From lampshades and cushion covers to curtains, blinds and blankets – there’s nothing you can’t try your hand at – especially if there’s someone to help you along the way.
Sandra Cassidy is one of those people. She studied illustration and printmaking at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design and has been running the Dundee franchise of Sew Confident in Broughty Ferry for around 18 months.
At first, classes were held in rented studios, then Sandra converted old garages in her back garden into a bright and welcoming purpose-built space. The result is a homely and friendly place to learn, laugh and enjoy a cuppa while you craft.
Since the lockdown came into force, tutorials at the studio have had to be postponed, but the Sew Confident creative community continues to thrive as people instead beaver away at home.
Sew Confident sewing classes were founded by Glasgow-based Jenny McCreary and the company has franchises across Scotland and the UK, including Glasgow, Dundee, Chorley and Birmingham.
The main aims are for people to learn a new skill, de-stress and be social (or sewcial!) and classes range from beginners to more seasoned crafters. While some Sew Confident classes have gone online, the most important thing during the lockdown is for people to stay connected and feel as if they are part of a creative community while they wait for life to return to normal.
Sandra says: “Once the lockdown is over the classes will resume but for now it’s all about online support and inspiration.” She has been using the hashtag #CreateWhileYouIsolate and it does exactly what it says on the tin.
“We have been posting out hand embroidery kits, so that’s something people can make and hang on their wall,” she explains. “We have been using Zoom and those kind of apps. We are also going to carry on with our ‘sewcials’ which is more if you want to knit something or crochet and meet up with people who craft at the same time. It’s nice to sit and have a blether with people. It’s a way of tuning out and taking your mind away from the media.”
As well as virtual sewcials, there are some Facebook groups running to give people a chance to chat, tune out and share inspiration. “We’ve got the Sew Confident Dundee community page and Sew Confident sewcial page to share, make and chat. It’s people from the local area so you can ask their advice or seek ideas on your craft projects. It’s also a good place to show people something you have been working on at home. I have also set up another group called the Sew Confident calm quilt. Again it’s a social group and there will be videos and tutorials on how to make tiny quilt blocks. You could spend five minutes a day doing it, or three hours – it’s up to you.”
And when creative communities come together, amazing things can happen. Sandra recently placed a box outside her front door and appealed for crafters to make and drop off drawstring scrubs bags for local NHS workers to take away for free. The response has been overwhelming, with people trying to do their bit to support the vital efforts of keyworkers.
Before Covid-19 took hold, Sandra had been noticing a real trend of people wanting to get more creative in their homes. “They may want to change things quickly or they can’t do up a full room,” she says. “But, within an hour, you can change the look of a room by changing the lampshade or a cushion cover.”
She adds that people might feel they can be more adventurous if they have more say in the finished product.
“You’re not limited to six different colours of plain fabric – you can get whatever you want.”
When it comes to items such as curtains and Roman blinds, they can be quite pricey – depending on their dimensions. It may cost three or four times more than making them yourself. “It can be the case that – yes, people want to know how to make them – but they also want to save themselves a fortune,” Sandra continues.
Crafty practices can certainly help unburden the mind: “It’s a group of people who are coming to learn but also coming to have a good laugh. You’re not going to be in trouble if you can’t sew a straight line. It’s always quite relaxed. The studio is like a big living room and I think people like that. There’s tea and coffee – it’s just a bit of a chilled out space. If you are sewing and knitting then your brain has to concentrate on what you are making instead.”
Sandra’s top tip for creating while isolating: “If you don’t have a permanent little space in your house for crafting then try to make yourself a cosy corner where you can do that kind of thing. Set up all the things you need so that it’s ready when you need it.”
For more information, visit: sewconfident.co.uk
