After Antrim Technical College closed, some of the ladies in the Sewing/Embroidery class decided to form a group of their own. Most had completed several City & Guilds courses, Soft Furnishings, Embroidery, Patchwork & Quilting etc. and didn't want to pursue more qualifications. A couple of us volunteered to research venues and visited various community centres, halls etc. in the Antrim area. After talking to David at The Arches in Randalstown and discussing our findings with the rest of the potential group, it was decided that as long as we had a group of 6-7, it would be financially viable. And so in the September of 2010, 9-10 ladies formed 'Get Stitched'. All but one of us are Senior Citizens - all young in mind and spirit if not body!
We meet from September to June on Monday afternoons, about 1.30pm in a room at Arches House, run by The Randalstown Arches Association. It isn't a teaching group (although a couple of us are qualified to teach in this field); it's not really for absolute new-comers to sewing. Each works on their own sewing project. There is a wealth of skills and experience between us, plenty of help/advice/encouragement to call on. Financially, we do not make a profit and as long as we cover the hire of the room every month, we'll keep going. Every week each of us pays £2.50 into the kitty (occasionally £3 if needed) and 30p into the piggy for tea at 3.00pm (very important is tea-break!). Usually, someone brings a packet of biscuits but we keep everything informal and democratic. We don't have any membership or ask for commitment, attendance is totally up to the individual. We take part in Randalstown Festival Week by putting on a window display of our work. The ladies in 'Get Stitched' come from Ballymena, Kells, Antrim, Magherafelt and Randalstown and we try to make our get-togethers convenient to all. So far every year we have had an 'outing' in June before we finish for the summer. We visit the Baird McNutt linen factory where we have the opportunity to buy linen remnants (or metres from the roll), then we go on to have afternoon tea (last 2 years at the Ross Park Hotel). Between June and September when the group does not meet for sewing, we try to organise a get-together, afternoon tea at Clotworthy House in Antrim's Castle Grounds. In December, we have Christmas lunch - the last 2 years at The Ramble Inn, Lisnenenagh Road. Sewing is our focus but we have great chat and friendship, so it's definitely sociable sewing!!
Telephone the Arches in Randalstown 028 94478471 or Carolyn 028 25892896 or Just come along!
Adults with sewing skills.
No.
Weekly fee £2.50 (on attendance only)
Weekly between September and June
Arches House, Main Street, Randalstown
Sewing experience
Improve sewing skills, swap ideas, get encouragement, but this is not formally a teaching group
Must actively participate by working on own sewing project.
Mostly Senior Citizens but all welcome (adults)