Sewing Life Under Lockdowm

On March 23rd life changed drastically for everyone in the UK. Apart from Trudie, members of Beyond Stitch are all over 70 so are particularly required to stay out of the firing line to avoid the potential for overwhelming the NHS with vulnerable older people with the Covid virus. The designation of being old and vulnerable has not sat happily on our shoulders but obviously we have accepted the need to contain the virus. Trudie, although younger, has also seen her job disappear, her regular teaching sessions stopped and her freedom of movement curtailed. So us textile artists have had to find a way to keep those sewing machines well oiled and those sewing digits flexible.

Trudie, Tres and Mandy have led the way with initially making masks

And then moving onto the bigger stuff with sewing scrubs.

The large, ungainly pockets in the scrubs bottoms have proved particularly challenging but perseverance has brought its rewards.

Tres has been tidying

Sue and Mandy are following textileartist.org weekly challenge which they have enjoyed. Mandy’s eye caused a certain amount of discussion

And Sue copped out and used Rufus’ (the dog) eye rather than accepting the challenge of her own eye. The other challenges have ranged from very simple to quite complex

Sue also participated in the Loo Roll Challenge with friends and enjoyed making felt, butterflies and flowers.

Ed has completed her Star of the Show hanging and is facing the challenge of how best to hang it.

Marion has been making silk paper and developing a tree piece.

Trudie has been dyeing.

Which brings me to our next exhibition. We have all been doing some work on pieces that are destined for our show, In Our Element, scheduled for September 10th – 16th at Artspace on Woodbridge Thoroughfare.

We have, of course, no idea whether we will be able to go ahead. The signs are not good but we remain hopeful and positive. Even if we can’t exhibit in September we will continue to work towards a future event. Our situation highlights the plight of all artists, exhibitors and venues, just one group of the millions of people affected by this dreadful disease. Our situation pales into insignificance against the suffering of so many people and the fantastic work being done by the people working to keep us well, fed and safe. Our thoughts and thanks go to all of them.

Keep safe, take care, this will end.

Sue