Our theme for November is THREAD. It was chosen by our Derby chapter in the United Kingdom, illustrated by Carla Dee, and is presented by our global partner Adobe.

Have you ever pulled on a loose thread in a sweater or sock? Things can unravel quickly.

The creative process can feel like that. A nagging thought, an imperfect bit, or a big tangled mess. But maybe that thread is trying to tell you something. Follow it and see where it takes you.

Because thread is both a physical and metaphorical tool of creativity. In film and literature, a “thread” is the progression of a plot line or theme that helps tie the narrative together. While in sewing, weaving, embroidery, and knitting, the “thread” physically embellishes and holds the piece together.

No wonder a loose thread is so hard to ignore.

It turns out that all the good and bad in your life is forming a beautiful tapestry.

INSPIRATION FROM OUR COMMUNITY:

Each month, we ask the readers of our Weekly Highlights newsletter to submit creative work inspired by our global theme.

Here are this month’s featured works.

Thread by Linda in Sacramento, California.

A little embroidery project with meandering stitches and dimensional lettering

Art and Urban Fashion Ties by Ana G in London, UK.

A set of digital collages created for a series of articles about how art and street fashion influence each-other. It’s a literal interpretation of threads but also a connection between the two fields.

Story Lines by Lu Mascaro in Gatineau, Canada.

You can see more work on Lu’s Instagram @uppercasepress.

My work is an invitation to pause, to meditate, to pray. Each line is a story, stories connect to each other and form this incredible work of everything connected.

LineMyself by Alena Aichlmanova in Prague.

This painting represents a horizon of a city, a place where threads of life are connected.

Paradise Lost by Clayton Okaly in Brooklyn, NY.

You can see more work on Clayton’s site.

As a quiltmaker, my work quite literally contains thousands of yard of thread! My work allows me to pull on threads that explore themes of comfort, conflict, belonging, otherness, loss, and impermanence. My quilts are a salves for my long-standing perfectionism, ever helping to evolve my experience and immersion in the act of creation and concentration.

Sewing Threads by Judah S. Harris in Jerusalem, Israel.

You can see more work on Judah’s Instagram @judahsharris.

I had started a project in 2016 to photograph objects I have saved. These spools are from my grandmother’s sewing kit, and after taking the pictures, I donated them to the local dry cleaners I would use. Technical info: Back lit and front lit with spot lighting positioned to show gradations and highlights. Flat lighting wouldn’t have done it. I used small LED lights to aim where I wanted the light to fall.

Tapestry by Kandis Owens in East Point, Georgia.

You can see more work on Kandis’ Instagram @signedko.

Thinking of the word thread evokes thoughts of our human complexity and the idea that we are perpetually in a state of creation. There is a single thread that runs through our life and it is strong! That thread weaves our experiences, feelings, past, and present together to continually become whole again.

Pasture Playground by Amanda Banks in Plainville, Georgia.

You can see more work on Amanda’s site.

Hand embroidery on reclaimed fabric. Thread is one of the foundational materials of my art practice and something that connects me to so many other artists working in similar mediums. Fibers and textiles have been getting more attention in the art world lately, but remain massively underrated and underappreciated…after all, we cover ourselves in them every day! And that means we’re all connected by so many threads all the time.

Vol De Bijoux | Jewelry Heist by Wendy Hope in Independence, Louisiana.

Reflections in a mirror, a visual cinematic film noir inspired beauty narrative based on a jewelry heist as related to beauty. Make-up: Kim Weber, Hair Mako Hair and Props: Cynthia Altoriso.

Canadian Fall - Plaid on Denim by Chef Quest in Toronto, Canada.

You can see more work on Quest’s Instagram @questxochocolate.

I am a chocolate designer and this artwork was made on a milk chocolate canvas using edible paints. This edible painting depicts plaid and denim - fabrics made of many threads - as a humorous way of acknowledging that Canadian fall is officially here.

Patches of My Past by Joy Iwancio in Denver, Colorado.

You can see more work on Joy’s site.

Threads hold together a quilt and I am a quilt covered in patches of my past making me who I am today.

Want to see your creative work featured on our blog? Subscribe to our Weekly Highlight newsletter to find out when submissions for next month’s theme are open.