Crafting Magic: Ethereal Thread Bowl and Freeform Stitching Inspiration

Recently, I discovered a truly remarkable piece of art: a bowl crafted entirely from thread. Its delicate form and intricate texture captivated me. The artist’s name is Anne Honeyman, a full-time textile artist living and working on the beautiful Isle of Skye in the UK. This extraordinary creation reminded me of the joy I find in transforming textiles into wearable art.

“An impression of a country cottage garden, full of flowers and foliage, this little bowl nestles perfectly in the palm of your hand to view from all angles.” — Anne Honeyman

Although amazingly delicate in appearance — and very lightweight — the bowl is not as fragile as it looks. It will survive a fall much better than glass or ceramics! It’s not rigid and is intended to be decorative rather than functional, but a small trinket or pebble could be placed inside. As it’s round, without a flat base, it won’t always sit up straight — but that just gives you different views of both the outside and inside.

Anne’s work is made by free-motion machine embroidery on a special soluble fabric, which dissolves away to leave just the stitching. This ‘soluble lace’ is then moulded into shape while damp; the stitching is specially designed so that it will form a round bowl without tucks or pleats. It's ethereal and whimsical — like something fairies might use at tea time.

For those inspired to create their own thread-based wonders, the artist behind this stunning bowl also offers a downloadable pdf of how to make on for yourself.  https://www.etsy.com/shop/chocolatefrog

Stitching as Storytelling: My Own Thread Journey

Just as Anne has elevated thread to a sculptural medium, I strive to elevate vintage fabrics into modern, functional accessories. Each handbag I create is a celebration of texture, color, and the unexpected — stitched with intention, character, and care.

I work with reclaimed upholstery, vintage vinyl, coated canvas, and upcycled leather — often using free-motion stitching to tell subtle stories across each surface. It’s a form of creative improvisation: part map, part memory, part movement.

🪡 Thread reminds me that strength doesn’t have to be rigid. That curves can be precise. That handmade isn’t messy — it’s soulful.

These little stitched gestures become visual signatures: a topstitched swirl, a curve that catches the light, a patchwork edge outlined in thread. The bags may be machine washable, but they carry a deep connection to handcraft and history.

Foxtrot Topstitch Hobo (Machine Washable)

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Leather Patchwork Bags

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Mini Troubadour with Contrast Stitching

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My Creative Process: From Materials to Meaning

Each bag begins with reclaimed materials: surplus upholstery fabric from the 1960's,  leather scraps from the aerospace industry, vintage fabrics from estate sales and design houses. I pair them based on texture, mood, and purpose — then let the stitching guide the story. This improvisational approach lets me build something functional yet expressive — art you can carry.

What Sparks Your Creativity?

Whether it’s thread, fabric, paint, or poetry — I believe creativity should be expressed daily, even in the things we wear and carry. What is important to you, when expressing your creativity?

🎒 If you want to carry a piece of creative expression with you every day,
Explore our limited-edition thread-detailed bags, made from reclaimed materials and sewn with soul.