I tried satin stitch, back stitch, and chain stitch first, but the version with French knots pleased me most. There is something incredibly grounding about this tactile depth. It feels like growing a whole moss-green forest out of a tiny patio.
HOW WE GOT HERE
Our story
An admirer with clumsy hands
For years, I admired hand embroidery from a distance. Looking at beautiful textile art online, I frequently wished I could make something like that, despite my clumsy hands.
Once I finally managed to work up the nerve to try embroidery, I started exactly how many people do. I bought a starter kit from a well-known shop on a popular craft marketplace.
A lesson in frustration
It was an excellent lesson in frustration. The thread felt cheap and frayed instantly, the pattern was printed on a stiff, synthetic canvas rather than soft cotton, and the included guide breezily assumed I already held a degree in couture sewing. The only saving grace of the entire package was a tiny wire needle threader which was genuinely handy, given that my immediate personal crisis wasn't separating the thread, but trying to force multiple strands through a microscopic needle eye.
I have a fairly impressive track record of picking up hobbies only to abandon them a few weeks later. But despite that bad starter kit, I didn't want to drop embroidery too soon. I bought another kit, this time with a far more careful eye.
The hobby that stayed
Embroidery is the one hobby I’ve actually stuck with, and it turns out to be great fun. But it isn't just about the quiet process or having something to do with my hands. The best thing about it is the individuality. I realised that even with the exact same pre-printed pattern and the exact same palette, my finished work will never look identical to anyone else's. Every stitch holds my own time, attention, and little mistakes, making it unique. It becomes a personal record of the hours I spent, complete with all its little quirks.
Chasing something different
Eventually, I wanted to explore more distinctive design styles and learn more challenging stitches. But as a beginner, I quickly noticed how difficult it was to find thoughtfully designed kits from independent brands, unless you already knew where to look.
That’s how Tiny Patio started. We gather embroidery and felt sewing kits from indie artists who care as much about the process of making as the finished piece, so you can spend less time deciding where to begin and more time enjoying the craft. We provide the lines, but the effort, the character, and the finished piece belong entirely to you.