Introducing My 2026 Weekly Sardines Stitching Challenge 🐟
This year I wanted to start a new creative tradition, something that gently holds me accountable to stitching regularly while giving me space to play, explore, and evolve. I have a feeling this challenge will change shape each year, but for 2026, my fascination has landed firmly on sardines.
The idea is simple and flexible (my favourite kind of project!). I can either stitch all the sardine outlines first, using black or a mix of different colours, or stitch each sardine week by week as I go. Honestly… both options are tempting, and I love that I don’t have to decide right away.
Each week, I’ll spend time with one sardine, filling it in with whatever colour, pattern, or mood feels right at that moment. There are no rules beyond showing up and stitching. By the end of 52 weeks, I’ll have a joyful, completely bespoke collection of stitched sardines that captures a whole year of creativity.
If you’d like to join me in this Weekly Sardines 2026 Challenge, I’d love to have you along! The chart is available in my Etsy store HERE and you’re welcome to make it entirely your own, just like the sardines themselves.
Joining In Later? No Problem at All
If you happen to discover this project partway through the year, please don’t let that stop you from joining in. This challenge is designed to be flexible and pressure-free. You can easily catch up by stitching any missed sardines at your own pace, whether that’s completing a few in one week or spreading them out over time.
There’s no “right” order and no deadline other than the one you set for yourself. The joy of this project is in the making, not the timing. Whether you start in January or December, you’ll still end up with a beautifully personal collection of sardines that reflects your own creative journey.
To help keep things inspiring and connected, I’ll be sharing my own stitched sardine each week on my blog and social channels, so you can follow along, see how the project evolves, and stitch alongside me whenever it suits you.
Here’s to a year of stitching, creativity, and very charming fish. 💙🐟
CROSS STITCH :Instant Download Chart available HERE
Tuesday 30th December 2025
I opted for a neutral I feel for the embroidered sardines, this would work for me as I will be adding a lot of colour to my sardines. What are your views on this? Maybe a blue fabric to give the impression that it's water the sardines are swimming in?
My process:
1. I printed out the A3 embroidery pattern
2. Applied masking tape to the reverse side of my fabric (calico) holding the pattern in place
3. Used my light box which is A4. It was fine I just moved it around slowly, the pattern did not move as I taped it all in place. It transferred really well and now I am ready to embroider.
4. I used a Pilot Frixon 05 fine liner pen, I use these a lot as they are thin enough to be really precise. A bonus once finished stitching, if some pen lines are visible I apply hair dryer heat and they all disappear.
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