Community Workshops - Julieanne Long
Prism member Julieanne Long shares her experiences of running community workshops at a local church.
About five years ago I was approached and asked if I would help run a community group to teach various stitching techniques getting the participants to stitch a number of banners for the local church.
I designed a series of four banners based on the elements, water, earth, air, and fire. Each of the banners would focus on a couple of techniques, these included couching, needle lace, and working with wire and stitch. I would teach these techniques then everyone would work on pieces during the sessions and at home. At the monthly sessions we would gather around a long table with the banner spread out for us to work on. We had a mix of ages and competencies, one of the women was an elderly widow, Iris suffering from depression. She had in her younger days worked as an upholsterer for Harrods & the National Trust. She had been persuaded to take part. I was delighted to see the change in her as the weeks progressed, she loved working on the banner, and sometimes I got her to take a banner home to work on between sessions. I put her in charge of the banner when I had to take a workshop in another area of the hall. The banners were finally finished in May, when they were hung in the church Iris was in tears, saying how proud she was of having played such a large part in their production.
The community group Shine, is a brilliant idea. Those joining in are a mix of young mums, elderly, people with some health issues, and unemployed. Some will bring their own knitting or sewing and will generously share their skills with others.
Maggie, another one of our leaders brings her sewing machine and gives lessons on using the machine helping them to produce fabric shopping bags. Heather, who is also one of the leaders demonstrates simple recipes. We have a group of women from church to provide craft activities for any small children so their parents are freed up to join in with the workshops. This month I am giving a talk on solar & eco-dyeing, and a workshop on visible darning. This has been a lot of work organising, but has been so worthwhile just seeing the interaction of different ages and abilities. Also, it is very pleasing to see the pleasure and sense of achievement as new skills are learned.
Anyone in the area is free to join the group. We are always looking for people who want to share their embroidery and sewing skills too. The group meets on the second Tuesday in the month from10.45am to 12pm at St George’s Parish Rooms, Littleport, Ely.
You can find out more about Julieanne’s work on Instagram @julieannelongartist
