overlockers - Artisan Stitch

Sewing for Mental Health: How Stitching Supports Your Wellbeing

Post author By Jen Skedd
Post date May 19, 2025

Sewing for mental Health. A smiling woman sitting at her sewing machine — Sewing for Mental Health. How stitching supports your wellbeing

“Sewing for mental health” might sound like a trend, but in truth, it’s a time-tested way to improve emotional wellbeing, build resilience, and connect with others through creativity. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s easy to forget to take time for yourself. But carving out a little space in your week to sew can do far more than help you finish that cushion cover or shift dress — it can have a profound impact on your mental and physical wellbeing.

At Artisan Stitch in Edinburgh, we see it every day. Our sewing classes aren’t just about learning to thread a machine or perfect a French seam — they’re little pockets of calm, creativity, and community. Here’s why sewing is so good for the soul.

Beginners Sewing, Dressmaking, overlockers, sewing, textile art, workshops

Tags how to sew, how to use a sewing machine, learn to sew, sewing classes, sewing classes edinburgh, Sewing Classes for Beginners, sewing for mental health, textile art, upcycling projects, workshops edinburgh

Sewing Sustainably: A Stitch Towards a Greener Future

Post author By Jen Skedd
Post date September 9, 2024

Sewing sustainably. Image shows a pile of deadstock fabric rolls destined for landfill.

In recent years, sustainability has become a hot topic in the fashion and crafting worlds. Whether you’re a seasoned sewist or a beginner with a needle and thread, learning to sew sustainably can have a lasting, positive impact on the environment. By making mindful choices, you can reduce waste, upcycle materials, and craft unique, long-lasting garments that are both beautiful and eco-friendly. Here are some top tips to make sure you’re sewing sustainably:

Beginners Sewing, Dressmaking, overlockers, sewing, textile art, workshops

Tags recycle, reduce, reduce waste, reuse, sewing for the planet, sustainable sewing, what is deadstock

Beginners’ Guide to Overlockers

Post author By Jen Skedd
Post date January 21, 2021
9 Comments on Beginners’ Guide to Overlockers

Beginners Guide to Overlockers.

Overlockers used to be a little known tool limited to factories, professional dressmakers or very keen amateurs. But probably because of exposure on TV programmes and social media, they’ve experienced an explosion in popularity in the last few years. They are now very much an essential tool for many home sewers. However, they’re not so easy to use ‘out the box’ than sewing machines and require the user to develop a whole new set of skills. Not surprisingly, there’s a lot of confusion about their use. I’ve written this Beginners’ guide to overlockers to answer many of the most common questions and dispel the myths. Note: In the USA, overlockers are known as sergers.

Dressmaking, overlockers

Tags guide to overlockers, overlocker tutorial, what is an overlocker

Juki MO-644D Overlocker review

Post author By Jen Skedd
Post date May 4, 2020
3 Comments on Juki MO-644D Overlocker review

When it was time to buy a new overlocker for the studio, there was only one place I was going to go. And that of course was Pembertons, my trusted specialist supplier for almost 30 years. So after considering my requirements: Andrew recommended the Juki MO-644D. I then spent a fun 90 mins putting it through its paces.