- $125
Make Fabric Meditation Books
- Course
- 41 Lessons
“I absolutely loved this course, Emma. It was wonderful for me. It was the one thing that helped me get a daily creative flow going and I’ve not stopped...It was like coming home for me. I now have a big pile of books I've made on my altar and I can remember each and every moment of where I stitched each one. I have often meant to email you to let you know how much you changed my life and helped me find my creative heart. Having a daily creative practice has been priceless to me.”
-past student
“I haven't done any kind of hand stitching in a long time (and even what I had previously done was fairly minimal, not to mention viewed as somewhat of a chore). This class, and your approach, introduced me to a very freeing, exhilarating, and imaginative way of interacting with fabric and needle-and-thread! Your gentle, encouraging, enthusiastic, and generous teaching style is such a gift to experience.”
-Nicole
Slow down and create beautiful soft books with your hands.
Gather scraps of fabric, threads and yarn that you enjoy and explore this intuitive art making practice with me.
In this class, learn how to:
Bind fabric books in a variety of simple ways by hand
Simple, accessible approaches to meditative stitching
Collaborate with nature within the books with stones, feathers, burying, sacred smoke & more
Slow down and be mindful as you stitch
Listen to your intuition as a creative guide
Process emotions as you sit quietly and stitch
Connect with and feel into the subtle energies of the materials to deepen the creative process
In this class, I invite you to go outside and find stones, leaves to invite the spirit of nature into your books.
"I'm working with the intention of 'bound grief'. I used some found pieces of nature from the creek near my home and some Japanese vintage fabrics. This was very cathartic for me."
-Michelle
Beautiful Books Made by Students:
Irene (Scotland)
Irene (Scotland)
Irene (Scotland)
JoAnna
Kathy
Kathy
Kathy
Julie
Julie
Julie
Charlou
Charlou
Ann
Ann
Fran
Fran
Marilyn
Oli (England)
Oli (England)
Oli (England)
Oli (England)
Michelle (Japan)
Michelle (Japan)
Michelle (Japan)
Michelle (Japan)
Oli (England)
Kylie
Joy (South Africa)
Joy (South Africa)
Cindy
Class Content You Receive Lifetime Access to:
(Over 30 short videos you can watch as many times as you'd like to)
Creating the Book Structure
Possibilities for Pages
Deconstruct/Reconstruct
Inspiration & Reflection
Thank You & Share Your Work
Testimonials from Students
"Emma's fabric meditation class is easy to follow for beginners as well as more advanced students. I'm kind of in between. Embroidering books has been very helpful for me creatively just to see where the thread and needle take me. It's also been healing to help process emotions like grief after my mother-in-law passed, and angst about the state of my country before and after the US Presidential election.
I love that I can do fabric meditation books whenever and wherever I go, as long as I have my craft bag with me. It's portable AND it allows me to respond directly to nature around me in a new way. If I see pretty bark I can incorporate it into my book! Thank you for this unique creative class!"
- Denise
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"I learned so much from this class and I have a lot of ideas to make more fabric books. The biggest lesson however was the fact that my sewing hasn’t to be perfect. I now enjoy the process of creating much more and let go the idea of perfection. Thanks Emma."
-past student
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"I love your whole ethos…I rush at life and much passes in a speedy blur so I want to embrace this."-past student
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“I loved your class! Thank you for bringing your art and kind teaching style to us. I started a new book today. I found an old pair of my Dad’s jeans. He died two years ago and working with his fabric-well, wow. What a very cool practice. Thank you.”
-Jane
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"I love the class and the books. So spiritual and healing. Just looking at the books makes my heart sing! I will use this class over and over. I’m waiting for my granddaughter to get a bit older so I can teach her as well!"
-Sandra
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“It has been years since I have felt like I am living art. This process is nourishing, organic and keeps catching and holding me with its sweet embrace of safety, envelopment and deep flow. It feel delicious and divine with each and every stitch and time I choose to engage with the work!!! I LOVE everything about this process, the colors, texture, fabric stitching and the small size. Give me all of it.”
-Lynn
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“Emma's workshop on meditation fabric book's was fantastic. She had an in-depth knowledge of the materials used, sharing different options for participants to take away the best fit for them. The workshop was a great balance between seeing inspirational books as ideas, and the hands on making component. I have been able to continue working on books from what I learned. Emma's calm and supportive approach made the workshop a treasured and magical time - so happy to have discovered this practice through her workshop, true balm to the soul.”
-Deborah
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“So nice to learn about new book structures. Wait, fabric books? Why not? My mom taught me to sew years ago, and she'd be so excited to know that in my late 50's I'm still learning and loving the art of sewing. Thank you Emma!” -past student
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"I feel my heart full of contentment to be moving forward on this path."
-past student
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"Thank you Emma - What beauty your work and words have seeded in my heart, such resonance and tranquility...germinating threads and balm for my spirit...sweet medicine...your work has energy of wise ancestors - I can feel it deep in my bones. Gratitude for your sharing, teaching and these offerings."
-past student
Hi, I'm Emma Freeman.
I'm a contemplative mixed media artist, poet and enthusiastic art teacher.
Art making has always been my sanctuary—a space where I can slow down, create beauty, listen to my mind and heart, play, experiment, ask questions, feel joy and experience wonderful connections. I love color, pattern, texture and emotional expression through art making.
I believe creative expression is love in action. I love creating with other people and sharing what we make from a place of joy, care and warmth. Show and tell is one of my favorite activities!
I am a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), sober, Buddhist and live in Wisconsin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I access this class after I purchase it?
You will have access indefinitely, 24/7 so you can come and go as you please at whatever pace feels best for you.
How long do you recommend I spend on this class?
That is completely up to you and how you prefer to learn. You could think of it as a mini art retreat and do the whole class over a weekend or space out the lessons across 6 or 8 weeks or longer. You can decide what feels best for you!
I have never done embroidery or stitching before. Can I take this class?
Yes! This class is open to all levels of experience with embroidery and stitching. If you have never picked up a needle and thread, you will be able to follow along easily. If you do have previous experience, that's great too.
Where should I find fabric if I don't have a stash to work with?
First, I suggest looking around your home to see what fabric you have that you might use. It could be clothing, rags, scarves, dish towels, napkins...anything made of fabric that you like the colors, patterns, texture and/or personal connections to. That is a great place to start.
I also love to go to thrift stores and antique malls to find fabric because there is so much to choose from and often the fabric is soft from having a life already. I recommend wandering through the home goods area with napkins, tablecloths, dish towels, pillow cases and bed sheets as well as the clothing section and making it a fun scavenger hunt to see if you can find one piece that you think is beautiful to use for your book in this class.
Flea markets, Etsy and fabric stores are great sources too. Keep it simple and try not to get overwhelmed. Choose one or two fabrics to start and you can add on from there if you wish as your book evolves.
What kind of thread do you recommend I start with?
I suggest keeping it simple and starting with 1-2 colors of cotton sewing thread or Japanese sashiko thread. You can go to this Etsy shop that I love if you're looking for a place to buy Japanese threads.
Always feel free to experiment and play with any threads you want to try and let your curiosity guide you! I am always happy to help if you have questions about specific threads.
What ages is this class open to?
I think this class is great for adults but also teenagers who are able to handle a needle and thread can participate.
Do you offer refunds?
No I do not, so be sure to read through the description of the class and reach out if you have any questions before you purchase the class. You can email me at freeman.emma@gmail.com.
What if I need support during the class?
I'm here to support you! You can leave questions, comments or images of your work within each lesson and I will respond to help support you as you work through the class. You can also email me at any time at freeman.emma@gmail.com.