Today’s Quilter – September 2019

(sharon) #1
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INSPIRATIONlback story


T


hismonth,wesharetheinspiring
storyofa socialenterprisethat’s
transformingthelivesofwomen
inSouthEastScotlandthroughcraft.
Founder,HazelSmithhadthevision
tocreatea safe,friendlyandsupportive
spaceinthecoastaltownofEyemouth,
wherewomencanlearnpracticalskillsin
craftsandsewing.ReTweedhasattracted
volunteerswithsucha broadrangeofskills
thattheyarenowdesigningandcreating
theirownproductranges,collaborating
withorganisationssuchastheScottish
Parliamenttocreatebespokeproducts,and
expandingtheirpremisestoaccommodate
a businessincubatorfor fledgling creative
craftbusinesses.
“Weoerhelpandsupporttowomen
whoarefindingtheroadforwardintheir
livesandcareerstricky”,explainedHazel.
Theirtenth12-weektrainingcourse
kicks o this autumn and provides practical

guidance,one-to-onetrainingindesign
andtheopportunityforwomentocreate
theirownhandmadeitems.Theyalso
organisea rangeofthriftandcreative
workshopsforthecommunityona variety
oftopics,includingsewingmachine
basics,patchwork,appliqué,woolcrafts,
ragrugging,upholsteryand many other
upcyclingactivities.
ReTweedis a successstoryonsomany
levels;addressingeconomic,socialand
environmentalissues,whilealsoengaging
withtheregion’srichtextilehistory.Given
theincreasinglandfillcrisisanda growing
demandforethicalfashionandcrafts,it’sa
socialenterprisemodelthathasstruckgold
andhasbeentheimpetusforothersimilar
projects.Mostofall,however,perhaps
itsmostvaluablecontributionis bringing
womentogether,creatingfriendships,
providingmutualsupportandgivingthem
the confidence to realise their aspirations.

Doyouhavea quiltwitha taleto tell?Letus know,andyoucouldbe featuredontheBackStorypage!Email
[email protected] or writetoTo d a y ’s Q u i l t e r, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 4ST

CHANGING LIVES,


CREATING FUTURES
ReTweed is a social enterprise in Scotland with sewing at its heart

De-stashing?
Whynotdonateto ReTweed...

Donationsof alltypesof
textilesaregratefullyreceived
byReTweedandwillbe
creativelytransformedinto
artisanfurnishings,fashions
andcrafts.Coulda projectlike
ReTweedflourishin yourlocal
area?They’vealreadyinspired
a similarinitiative Weaving
a FutureforEskdale in
DumfriesandGalloway.

Formoreinformationabout
ReTweed,contacttheteam
[email protected]
thewebsitewww.retweed.com

YoucanalsofollowReTweed
onInstagramandTwitter via
@weareretweed

Topleft,centreandbelowright,
ReTweedsella rangeof bagsandhome
accessoriesat theirEyemouthshopand
online;TopRight ,LondonbasedDesign
& Alterleda workshopwithReTweed
showingthemhowtocreatesellable
items;BelowLeft,ReTweed’sHazelSmith
withJudithJohnson,ProjectManager
fromtheLangholmInitiative (photograph
by Jason Railton)
Free download pdf