The Sisters in Stitches slow group has been meeting twice a month now for over a year, and is one of our successful additions to the Teesdale Day Clubs activity programme.
Funded by the Know Your Neighbourhood fund through Point North since 2024, and now the PCP’s Happiness Hub fund, this small group has grown and woven a magic into the fabric of the community in and around Cotherstone, making best use of the warm space provided by the community run cafe there. Like all our services and activities, the group is aimed at preventing people from becoming lonely or isolated. It’s true that living in scenic Teesdale is lovely, but it is also true that it can be a challenge to find like-minded companions to share informal time with.
The group meets for two hours at The Old Chapel cafe and shop in Cotherstone on a Monday and Saturday each month in the afternoon, throughout the year. It started with just 3 people around the table – and now has over 12 people on the register, often spilling over onto 2 tables in the cosy and welcoming cafe. Participants of the group often enjoy a hot drink from the cafe, and some arrive early to have lunch, or a piece of delicious cake.
“Slow stitch is a textile art-form which can help to slow down the nervous system when we focus in on the sensory aspect of creating something,” says Andrea Hobbs, who facilitates this group. “With an emphasis on the process rather than producing a polished piece of art or craft, it’s much more about the enjoyment and relaxation, rather than attaining high standards of technical skill – and in the process, beautiful things are made and admired, and all kinds of thoughts and emotions are shared.”
This is a friendly and warm group that welcomes newcomers all the time.
As this group is run on a drop-in basis, people can just turn up when there is a session running, and join in straight away. All the materials for the suggested projects are provided, and Andrea brings her over 40-years of art and craft experience to the table, as well as her background in creative therapy, having trained as an art therapist in the 1990s.
“I bring along a small easy project as a suggestion each time, but everyone is always welcome to bring any stitch projects that they are already on with, or problem pieces that they have got stuck with,” says Andrea. “They don’t have to be Slow Stitch – some people bring their knitting, crochet, tapestry, or other stitchy-craft along. I can usually help when a work-in-progress has come to a halt or got into a tangled mess! We even did some eco-dyeing in the summer out in the community garden. The group is much more about being together in community, and the chat around the table is always uplifting, and supportive.”
“Getting together with others who enjoy stitching work has enabled me to bring back this craft into my busy life and to take time for myself while learning new skills and sharing new friends,” says Gill, one of the regular participants. “It offers a time for reflection as well as being a valuable and well-being asset to our community.”
Heather, another regular at the group, commented “Each session, Andrea has provided inspiration on completing a slow stitch task. I have found this very therapeutic, both in creating something special out of scraps of discarded fabric, but also having the opportunity to chat in a group situation without any pressure to perform or compete. Sharing stories, listening to others, and generally having a little giggle and a chat has been beneficial to me, and I always look forward to the next session. The very act of stitching purely for enjoyment is wonderful. The chapel cafe is a warm and friendly place and am very happy to be included in the group. I am newly retired and love the interaction.”
Conversation in the group sometimes turns to personal issues, often ends up with shared laughter, and is always non-judgemental and inclusive. It has often been noted that the opportunity for women (and men) to come together to sew, knit, and talk has been lost in our busy technical world, and that there is something restful and restorative in coming together to pass the time in a gentle and informal gathering, using our hands to make something.
Dates for the group to continue to meet in 2026 are being arranged and will appear on our Facebook page and our activities page here on the website. We are always welcoming of new people, and the group remains free of charge while funding is available, although a donation (suggested £5) is received with gratitude to help us to keep this valuable group going.
If you’d like to come along and see what this group is all about, feel free to email us at activities@teesdaeldayclubs.org.uk, or contact Andrea at support@andreahobbs.co.uk or keep an eye out for the web posts for the dates – you are very welcome to drop-in and see what we’re up to anytime you like.