SISTERS were stitching it for themselves, slowly.
A two-hour stitching session, where the focus was the process not the end product, saw six ladies enjoy the mindful project.
Run by lifelong crafter Andrea Hobbs, from Baldersdale, the first Sisters in Stitch session at Startforth Community Centre, got off to a great start.
Ms Hobbs, who knits, sews and spins her own wool, runs craft companies Arnie Creations and Baldersdale Blankets. She said: “My day job is working at Teesdale Day Clubs but outside of that, it’s all about crafting.
“The idea of Sisters in Stitch is all about slow stitching and being present in the moment. It’s more about the process of stitching than rushing to finish a great looking product.
“Concentrating on each push and pull of the needle and being present in the moment, you will end up with a beautiful looking item.”
The idea for the one-off stitching session came about after Ms Hobbs ran a craft group at the community centre at the beginning of the year.
She added: “It’s bringing people in the community together, building friendships and doing projects together, something I think we have lost.”
Ladies were invited to bring their own craft project along or use materials supplied on the day to create small projects while enjoying a chat, coffee and cakes.
The session was funded by Teesdale Day Clubs through its outreach activities programme.
Ms Hobbs said: “I have been sewing since I was six or seven and it is something I find very mindful.
“I had been running sessions across the border in North Yorkshire and people kept asking for me to do some here in Teesdale.
“It’s the first Sisters in Stitch session and the idea is if it’s successful to do more.”
