Tag: crafts

An unforgettable start for Stitching Ashbourne

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What a fantastic launch workshop! The Stitching Ashbourne launch yesterday was everything we hoped it would be and more, lively, welcoming, and full of creativity. More than fifty people joined us, with a real buzz of excitement and queues out the door! It was heart-warming to see so many people come together, chatting, stitching, and sharing ideas about what makes Ashbourne such a special place to live, visit, work and go to school.

Right from the start, everyone got stuck in, filling the space with conversation and colour. Early designs began to celebrate the town’s beautiful surroundings, the rolling countryside, trees, fields and open skies that make Ashbourne such a joy to walk, cycle and explore. The much-loved Tissington Trail came up again and again, with its mix of walkers, cyclists, dog owners, parents and grandparents enjoying time outdoors. And it’s clear Ashbourne is a town that loves its animals too, with The Ark Rescue Centre finding its place in designs alongside wildlife and much-loved pets.

As the afternoon went on, themes of friendship and community connection began to shine through. Local gathering spots like Smith’s Tavern, a familiar meeting place for many, and the Cornerstone Café at the Methodist Church featured prominently, places that hold so many shared memories. The newly refurbished church, with its bright red doors, also made an appearance, symbolising warmth and welcome. Cultural favourites such as Shrovetide Football, the Lantern Parade and the Christmas Tractor Lights brought smiles all round, reminders of the events that bring everyone together year after year.

Food made its way into the mix too! Ashbourne Gingerbread popped up in early sketches, and we’re already wondering what other local treats will find their way into stitches over the coming weeks. Plenty of people also took home packs to work on, including students from local schools, we can’t wait to see the range of ideas that come back from makers of all ages.

We were also absolutely delighted to welcome Helena, our official project photographer to the event. Originally from Ukraine, Katerina brings a wealth of experience and a wonderful creative eye. Her involvement has been made possible thanks to generous support from Ashbourne Arts, who have provided £500 in funding to help document the project. This support means we’ll have a beautiful visual record of Stitching Ashbourne as it grows, something lasting to accompany the finished textile artwork.

If everyone who came along brings back their stitched square, we’ll already be halfway to our goal of 100, what an amazing start! There are still plenty of opportunities to get involved. Upcoming workshop dates are listed on the workshop page, with 16 workshops to choose from hopefully you’ll find one that suits you. If you can’t make it to a workshop but would still like to take part, just email Laura for a postal pack. Finished squares (with feedback forms) can be returned at sessions or posted directly to Stitching Ashbourne.

Thank you so much to everyone who came along and helped make the launch so special. Your enthusiasm, creativity and warmth are at the heart of Stitching Ashbourne — this really is a project shaped by our community, for our community.

Bunting for Peace: From Make Do and Mend to Street Parties

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Stitching Wartime Resilience into Peace Celebrations

I’m super excited to share that this summer, I’ll be in residence at Erewash Museum, leading an ambitious community project to create 50 meters of bunting to commemorate VE and VJ Day.

Throughout August 2025, I’ll be based at the museum, inviting local residents and visitors to join me at drop-in workshops to make bunting inspired by the spirit of wartime celebrations. Rooted in the 1940s ethos of “make do and mend,” we’ll be working with reclaimed, vintage, and recycled fabrics in red, white, and blue. As always I’m on the lookout for fabrics so please contact me if you have cotton fabrics you’d like to donate.)

During the workshops, we’ll reflect on how we mark peace, joy, and community, then and now, asking questions like:

  • What does celebration mean to you?
  • How did past generations mark the end of war?
  • How do we celebrate peace today?

Whether you’re a confident stitcher or have never picked up a needle, there’s something for everyone:

  • Rag Bunting – A no-sew activity that’s perfect for children, families, or anyone looking for a quick and creative way to contribute.
  • Embroidered Bunting – A slower, more detailed experience using hand embroidery and appliqué. These guided, drop-in sessions welcome participants of all abilities.

The completed bunting will make its debut at the War Time Variety Show on Friday, 29th August 2025, with a section featured in the upcoming “From Gas Masks to Garden Parties” exhibition opening in September.

Designed to be reused and re-shared, you can expect to see the bunting appear at various museum events for years to come — a lasting symbol of community, creativity, and sustainable making.

To get the ball rolling, I’ve stitched the very first meter of bunting — just 49 to go! I hope you’ll join me in this ambitious creative adventure. Every flag added is a piece of our shared story, stitched with memory, imagination, and hope.

Workshop dates and times will be announced soon, so watch this space!

The 80 Candles Quilt is Unveiled!

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Saturday was a big day for the 80 candles quilt project as participants from across the East Midlands came together to unveil the completed quilt. It was an absolutely beautiful afternoon of sharing research, connecting and celebrating what we have achieved together.

Through 9 workshops, supported by The Multi Faith Centre, The National Holocaust Centre & Museum, Ashbourne Methodist Craft & Chat Group and Brailsford Methodist church, and 9 postal packs, 76 individuals have participated in the project. People joined the project from across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and even as far as London and the South West. The stories documented range from very personal stories of family members to well-known survivors and lesser-known individuals selected because of a shared name, hobby or job, or because of the very absence of their stories from traditional Holocaust narratives. The body of research created is impressive, and the Unveiling Event provided a wonderful opportunity for individuals to share details about the person they have honored.

Thoughts now naturally move to how do we share the 80 Candles Quilt and the stories it contains? Over the coming months the quilt will be on display at various location across the East Midlands, starting at the Multi Faith Centre on 27th January, moving to the Derby Cathedral, Swadlincote Tourist Information, Ashbourne Cornerstone Cafe, Queen Elizabeths Grammar School, Nottingham Liberal Synagogue and the National Holocaust Centre and Museum. We are also in the early stages of creating a book! The book will share the making of the quilt, and the research carried out by participants. Fundraising to support publication has already begun with the sale of postcards and printed booklets which will be for sale at £2 each at exhibitions.

Crowdfunding Page LIVE!

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At the risk of being crass, running community projects takes money; workshop space, fabric, threads and of course my time as a professional Textile Artist & Community Arts Practitioner. Funding for projects can be tricky to come by, but the 80 Candles Memorial Quilt Project was something I really wanted to do. It feels important and timely.

Determined not to let the lack of funding out there deter me, I have forged ahead and ‘trusted the process’. Previous projects have taught me that if you have vision, passion and determination, and you can share that with others, it really does all work out in the end. This project is proving no different, not only have the Multi Faith Centre, Ashbourne Methodist Craft & Chat Group, Brailsford Methodist Church and the National Holocaust Centre & Museum supported the project by donating venue space to host workshops, participants have been asking how they can donate towards costs too.

I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has donated so far, with a final quilt measuring nearly 1.5 meters by 2 meters it’s a costly piece to create. To honour those who had everything taken from them, right down to their clothes and shoes, I have strayed from my usual practice of utlising vintage and reclaimed fabrics and opted instead for beautiful linens and organic cottons.

The results so far are truly inspiring. The workshops have been beautiful spaces for storytelling, connection and creativity. The first squares finished are wonderful miniature visual narratives or people’s lives and have offered the time for contributors to really connect with the experience of others and share that story more widely. If you’d like to get involved with or support this project there are three ways to get involved:

  • Take part in a workshop, dates and links here and make a donation towards costs.
  • Order a postal pack and complete your contribution from the comfort of your own home.
  • Donate to the project and have your name embroidered on the back of the quilt.

We currently have 30 participants and nearly 40 squares in progress, please help us create this beautiful memorial and join the team!