Finding Your Creative Side: How to embroider your clothes with Shantini
Hi, I’m Shantini, and I’m excited to be sharing this little project with you!
I consider myself a creative and a maker, even though it’s not my job. In fact, I feel like more of an artist now than I did when it was my job (many years ago). The gift of creating as a hobby is that you can work purely on inspiration, and please no one but yourself.
I work full-time and have two kids, and making things is part of what keeps me grounded and feeling like myself. I love to bake, quilt, write poems, make pottery and music, and sometimes make TikToks.
Here are the lessons I’ve learned that help keep me going in creative practice, and keep it fun:
Here are the lessons I’ve learned that help keep me going in creative practice, and keep it fun:
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When you feel a spark of inspiration, grab onto it and don’t let go. Act on it immediately, and if you can’t, write it down in a notebook or on your phone. Moments of inspiration are really precious; they unlock playfulness and excitement, which will have the most satisfying result. Squeeze it into any slivers of time you have, so the spark doesn’t fade. The dishes can wait!
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Don’t let setbacks stop you from finishing. This isn’t your job, and it’s just for you, so nothing has to be perfect. You will be so much more satisfied with a completed and imperfect project than an unfinished one. You don’t have to have the perfect space, the perfect materials, or the perfect product to put something uniquely yours into the world.
- Get excited about learning and mistakes. Throw out embarrassment and shame. There’s no TIME, and it’s boring. Every error is an opportunity for you to hone your craft and learn something new. It’s a gift to learn something new as an adult, get into it and be proud of yourself for trying.
Happy Making!
Shantini
RESOURCES:
Embroidery Tutorials
The Free Label Shirt I embroidered (in a 2x)
Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative (my job!)
Shantini’s TikTok
2 comments
Yes! I love all of this!! Especially about catching those magical sparks.
Kim
December 09, 2025
I loved this video! Such a fun and approachable project
Amie
December 09, 2025