A couple of weeks ago now I had my last workshop of the year at Made and Making, this time on a Christmas theme! Seven lovely ladies came to create little miniature 10cm works of stitchy art and we very nearly got them finished too. There just aren't quite enough hours in the workshop to fully complete and it can be very difficult to judge how long you actually need as the workshop is open (and ideal) for all levels of stitcher, from speedy practiced ones, to slightly needy novice ones - see what I did there?
We could probably have done with another hour in this case but they were almost there and I really hope they went home and just finished off the last few stitches and got the backs drawn up so they could be hung on a tree.
I have had some really lovely feedback about workshops this year. Quite often those who come don't want to leave and it's a wrench to get them to stop stitching! Even through lunch sometimes they carry on, sandwich abandoned to the side because they've had an idea. It really doesn't matter if they don't finish but it's getting that creative flow going - especially for those who arrive and say 'I'm not that creative'.
For me, the joy of the workshops is seeing and feeling that buzz grow throughout the day. Most of the people who come have never met each other, and some may not quite know what made them sign up for the session so there is always a slightly awkward, overly-British polite start but, by lunchtime, there is a flow, the conversation covers all kinds of topics and, most of the time, it's a safe space for people to open up and share stories, swap advice, discover odd and mutual links between them, and create. These workshops are so much more than just sitting and stitching a picture. It's a community, an inspirational moment, a breathing space, an escape.
Some people who come literally turn their phones off so that they can't be disturbed. No one rings them, they aren't worrying about the jobs they haven't done at home - because they can't. This slot is allocated for them to have some fun. And it shows in what is made at the end.
Christmas workshops are slightly different as they are more about finding patterns you like and adding sparkle and fun trimmings that might catch the light on a tree or mantlepiece. There is no pressure on scale or perspective - although one lady did recreate a skiing holiday as you can see! This piece was going to be a gift for her partner to capture a memory of holidays spent together - and is a first for me as no one has ever stitched a ski slope into a Stitchscape before!! It looks absolutely fabulous!
It's been a brilliant year at Made and Making and I'm very lucky to be able to tutor in such a fab creative space. We do have some class dates available for booking in 2025 if you would like to come along to one. They are classes that have run before - seaside and a general creative workshop, but I have also sent in some new ideas for classes which we may try. They are getting Christmas out of the way first and then coming back to me when the madness has died down a little which is fair enough. Keep an eye out on my events page for other dates - or sign up to my newsletter so you don't miss an event (you can sign up via my website).
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