Stitchdown Farm

Stitchdown is a shoemaking technique. It is one way to attach the leather upper portion of a shoe to the mid and outsoles, by means of stitching them together with burly thread. The stitchdown is both a process and product, and, likewise, is a function of both strength and aesthetics.

The stitch, viewed in cross-section, emulates the pattern of a sine wave, which is a means to describe the transfer of energy through space or matter. The wave is a universal pattern. The wave is a repeating pattern. We believe that repetition is an imperative precursor to knowledge, which is itself precursor to wisdom and excellence – ends towards which we aspire perennially.

The stitch is also reflective of the horticultural and hermetic concept ‘as above, so below,’ which describes the relationship of the crown of a tree to it’s root system. The two sides of the earth are inextricably linked. They are complements, in perpetual balance. As we started our farm 4 years ago on a distant island in the Puget Sound, we hoped endlessly to find our Place, to which we could stitch ourselves, and care for the soil so it would care for us.

We at Stitchdown strive to bring greater health, nutrition and prosperity to our land, our community and our family by allocating our energy to building a farming enterprise that reduces our reliance on fossils and places a strong emphasis on human connections.