Community Sewing Days

We’re inviting all in Winchester to share in the joy and creativity of storytelling through our Community Sewing Days, where you’ll have the opportunity to stitch or sew your very own quilt ‘block’ for inclusion on one of our Memory Quilts.

Never sewed before? No problem! We’ll have volunteers and expert sewers around to provide valuable guidance, and several Janome sewing machines available for use on a first come first served basis.

How will it work?

Each Community Sewing Day is broken into a series of back-to-back two-hour sessions, though if you find yourself needing more time towards the end of a session, you’re welcome to stay for longer (dependent on capacity restrictions).

Community Sewing Days are a chance for the community to come together, so we’ll make sure there are refreshments available at all sessions, and a friendly face to welcome you.

At each session, there will be eight Janome sewing machines for attendees’ use for up to two hours at a time (this will reduce to one hour for particularly well-attended sessions). Please note that sewing machines will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

On hand to help will be our resident ‘Memory Artist’, Katy Rundle, who can guide participants in the translation of their ideas into a distinct block design. We’ll also have members of the Wessex Quiltmakers and textile students from the School of Art to assist with any technical or artistic questions.

What should I bring?

Although we’ll have a small selection of fabric, threads and sewing materials, we advise all attendees to bring anything they have at home to the sessions. We’re also particularly appreciative of any donations of materials or sewing kits to the project which will mean those with limited supplies can participate in the project.

Does it cost to attend?

Our Community Sewing Days are free to attend but registrations are essential, to help us manage the capacities of the various venues and spaces. If you have registered to attend a session and are no longer able to come, please let us know in case there is a waiting list for that event.

When and where are the Community Sewing Days?

• Sunday 17 September – 10:00am-4:00pm – Bellacrafts
  • Address: The Craft House & Tea Rooms, Kings Walk, Winchester SO23 8AF
  • Accessibility: Courtyard View Room on 1st floor; accessed via winding staircase with no lift.
  • Capacity: Up to 12pax per session

• Monday 25 September – 1:00pm-5:00pm – Theatre Royal Winchester
  • Address: 21-23 Jewry Street, Winchester, SO23 8SB
  • Accessibility: On the stage, stairs but accessibility lift an option.
  • Capacity: Up to 16pax per session

• Thursday 5 October – 10:00am-2:00pm – Winchester Bakery
  • Address: 43 Winchester High Street, Winchester SO23 9BL
  • Accessibility: 1st floor; stairs with no disabled access
  • Capacity: Up to 40pax per session

• Friday 13 October – 1:30pm-6:30pm – Winchester Sports and Leisure Park
  • Address: Bar End Road, Winchester, SO23 9NR
  • Accessibility: Studio is upstairs however a lift is accessible for those unable to use stairs.
  • Capacity: Up to 40pax per session

• Sunday 22 October – 11:00am-5:00pm – The Arc
  • Address: The Arc, Winchester, SO23 8SB
  • Accessibility: Learning Room, Ground floor, full accessibility
  • Capacity: Up to 16pax per session