The ‘Getting Started’Workbook

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The ‘Getting Started’ Workbook Use this workbook each time you start a creative session. It will help you make a clear plan and empower you to get started without procrastinating.

How much time do you have available for this session? Example: 60 minutes

What is your goal for the session? Remember, start small – your goal should not be to create a world class masterpiece.

It should be simple, specific and attainable within the time you have available for this session. If you are working towards a larger goal (a wall hanging or textile sculpture for example), break it down into as many tiny tasks as possible and use this session to achieve just one of those tasks.

Example: To experiment with three possible ways of creating texture to represent rose petals using hand stitch.

The ‘Getting Started’ Workbook A freebie from TextileArtist.org

Which techniques will you use to achieve your goal? A great way to get started is to limit the number of techniques you use so you aren’t overwhelmed by the possibilities.

It can be a good idea if you are coming back to your practice after a long break to use just one simple technique; you’ll be forced to be inventive and maybe discover new ways of using the technique you hadn’t previously considered. Be as specific as you can; instead of ‘hand stitch’ name the particular stitches you will use.

Example: Back stitch, stem stitch, French knots

Which materials and tools will you use to achieve your goal? Again, if you have struggled to get started previously, think like a minimalist for now even if that is not your natural mind set.

To begin with, use the minimum amount of materials and tools possible to achieve your goal and gradually become more ambitious as you find yourself becoming ‘unstuck’.

Example: A piece of linen background fabric, three shades of pink stranded cotton, a sewing needle

The ‘Getting Started’ Workbook A freebie from TextileArtist.org

What else do you need available? Are you working from research? An image or ideas you’ve sketched out?

Your goal for a previous session might have been to find an image to work from and brainstorm ideas around it.

Example: The photo of the rose bush in my back garden and my sketchbook.

What distractions do you need to eliminate before you begin? Example: Ask Roger to not disturb me for an hour, turn off my laptop and turn my phone to silent.

At the end of the session, jot down your thoughts and make some notes about how you might take an idea forward next time. Example: Stem stitch works well for the desired effect. Next time I’d like to overlay a darker shade of pink thread to give more depth to the texture.

The ‘Getting Started’ Workbook A freebie from TextileArtist.org