gypsy Inspired Slow Stitch Book year long project, start by preparing all your pages in advance.

There are ten chapters, so you will need ten double page spreads.

Each page is a single piece of fabric, folded in half.

My book is 5 inches square, so each page is cut to 5 inches tall by 10 inches wide.
You can make yours any size you like, just keep the same proportions.

I am using medium weight calico. This fabric forms the base of each page and will be completely covered with other fabrics as you stitch. Try to avoid fabrics that fray heavily, as they do not cope well with lots of hand stitching.

Cut all your pages to size, then iron a firm fold down the centre to create your double page spreads.

Once this is done, your pages are ready. When each new chapter is released at the beginning of the month, you can simply sit down and start stitching.

Kizzi and Nuri

"Kizzy was seventeen the spring she first noticed Nuri.

They met at the Spring Horse Fair. Horses stamping. Voices calling. Smoke drifting from cooking fires. The ground hard beneath their feet.

Kizzy wore flowers in her hair. Oxlips and stitchwort, picked early that morning, before the camp stirred.

Nuri was not from her people. His family had come from the south, their wagons painted green and gold. Kettles swung from the back, enamel chipped and shining.

From the beginning, it was not simple...."

I invite you to come and join me in Kizzy and Nuri’s story

a year of slow stitching, with space to develop your own style along the way

And now it's time to start gathering 'The Stash'!

Start gathering bits of fabric and small treasures for your pages. Old jewellery, odd earrings, scraps of ribbon and trim, sari silk, worn ties. Bring them together in a box or basket and let it slowly fill.

If you are new to this way of working, here is a tutorial that might help you: Building Your Stash - where to find it

My 'Gypsy Inspired Slow Stitch Book' work basket

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