What’s Changed at Needlewitch Studios and Why It Matters
We’re in that quiet space between Christmas and New Year, a natural pause point. For me, December always lands with a bit more weight because my birthday sits right in the middle of it.
This year, I found myself facing some uncomfortable clarity.
After my ADHD diagnosis in 2022, I spent a long time just getting through the days, not really understanding what was going on. I tried to make myself easier for people to understand, acting brighter and louder, leaning into being quirky. I turned into someone I thought would be easier for others to accept. It was bloody exhausting!
So I stopped. I picked up a notebook and wrote honestly for the first time in a while. I listed what I need for 2026, what scares me, and the patterns I keep repeating. I saw how much energy I waste trying to succeed in systems I have no control over. Once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it.
So I took a hard look at the studio and burned it down (metaphorically, of course!) What began as a simple idea had turned into something too big and hard to manage. The problem wasn’t that I failed. The problem was the structure. I started by asking a better question ~ Who is this truly for? This is the question that has become my new compass, guiding every decision I make to ensure the studio stays true to its purpose.
Here’s the truth. I want Needlewitch Studios to feel like home for The Useful Ones. For people who became competent before they were allowed to be curious. Who were rewarded for being helpful and quietly punished for being themselves. They’re the ones who didn’t get a runway. They got a to-do list. And now, later than feels fair, something in them is finally asking: Is this all there is?
I want this to be the space I never knew I needed and that I deeply wish had existed. So that’s what I’m building.
That clarity changed everything. Needlewitch Studios is not stuck anymore. Now it supports the work instead of draining it. The brand is not louder, just clearer. The words are simple because they are honest. I say what I do, plainly. This studio makes clothes, teaches skills, and creates space for people who do not fit into standard boxes. No gimmicks. No performance.
Now, Needlewitch Studios operates as an umbrella rather than a catch-all.
Dandy & Rebel focuses on bespoke garments, tailoring, and costume work.
Rogue Stitchcraft Academy holds teaching, workshops, and education.
Each part has its own rhythm and pace. I do not offer everything I can do anymore. The services are clear. If something does not fit, it is a rare exception or a no.
The same goes for products. I do not just ask if I can make something. I ask if it fits the studio, if I can price it honestly, and if it should exist more than once. Some pieces become signatures. Some are limited runs. Some get left behind, even if they are good. Good is not enough anymore.
Behind the scenes, I have decluttered, redecorated & reorganised the studio to match how I really work: filming, drafting, sewing, teaching. This changes how consistent I can be, how fast I can finish things, and whether I can teach without burning out. Having a studio that works is part of what I offer.
The website shows this now. It is easy to use, uses plain language, and focuses on what is real instead of putting on a show. These changes are about making this last. I am building something that supports me so that I can help others.
Needlewitch Studios is no longer a dumping ground for ideas. It’s a working system with a clear focus and room to grow.
If you’ve been following along quietly, this is the point where things start to make sense. Here’s to a fantastic 2026
Much love
Avi, The Needlewitch