Since re-opening the shop after lockdown, our customers have told us so many stories of how sewing has been such an important part of helping them get through 2020. The stories are all so different and each of them inspiring in their own way.
When it was time to decide how we would celebrate Sewing Week this year, we were presented with a challenge. Sewing Week was set up by Sew Magazine a few years ago in order to promote bricks and mortar sewing shops like us. We love celebrating every year and usually have a big event on Sew Saturday, a sewing competition, games, charity fundraiser and lots more. However restrictions due to Covid-19 meant the we had to celebrate in a different way this time.
So after a lot of thought, we decided that we wanted to collect as many of our customers 2020 stories as possible and put together a scrapbook. After all, this year in particular is going to go down in history and sewing has definitely played it’s part (in a good way!).
After putting out the call to our wonderful customers, we were so pleased to receive some amazing stories. They have made us laugh and cry and we are so grateful to everyone who contributed. You are all amazing.
Viv’s Story:
“Hello Gather N Sew
What a safe haven in troubled times you have been. I don’t pop in that often or have a large budget to spend on my hobby but every time I have been in I have been made so welcome and the worries and the woes have slipped away as I planned my next sewing project!
I bought my first sewing machine during lockdown when I was refunded £150 from my eldest daughters school trip that was cancelled. I have made tops for myself and my 2 girls, bags, face wipes, key rings, gifts, sun hats! I have enjoyed having a go at lots of small achievable projects and I have loved it!
But that’s not the only reason I threw myself into a hobby. My lovely mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer during lockdown and it has been hard seeing her cope with cancer treatment. I needed a distraction and sewing has offered me that for sure!
So I will keep sewing and be ever thankful that if I need any fabric or bits or bobs or advice I have somewhere on my doorstep where I can get it all.
Thank you.”
Jo’s Story:
“At the beginning of 2020 I was looking forward to a family reunion holiday touring the Scottish Islands in June, to celebrate my 70th birthday. My children live in America and Canada and when international travel was banned I was devastated. Then I searched through my material stash of fat quarters and googled patterns for face masks. I made masks for my family and friends and because they are very light I was able to post them. My local post office was closed so I cycled along footpaths and minor roads to a village post office that had thankfully remained open. I also finished a small wall quilt and a blackwork embroidery project. This all helped to lift my spirits.”
Janet’s Story:
“Sewing during lockdown – manic. So manic that my machine objected. It would groan when I pushed
down the pedal then burst into life too fast. I had to buy a new machine (such a sacrifice).
I intended to make a 40s-style wrap dress for VE day but For the Love of Scrubs took over. I managed
to finish it for VJ day in August.
My attempt at making XXL scrubs was a disaster. The material was white poly cotton – totally see-
through. Dumped the project.
From the NHS to face masks. I made at least fifty despite a national shortage of elastic. They were
not all for me but for relations – although I had to ensure the ones I kept co-ordinated with my
clothes.
My granddaughter started making NHS items and face coverings. She began selling facemasks to
earn money for her second year at uni. She’s now hooked and has lugged her mum’s sewing
machine up to Sheffield. She’s decided to incorporate textiles in her art degree course.
Meanwhile, her mum has my old machine. She’s had it serviced and, touch wood, it will keep
whirring away.
What else have I made? Ultimate trousers, of course, using the unique pattern devised by Leanne
and Carol when I made my first toile. Three pairs in linen, two in denim and one in cord. I’ve some
rust cord waiting for another pair. I love my ultimate trousers.”
Jane’s Story:
“Hi – what a year it’s been! I’ve sewn since the age of 9 , starting on a Singer treadle machine. Made clothes, curtains, my bridesmaids’ dresses and Children’s Christening gowns. 5 years ago I started to learn To make patchwork quilts, but this year produced new challenges! My February birthday money bought an inter locker (more new skills to learn) and then started the scrubs journey! I initially purchased 50m if navy fabric and started making scrubs (I joined the Stamford and Rutland FTLOS group). Then I made more with fabric from the group. I made 2 sets for my cousin (a theatre sister in Surrey) and before masks were compulsory a few sets for elderly friends of my niece in London. As I then moved to helping with home schooling my 6 year old granddaughter I moved onto making masks, which I’m still doing. Between all of this I’ve made 3 baby quilts and numerous sets of dolls clothes for granddaughter’s Barbies! A busy few months! A good job I’m retired!”
