More than a dozen participants attended the first public Community Sewing Day at BellaCrafts, taking the opportunity to design and sew their bespoke blocks for inclusion in one of several memory quilts.

Almost all started with no sewing experience and had never used a sewing machine before, but quickly became confident with the help of volunteers from the Wessex Quiltmakers.

The session attracted several students from The Westgate School, highlighting the project’s ability to engage individuals and groups of all ages and backgrounds.

One block depicting two beach towels with hats, bags and flip-flops on them, and a small dog nearby, represented a participant’s joyful memories of “many happy days at the beach with my dog, Tia”.

Another portrayed a beautiful hot air balloon with birds flying above, referencing the maker’s Bristol heritage where the largest balloon event in the world is held.

Those who were unable to finish during the session were able to take their nearly completed blocks home with them, either to finish in their own time or at another upcoming Community Sewing Day. Many promised to return to another session in the coming weeks.

Victoria McClure, deputy director at BellaCrafts, said: “This project feels like it was custom-made for us to participate in as a Community Sewing Day partner.

"It is our passion to bring people together through creativity, and the opportunity to support an incredible cause alongside this makes it all the more rewarding." 

Having opened their site in Winchester nearly four years ago, she was still impressed by the overwhelming sense of community.

She said: “We were thrilled to host the first public Community Sewing Day and look forward to seeing the Fabric of Winchester come to life over the coming months."

The final Community Sewing Days will be hosted at The Winchester Bakery on October 5 from 10am until 2pm, Winchester Sports & Leisure Centre on October 13 from 1.30pm until 6.30pm, and The Arc Winchester from 11am until 5pm. All are free to attend but participants are encouraged to register via the Playmakers website to avoid missing out.

Hampshire Chronicle: Community sewing day Community sewing day (Image: St Johns Winchester)

FABRIC DONATION

St John’s Winchester has received a second fabric donation towards their community project, The Fabric of Winchester.

Gifted from one of their long-standing almshouse residents, Ian Goldie said: “This fabric was my aunt’s tablecloth she used for special occasions when she entertained at the Sick House where she was matron at Winchester College.”

Ian’s fabric donation will be included in one of several memory quilts, made by local volunteer quiltmakers before being publicly displayed in an exhibition at The Arc in January 2024.

Fabric and items of clothing which hold a special meaning to individuals, families, community groups, churches and schools can be donated to the project for inclusion in a quilt at no cost.

Members of the community do not need to sew their own block or attend a Community Sewing Day to participate in the project.

Local businesses are also encouraged to donate a meaningful piece of fabric or purchase a bespoke block with prices starting at £60.

Hampshire Chronicle: Fabric donation Fabric donation (Image: St Johns Winchester)

MEMORY WELLBEING CENTRE

A community partnership with health and fitness brand, Everyone Active, has enabled St John’s Winchester to bring to fruition a fortnightly Memory Wellbeing Centre.

Their Dementia Support service team welcomes people living with dementia and their carers to a supportive, relaxed, and nurturing session that can include games and social activities in which people can participate.

Sessions are openly accessible to all those living with dementia across Winchester and greater Hampshire and there is no cost to participate; attendees do not need to register in advance and there is no formal short or long-term commitment, with participants able to stay for as much or as little of the sessions as they would like.

At a recent Centre, one participant commented: "What a reassuring session, it was so great to meet everyone and learn from their experience with dementia."  

Since the Centre was launched in October 2022 more than 30 members have benefitted from the team’s support in less than a year.

Hampshire Chronicle: Memory Wellbeing Centre Memory Wellbeing Centre (Image: St Johns Winchester)

COMMUNITY SEWING DAYS

10am-2pm, Thursday, October 5 – Winchester Bakery

1.30pm-6.30pm, Friday, October 13 – Winchester Sports and Leisure Park

11am-5pm, Sunday, October 22 – The Arc

All Community Sewing Days are free to attend but registrations are essential via the Playmakers website. Full details including accessibility and capacities are available on the St John’s Winchester website. Attendees are encouraged to bring along any fabric with sentimental value, although materials and sewing machines will be available for use. The project’s Memory Artist, Katy Rundle, will be on hand to assist participants in translating their memories and stories into bespoke block designs.

HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE? 

  • Donate a piece of fabric or clothing
  • Stitch your own 9” x 9” ‘block’ (the squares that make up a quilt)
  • Join one of the free Community Sewing Days
  • Purchase a ‘Business Block’ for your business.
  • Share your memory or story along with any photos of your block on social media and use one of the hashtags: #FabricOfWinchester or #StitchedTogether
  • Sign up to receive Fabric of Winchester updates via the St John’s Winchester website.

SUPPORT THE ST JOHN’S DEMENTIA SUPPORT SERVICE 

In recognising the power of personal stories, Fabric of Winchester participants are asked where possible to consider a gift of any size towards the St John’s Dementia Support service, donating for those whose memories are cherished.

With the support of the community, St John’s will be able to answer every call for help, meeting the unprecedented demand for the free service and transforming the quality of life for all those in Winchester living with dementia.