Congratulations. You have created an excellent situation. You’ve got some fabric scraps, an assignment and a small, daily, dedicated chunk of time. Wonderful conditions for having ideas, trying stuff and listening to yourself.
Are you nervous? Excited? This is my 5th stitch book challenge and I’m both each time. But mostly I’m curious, and I hope you are too.
Follow your curiosity.
let’s get started
Before you begin please read both of these pages completely:
1. Begin here and don’t skim – you will miss stuff.
2. The tutorial for how to cut your pages and make the book is here. The book is assembled after the 100 days of stitching but it’s essential to know where we are headed. Take special note of how the pages will be stitched together and where you might want to leave a margin.
please keep in mind
* You will have the option to finish with raw or turned edges. The book on the right has raw edges and the book on the left has finished edges- you can do either when we assemble at the end of the 100 days. It’s good to decide which you want before you start.
*15 minutes per day is a suggestion – a minimum – overachievers are very welcome to do more.
*The stitch book process lends itself to improvisational stitching – start without knowing – work without a plan. It’s not the only way to approach the book but it’s my focus and when I offer suggestions and inspiration sources that will be the context.
*Community helps. We are each other’s accountability partners. Showing work in progress keeps you on track. It’s not mandatory to post every single day but it’s helpful to take a photo of each day’s progress for yourself.
*Speaking of sharing – you can share on insta etc with:
#stitchbookchallenge2026
FYI – Hashtags can take a while to show up on social media.
You can also – totally optional – join the stitch club community – it’s the private sharing space for ann wood handmade.
Accountability, feedback, support and fellowship. All that human stuff.
You don’t need to join stitch club to participate in the challenge but it does offer the aforementioned benefits plus:
New this year – optional page prompts! If you’re feeling unsure about getting started this can be the perfect approach. Your work will still be entirely self directed but the prompts can get your wheels turning. Also, it does not have to be either/or – you can choose which prompts to use and which to skip.
day 1
the part where you have to start
One thing leads to another if you let it. To set yourself up for success remove as many obstacles as possible. Have your supplies ready ahead of time. Have a to-go kit. Have a plan for the bad days. Daily practice is hard. Congratulate yourself for showing up.
As soon as you start a feedback loop begins, you get information. That’s what we’re here for. Listen carefully for the magic – it is there- waiting to be noticed…
Absolutely
Just cut out my 20 pages. Putting it all in a clear zipper bag and looking forward to day one.
I am so ready for this 100 day challenge. Thank you.
Ja, jeg er så klar. Jeg glæder mig til udfordring. Og det der er allermest spændende er, at vi er mange over hele kloden, der arbejder med den samme udfordring. Herligt.
Tak Anne, at du er så insisterende og inspirerende.
Bedste hilsener
Annette, Danmark
I hope I can manage. After an operation around my brain my hands are often shaking.
I have done so much craft in my life and hope…..
Hi Bettina,
That sounds incredible frustrating. And good for your for trying. I promise you- what I find most interesting and compelling about these books is the heart and energy I see in them – it’s way more important than skilled or perfect stitching.
Good luck with your book!
ann
All the very best with your stitching, Bettina. Hopefully the community spirit and sharing of ideas will spur you on, during your difficult days
Bettina, I hope it’s OK to mention this on here but tremors from Parkinson’s have all but disappeared. A medical mushroom expert friend told me to take lions mane and my gosh it’s incredible for anybody’s brain. I only have a few mild Parkinson’s symptoms.
I participated last year but life happened and I never finished. I’m going to pick it back up and finish this year. I’m having a finishing projects year.
Yes! I too am having a “finishing year”!
let the magic begin!
Bonjour,
Merci pour ce nouveau défi: je m’y suis préparé mentalement l’année dernière et j’ai suivi avec intérêt vos créations sur Instagram. Je souhaite participer cette année et observer ce que la pratique quotidienne peut m’apporter en plaisir et créativité.
Je vous suis!
I’m ready for some magic!
Started today. Well, cut out some pages and put appliqué on one.
I saw this last year after it was well underway, and I am tentative about joining, but I am thinking about giving it a go!
SO (Sew?! ) ready to begin!
Hi Ann and everyone!
