Sweet Repose by Anna Scott

Most people will agree that life in the 21st Century can at times feel stressful. The pace of life seems to increase every year as we are assailed by more and more technology, some of us are facing greater pressures at work, increased worries about the world and unending demands on our attention.

A by-product of all of this means that at times many can experience an underlying feeling of anxiety, wondering when or if we are ever going to get the opportunity to simply slow down and relax.

Relaxing might feel like a dream for many, but in fact rest and relaxation is vital for our health, both physical and mental. The human body is not tuned to deal with endless stress and it can protest loudly to its owner by manifesting in unpleasant outcomes such as high blood pressure, headaches, insomnia and a multitude of mental health issues including depression and anxiety.

In the midst of being all consumed by the whirlwind of life, it can seem impossible to find those few minutes to relax each day.

As embroiderers, we’re all aware of how beneficial stitching can be as it encourages mindfulness and focus, however sometimes what we really need is just rest.

Relaxing in a chair or on the sofa, with a soft pillow supporting your back or head, and time to meditate, breathe or visualize without the distraction of any activity is often the best antidote to stress.

All of the experts seem to agree that the combination of mindfulness and relaxation are vital to our continued health and wellbeing. So perhaps it isn’t much of a stretch to say that if you can achieve the mindfulness stage through the creation of a project which will, when complete, encourage the relaxation stage, then you’ve succeeded on two fronts.

Sweet Repose by Anna Scott from Inspirations issue #107 is therefore an incredibly timely project and a perfect solution to this dual requirement.

If one begins with the stitching, it is clear how this exquisite project will encourage that heavenly state of mindfulness. Worked on soft ivory linen, the greens, pinks and yellows are wonderfully relaxing on the eye.

The Jacobean-style spray of flowers is worked in crewel wool and employs a range of crewel stitches, none of which are so complicated they add further stress, but all of which require gentle, focused concentration to get just right.

Once you have worked Anna’s glorious design, the project can then be made up into a cushion using complimentary fabric that highlights the soft combination of pink and green and is beautifully finished with green piping.

Completed, it then serves to encourage the second phase of the process – relaxation. Sweet Repose is the perfect size for resting on, with the perfect colour combination and perfect, soft, tactility to ensure you take those important moments just for yourself.

As much as we wish we could, we are unable to take away all of the stress of the modern world. However, what we can do is offer you one way to navigate and take control of it yourself.

Anna’s wonderful crewel cushion provides the double gift of mindfulness and relaxation. Let the cacophony of 2020 fade into the background, even if just for a few minutes, and give your mind and body the care they deserve.

Make Your Own Sweet Repose

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Sweet Repose by Anna Scott is a beautiful crewel cushion with coordinating print cotton panels.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Sweet Repose includes everything* you need to re-create this gorgeous cushion: Fabrics (unprinted), zip, piping cord, embroidery threads and needles.

*Please Note: To cater for flexibility of purchase, instructions are not included with our kits. For step-by-step directions on how to create this project, please refer to the magazine/digital pattern.