Sewers learn skills at workshops
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Starting in November last year, Craft from the Croft Caithness has been running workshops for beginners and lapsed sewers to get people into sewing.
Six workshops were held during the pilot project in Thurso, Halkirk, Watten and Wick.
Funded by RWE Bad a Cheo Wind Farm Community Fund (Halkirk), administered by Foundation Scotland, project spending included the purchase of eight sewing machines which can be borrowed county-wide by other sewing and craft groups.
As well as being taught how to use a sewing machine, attendees could learn buttonholing, how to put in a zip and clothing repair and alteration. The group’s sewing mentors, established sewers keen to pass on their skills to others, led less experienced sewers through the steps to produce various techniques.
Sewing mentor, Veda Johnstone, said: “We are so grateful to RWE Bad a Cheo Wind Farm Community Fund (Halkirk) for funding this successful pilot project to get sewing going in Caithness.”
When the group applied for the grant they selected the following outcomes to best describe the changes, benefits, or learning the grant would contribute to:
• Improved economic well-being.
• Improved or expanded local environment and/or public space.
• Improved community facilities.
The group met the goals by showing attendees how to repair and alter clothes thus saving money, providing a place for the sewers to socialise and exchange tips, and leaving the sewing machines in the community for others to use.
The final session in this pilot was held in the Norseman Hotel, Wick on Saturday, April 27 with attendees expressing interest in the forthcoming workshops to be held weekly in the Ormlie Community Centre between May 15 and Christmas 2024. The Ormlie project will introduce quilting to new sewers.
For more info contact Louise Smith on 0777 6225549 or email: louinscot@aol.com