I’ve just joined stitch club…and feel daunted but very excited for this 100 day book challenge! It’s come just at the right time to help open up my creative ideas..
Hello Ann,
I am very much looking forward to the stitchbook challenge! I’ve needed a way to get me back into stitching and this appears to be just the thing. I attempted the challenge two years ago but – as others have said – life happened. This year, I’m holding fast and look forward to see where it leads my stitches and my creativity. Thank you for hosting this! I look forward to seeing everyone’s work <3
I’m glad that I found this today. This looks like a lot of fun, but a little daunting since I have never done something like this before. You mention some prompts to help. Where do I find those? I seem to be missing where they are located at.
I’m ready and excited to join this group. What will be the difference in my planning if I want to finish the book with raw edges vs finished edges?
I’m ready and excited to join this group. What will be the difference in my planning if I want to finish the book with raw edges vs finished edges?
Wow yes anxious but very curious as I rarely start things without knowing or aiming for a particular outcome.
Thank you for this challenge I am ready and committed. How exciting
I couldn’t wait. I started a couple of days ago. I’m already hooked!
I started it last winter but failed to make much progress! So once again I will aim to complete it. Thank you for the inspiration!
Ready! Let,s go!
I’m intrigued & ready. Love the idea. I’ve made fabric doodles (collages) in the past but never a book. Sounds challenging & fun!
I’ll probably miss the creative works of others because I won’t use Instagram or Facebook.
Thank you Ann for this project!
This is my first time and I am excited (which so rarely happens these days). Thank you for sharing this with us.
I’m really looking forward to this work. I want to do more ‘free-form’ intuitive work which has been hard for me, but it’s really where I want to explore.
The stitched edges appeal to me and I’m sure that will be part of my stitching every day. So many things appeal to me, and I start them with ADHD enthusiasm until something else takes their place. My nine-year-old grandson is excited about fibre Arts, so with him as my stitching buddy, whatever he wants to do, I think I’ll be picking up and using a needle every day.
I do quite good in groups.
Yes ! So ready . Thankyou!
So happy to on my third journey with the stitch book , thank you Ann
Crispy towels 4EVA!!!
So excited for this project! It is exactly what I need to get back to sewing. It was like my scraps and leftover cut bits were waiting patiently for me and now practically arranged themselves into designs. Thank you, Ann, and the Stitch Club community!
I saw this in 2024 and was very intrigued. Then in 2025 I decided I would try it. I managed to get seven pages completed before caregiver life took over and once several days passed with no stitching I could not manage to get back to it. My 8 year old granddaughter saw me stitching and she wanted to try it also. So I helped her to get started and she got one page finished. I am committed to get my book finished this year and to help my granddaughter if she wants to do the same.
I’ve been excited to make one of these books for a long time, and I’m finally committing myself to 100 days of stitching. Thank you, Ann, for the years you’ve spent designing wildly creative projects and for your generosity of spirit.
Looking forward to it!
I
I am ready to begin. When gathering supplies I have found some random stitchings I have done, I am going to include them. They will have a home at last.
Almost ready!
I am almost ready and look forward to whats coming
Pages cut out; scraps and threads at the ready – can’t wait
Today I will begin! Cutting out the pages and assembling my materials. Big step for me. I’m thinking that if I keep it all together in an easily transportable package, I’ll be more likely to work on it. Starting is the key! Thanks for this opportunity and sharing your creativity!
Absolutely
I can relate to so many of your comments, excited, nervous and really wanting to stick with it.
Thank you Ann for the tips. I gathered my supplies and put them in a basket and as I began stitching yesterday it already felt so much more doable.
I am also reminding myself it’s a journey not a race. Wishing everyone the best as we travel this road together. Can’t wait to see what everyone makes!!
I’m in! I did it last year and my first stitch book in 2025 is waiting for a companion. I’m at @veronica.fiberantics where I will be posting my progress.
Can’t wait!
Question: is it desirable that our pages be kept in order, week #1 through week #20? I imagine it would be fun to see progress and growth over the 100 days.
I am determined to complete this 100-day challenge to my creativity! I look forward to guidance and inspiration from other participants.
Hello….escribo desde Argentina….En 2024 hice 12 paginas…..fue muy divertido…Espero en este 2026 completar el reto…..Gracias