Julia’s Story:
“My Mother was a tailoress, making all her own clothes and even trousers and jackets for my Dad. She was still sewing up until a few months before she died at the great age of 95. I didn’t think I had inherited the sewing gene as I hated sewing at school and moved around the class so the teacher never saw my work. However I did manage to pass my ‘O’ level needlework and made my wedding dress – in the early 70’s a much simpler affair than dresses today. I made my own dresses and a lot of my children’s clothes -who remembers the wonderful Cloth Kits?
Work and the fact that clothes became much cheaper and patterns more expensive meant I didn’t touch a sewing machine for years.
When I retired I got the bug for sewing again and started making all sorts of things after scouring Pinterest for ideas. I buy material that takes my fancy never really knowing what I am going to do with it. The picture shows a selection of the things I made from my stash during lockdown. At the beginning I made face masks for family, friends and neighbours – I am now making them all one out of Christmas material.
Sewing certainly kept me sane and busy as I am sure it has for many people. I look forward to a time when we can return to normality. Keep well everyone until then.”
Bettina’s Story:
“I saw your sewing week post. A scrapbook is a brilliant idea. A truly unique record of this truly unique time.
For me 2020 sewing was a great way of coping with the unusual situation we were in.
I wanted to do something, to care, to help the NHS and essential workers. Sewing for Scrubs helped with this. I sewed bags, scrubs and facemasks. I felt I was part of something big, a caring, sewing community.
Sewing was a quiet, mindful way to spend my time. I sewed lots of colourful clothes for me. The bright fabrics were uplifting to work with
I also enjoyed and appreciated the sewing community. The supportive Sew Well Dressed Facebook group, sewing social media, the online Sewing Weekender with 20,000 participants and, of course, the smiling face of Leanne from Gather ‘N’ Sew delivering supplies to my front door during Lockdown.
Sewing has been a lifeline.”
Teresa’s Story:
“Hi, Most of my sewing this summer has been medical scrubs, it feels like a pile the size of an elephant! My own projects are still waiting apart from some cushions for my patio set which I have also treated to a new coat of paint. Back to the scrubs for sewing week though and because I was supplied with a long length of conker brown to stitch I raided my stash of forest fabrics (one day I will make that woodland quilt – honest!) to make these autumn themed tops – the trousers are plain brown. There is some blue check in my latest delivery so I feel a visit to gather and sew coming on for some seaside fabric to do something similar with a nautical theme!”
Kate’s Story:
“Here are my 2 little stories for you.
I think I may have only met Jaki twice, but via social media, especially Instagram, over lockdown we have had lots of little chats and traded lots of notes and tips through each other posting our makes. The most recent being the zip fly of the Megan Neilson Ash Jeans.
Secondly, as you know, my girls are both still primary school age, in years 3 and 5 as the schools shut in the spring. I found myself working entirely from home, and making sure the girls had completed something that resembled a daily lesson. In the early days this was quite intense, and my sewing machine gave me an escape from the troubles of the world. During the 24 weeks we were at home I completed 30 projects, and significantly reduced my fabric stash. A couple of makes have turned out to not be so successful, but the vast majority have been successes, and have kept me sane in the process, and enabled the first story to take place ?
I would also like to say that neither of the above would have happened without your super customer service and personal touch during what were incredibly tough times. So a big thank you to you too x”
We are so touched and inspired by all of these wonderful stories and thank you again to everyone who shared them with us. Sewing has a special place in our hearts anyway, but this year sewing has truly played it’s part in what has been a challenging year to say the least.
So please keep on sewing. You are all wonderful and we can’t wait to see more of your sewing journeys’.
Happy sewing,
Leanne
Discover a bit more about Leanne and her sewing story
