N&T: Meditative Twinchie

I was introduced to the concept of meditative stitching by @mgallardo68 through a swap she offered in her International Small Swaps group. I love the idea of stitching a small piece of something simply to unwind, relax and follow the muse. Her swap, in fact, inspired me to found this group because I know, even if I couldn't do anything else worthwhile with a needle and thread, I can enjoy doing this. I'm hoping others who may be intimidated by the thought of hand stitching will find courage in this, as well.

Please watch this instructional video of Liz Kettle demonstrating the process.

Assuming others enjoy this, I will host a series of these swaps with more partners. Eventually we may gather enough meditative twinchies to make a charming patched sampler. For consistency, I'm establishing two boundaries:

1) Your foundation piece must be a felt square, and

2) Your felt square must be a twinchie (2" X 2")

Aside from that, you're free to do whatever your heart desires. You can, but are not required to, incorporate paper (I've found I like adding bits of Gelli prints on deli paper), beads, charms, et cetera. Because you may be mailing a twinchie to someone in a country with strict customs regulations, do not add organic materials to your piece until partners are assigned and you are certain your partner will be able to receive it.

PLEASE NOTE: As I've been working on these I've come to realize that the perfect little two-inch squares you begin with sometimes morph into not-so-perfect, not-so-two-inch squarish shapes by the end of the project. Because of that, do not rate your partner down if the twinchie you receive is not perfectly sized with sharp, ninety-degree-angle corners.

P. S. The ones I have cut to size after the sewing has been completed are more accurate. It's also more tricky to make them this way. I found that placing a two-inch cardboard template over the finished piece and cutting around that worked well. So, cutting your piece out after it's done is a suggestion but not a requirement. Bottom line, shoot for accuracy but forgive (and appreciate) imperfections.

P. P. S. The back of your twinchie does not need to be finished or looking good.

Guidelines:

• You will have one partner.

• You will send your partner one twinchie.

• Your twinchie will begin with a felt foundation.

• Your twinchie will represent one meditative stitching session.

• Include your username and swap title in the swap package.