There are some days that remind you why creativity matters – Saturday at Ashbourne Festival was one of those days.
With the roads closed and the town centre filled with people, Ashbourne seemed to take on a different rhythm for the day. Families wandered the streets, musicians and performers entertained the crowds, artists and makers shared their work, and everywhere there was a sense of celebration. Under clear blue skies, the town became a place of creativity, conversation and connection.
I was delighted to be joining Derbyshire Makes and the Dare to Dream team for the festival’s Sewing Bee, helping to create Ashbourne’s Sea of Dreams.
Inspired by this year’s festival theme, Ashbourne by the Sea, we invited people to stop by, pick up a needle and thread, and add their own contribution to a growing collaborative artwork. Visitors stitched fish, shells, boats, waves, stars and seagulls onto pieces of fabric in shades of blue and green, each one carrying words and ideas that reflected their hopes for the future.
What unfolded throughout the day was something rather special.
People who had never picked up a needle before sat alongside experienced stitchers. Families stitched together. Friends stopped for a quick chat and stayed to make something. Children carefully chose colours and shapes while adults shared memories, ideas and stories. Some people spent just a few minutes with us, while others settled into the making for much longer.
Again and again I was reminded that creativity doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it begins with a simple shape, a length of thread and an invitation to take part.
There was a particular joy in stitching outdoors, surrounded by the energy of the festival. The bright colours of the fabrics echoed the summer sky, and as more and more pieces were added, Ashbourne’s Sea of Dreams began to grow before our eyes.
What I loved most was seeing the conversations that emerged through the making. People spoke about kindness, community, nature, peace and play. They shared hopes for Ashbourne and dreams for the future. Through the simple act of stitching, strangers became collaborators and individual contributions became part of something bigger.
Community projects like Dare to Dream remind us that creativity isn’t just about producing beautiful things; it’s about creating opportunities to connect. Making together slows us down, encourages conversation and gives everyone a chance to contribute, regardless of age, experience or background.
A huge thank you to everyone who stopped to stitch with us throughout the day. Every fish, shell, wave and star helped bring Ashbourne’s Sea of Dreams to life.
It was also a pleasure to work alongside Dare to Dream artist Sue Reddish and the wider Derbyshire Makes team, whose enthusiasm and generosity created such a welcoming space for people to get involved.
As the festival drew to a close and we packed away our threads and fabrics, I left feeling inspired by the hundreds of small moments of creativity I had witnessed throughout the day. In a world that often feels rushed, there is something quietly powerful about taking the time to sit together and make.
I am already looking forward to joining the Dare to Dream team again in October at Masson Mills for the Women Who Make Festival.
Until then, I’ll be thinking about a sea stitched with kindness, community, creativity and hope.
Every Stitch A Story 