Caithness crafting success with funding and full classes
A Caithness crafting group says it is now running new classes that are filled to the gunwales, thanks to successful funding bids.
As reported in the Caithness Courier on May 8, Craft from the Croft Caithness (CCC) has received funding from the Dounreay Communities Fund social impact contribution, towards its latest sewing project in Ormlie, Thurso.
The group, run by volunteers, has also secured match funding from ScottishPower Renewables’ Halsary Windfarm, distributed by Caithness Community Fund.
CCC started Wednesday evening sessions at the Ormlie Centre, Henderson Street, Thurso on Wednesday, May 15.
Filled to capacity with sewers and learners, they honed their skills on the group’s eight sewing machines purchased with funding from RWE Bad a Cheo Wind Farm Community Fund (Halkirk), administered by Foundation Scotland. After a few sessions, the group will move on to making quilts including using a specialised sewing machine.
The 10 participants in this first workshop had a range of different reasons for wanting to sew and attend the group including:
• To be able to make clothes of the right size
• To meet people with similar interests

• To alter clothing that doesn’t fit correctly
• To shorten trousers
• To relearn skills from decades past
Mentor, Veda Johnstone, explained to the group a simple way of making a pattern to fit a specific individual, from which outfits can be made repeated times.
The group has been helped by quilting guru, Janet Gray of Patchwork Pleasures, Murkle, who stocks various sewing materials as well as making many products which she sells at craft fairs, notably at the Murkle Community Hall.
Workshops will be weekly until the summer holidays. After learning sewing machine skills, participants will start work on small quilt blocks.
After the summer they will work on a shared quilting project, to create two unique quilts as a group, to a design that all attendees can contribute to.
If you are interested in getting involved contact Louise Smith on louinscot@aol.com