Roots and rituals

Finding and celebrating my business name.

The name Sylva Stitch Studio comes from the Latin word sylva (or silva), meaning "forest" or "woods" - a place of rootedness, growth and quiet magic.

It's also a gentle nod to my daughter, whose middle name is Sylvia - meaning "girl of the woods" - and to my own surname, Woodward, which comes from the Old English words wudu and weard, and means "guardian of the woods".

I asked my daughter, who’s six years old, what she thought of me naming my business Sylva. She answered: “Sylva shines bright like the sky”, which I decided to take as her blessing.

To celebrate finding the right name, a friend helped me pick out a tree at my local plant nursery and my mum helped me plant it. I had read in Isla Macleod’s beautiful book, Rituals for Life, that crafting a ritual to celebrate the birth of a new business venture and landing on its name is a wonderful way to support it flourishing in the world. And for me, planting a tree next to the studio in my garden and setting my intentions for my business felt like the perfect ritual.

I feel so connected to nature when I’m in my little studio, surrounded by trees, plants and pondlife and listening to the birds. This connection to nature - to trees, deep roots and slow growth - is at the heart of everything I want my small business to be. A space for serenity, creativity and handmade beauty. And a reminder that I can grow something meaningful at my own pace - one stitch at a time!

Sylva isn’t just a name - it’s a space I’d love to share. In my cosy garden studio, wrapped in the sounds of birdsong and the quiet rustle of leaves, you’re welcome to join me to learn to sew, slow down and enjoy the simple joy of making something with your hands. I work only with natural fabrics - soft linens, airy cottons, gentle wools - materials that breathe, carry their own stories and feel grounding to the touch.

Learn more about my studio.

And if sewing isn’t for you, soon you’ll be able to find pieces I’ve created with the same intention. Slowly made clothing, shaped from natural fibres, designed to be worn close to the skin - garments that hold warmth, texture and a little touch of Sylva’s magic.

Thanks so much for reading! Coming up: the transformation from summerhouse to studio, and how AI is actually helping me with my sustainable sewing journey.

Photo credits: Ana Clark Ribeiro