Following the Shade: Sewing Through a Summer Heatwave

There is something rather lovely about summer arriving properly. The garden is in full bloom, the days seem to stretch on forever and the sunshine invites us outside with a cup of tea and a little quiet stitching.

But if you're a maker, you'll know that creating during a heatwave comes with its own set of challenges!

Trying to concentrate on a sewing project when the temperature is soaring can be surprisingly difficult. Fabrics seem to cling to your hands, threads have a mind of their own and even our trusty needles and scissors can become warm to the touch. A piece of fabric draped across your lap suddenly feels like an extra blanket, and detailed stitching requires far more concentration than usual.

Then there are the practicalities. Hands become a little sweaty, making it harder to grip a needle or guide fabric smoothly under the sewing machine. Threads can tangle more easily and anyone who enjoys hand embroidery knows that warm hands and delicate threads are not always the best combination.

The heat also affects our energy levels. Tasks that would normally take an hour can seem to take twice as long because our brains simply don't want to focus in high temperatures. Creativity doesn't disappear, but it certainly slows down.

Of course, many people will suggest taking your stitching into the garden, and when there is a lovely shady spot that can be absolutely wonderful. However, not all of us can sit in direct sunshine for long periods, whether for medical reasons or simply because our bodies don't cope well with the heat.

I often find myself doing what many of you probably do too—following the shade around the garden. One chair under the tree in the morning, another tucked beside a hedge after lunch, and perhaps a few minutes on the patio as the evening cools. The garden becomes a gentle game of musical chairs!

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to keep creating during hot weather:

• Work on smaller projects that don't leave lots of fabric sitting on your lap.

• Choose hand stitching or simple tasks that don't require intense concentration.

• Keep a cool drink nearby and take regular breaks.

• Stitch earlier in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are kinder.

• Keep a small towel handy for warm hands and consider using a lap tray rather than holding everything directly against you.

• Most importantly, be kind to yourself. Creativity doesn't need to be rushed.

Here at Eau Brink Studio, we are very fortunate to have air-conditioning. It means that when the shade disappears from the garden or the heat becomes a little too much, I can retreat into the cool of the studio and continue creating in comfort.

Sometimes that's exactly what summer making is all about—adapting, slowing down and finding little pockets of comfort while still doing the things we love.

So if your sewing basket is moving from room to room or you're chasing the last patch of shade across the garden, know that you're not alone. Your creativity is still there, simply taking a gentler pace until the temperatures cool once more.

And if you need a cool, creative space, you know where to find me. The kettle is on, the air-conditioning is humming, and there is always room for a little stitching at Eau Brink Studio.