Sashiko Project

Sashiko project pilot session delivered at the Chapel in the Fields

On Thursday 21 November 2024, a sashiko project pilot session was delivered at the Chapel in the Fields. This connection came about through a participant from Boaz Trust, demonstrating how the project is organically fostering connections within the community.

There was a great turnout for the session, which was met with enthusiasm and positive feedback. 

Here’s what some of the participants had to say:

“Very relaxing and absorbing. Also, a lovely 'togetherness' feeling working together. I loved the lack of design and freedom to let the needle flow.”

“Very relaxing and engaging. Focus on creation and not on 'life'. Love that it doesn't need to be perfect, and the design can be beautiful and not need to be uniform.”

 A collection of sashiko project textile patches completed by participants at Chapel in the Fields

Sashiko project pilot at Laureate House

On Wednesday 16 October 2024, a sashiko project pilot session was delivered on Anderson Ward at Laureate House, and it was a hit! Both staff and service users came together to try their hand at this calming, Japanese embroidery technique, creating a shared space of unity and collaboration.

The tactile nature and hands-on process of stitching and creating something tangible helps to ground participants in the present moment. This physical sensory engagement can be incredibly soothing, offering a sense of calm and focus that supports emotional wellbeing and mental clarity.

Creative activities like this are at the heart of building strong connections in recovery, providing the opportunity to bring staff and patients together in a shared experience. Through creativity, service users are reminded that they’re not facing their journey alone - staff are actively engaged with them, side by side, creating together.

Here is what the participants had to say:

"I found the activity very calming, and it was a really peaceful moment for me. I do a lot of intuitive quilting with scraps, so this felt familiar for me. I liked that the denim frayed as I was able to use the thread that had come off to sew more. The repetitive motions with sewing are almost meditative."

"Completely engaged. Relaxing, highly enjoyable. I loved having the time to interact with the materials, letting my mood and the textures dictate what I was doing to create a tiny ‘perfect’ piece of art/therapy/mending, representing me, a moment in time and creating a lovely memory - who knew denim could be so therapeutic."

"It made me very relaxed, but I still felt focused and also able to engage in conversation. It was the perfect balance that led me into a very mindful state. I want to do it again and again! I also love the philosophy behind it, and it made me let the perfectionist side of me disappear and this was much needed - thank you."

"I felt focused, I enjoyed it quite a lot. I've never tried it before, and I did not think it would be something I enjoyed but it was the opposite. Once I started, I did not want to quit."

"Very relaxed, love that it can be messy, organic and not perfect. Great to try something new. Very calming and soothing. Love the range of colours to choose from."

"I found it relaxing and something I've not done for a long time."

 A collection of sashiko project textile patches completed by service users and staff on Anderson Ward at Laureate House

Age UK Manchester

At the end of October, we visited Age UK Manchester to collect the incredible sashiko pieces they’ve been crafting, and we were absolutely overwhelmed by the sheer beauty and effort poured into each creation. 

Following the pilot session delivered earlier this year, the group has continued to meet weekly, driven by a growing passion for the project. Their enthusiasm has transformed these gatherings into something truly special, resulting in an impressive array of hand stitched sashiko fabric squares. These pieces will become an integral part of our collaborative installation, a testament to their dedication and creativity. 

When we collected the creations, the room was buzzing with energy and excitement, a tangible reflection of their commitment to the craft and the community they’ve built around it. We couldn’t be more thrilled to incorporate their incredible work into this meaningful project.

  A collection of sashiko project textile patches completed by Age UK Manchester

Peer-led empowerment: From core groups to community collaboration

In an important move towards peer-led support, a newly formed group at START Recovery Pathways will spearhead the creation of the sashiko collaborative textile installation.

This transition from core groups to a more peer-focused environment embodies our commitment to empowering service users and fostering a sense of ownership and camaraderie in their journey towards recovery.

Our volunteer facilitator sewing a red sashiko design on a piece of denim fabric following a white pattern

 

Sashiko project pilot session delivered at Boaz Trust!

On Thursday 26 September 2024, a pilot session of the sashiko project was successfully delivered with the Boaz Trust (Kath Locke Centre).

This initiative is part of our ethos to strengthen ties with the wider community, fostering collaboration and support.

Here’s what some of the participants had to say:

"It was very relaxing. I enjoyed doing it and wanted to do more.”

"I was very focused. I felt happy.”

"I wanted to do more. It was relaxing and I felt very happy.”

"Relaxing, I'd like to do more. Really opened my mind because when thinking what to do, it makes the mind relaxed, it makes you take your stress out."

"Good to learn something new and reflect on how to take something that could be considered 'scraps' and turn it into something new to be proud of. Good to get to know others in the group in a relaxing way."

Participants sewing sashiko designs onto pieces of denim fabric with colourful threads

The Ageing Well group at Age UK Brunswick Village are continuing work on their sashiko stitch pieces.

Through the workshop, group members are gaining social interaction, forming friendships, and increasing their happiness levels. 

A collection of sashiko project textile patches completed by the Ageing Well group at Age UK Brunswick Village

 

The first pilot session for the sashiko project was held at Age UK Manchester, Brunswick Village.

The session was well attended, and the feedback expressed comments about how relaxing and focusing the stitching activity was.

Participants will continue to meet weekly to continue their textile patches that will contribute to the collaborative textile installation.

A participant working on their sashiko project textile patch