Judi Coe

An exhibition by the Ukrainian Quilter’s Association titled ‘War. Peace. Future.’ was the highlight of a one-day coach trip for Sew Positive Ukrainian participants, who travelled with Sew Positive volunteers to Birmingham NEC to see the wider Festival of Quilts exhibition.

Following on from the charity’s Crewelwork embroidery course for Ukrainian refugees who have settled in Cambridge city, it allowed the group to continue fostering friendships and to explore creativity.

This was the first such trip Sew Positive had arranged and gave different communities the chance to come together to learn about how stitching can express the emotions, trauma and hope relating to war. Benefiting from reduced isolation and increased social connection, visitors were able to understand the trauma of war across Ukrainian culture through the medium of sewing.

For some, the experience of a trip leaving the city was a first, and something they said they would not have done on their own, giving them confidence to consider other trips and to request that Sew Positive arranges similar excursions.

Feedback from participants was universally positive

“It was great to go to the Quilts Festival in Birmingham and see Ukrainian works among the huge variety of quilts represented there. It was the way to connect to my homeland, to share something about Ukraine with the rest of the group and to see how they could connect with Ukraine and Ukrainian works just from looking at them. The Ukrainian quilt with woman looking at the plane above her head  [below] was very touching. It was about dreaming and hoping for the best in the hardest moments of your life, and not giving up. I am sure these are the situations we can all relate to, regardless (of the )differences in our experiences. Besides that, there were many absolutely impressive quilts that looked like art. I found it very inspiring and motivating to see them. It was also good to connect with the rest of the group members during the travel. I had a few wonderful conversations and exchanged contacts with new people.”

One of the exhibits. Credit: Ukrainian Quilter’s Association

“I enjoyed the trip to the Birmingham Quilt Festival 2024 very much. I made some new friends and learned much about British culture. I was surprised by the number of people who were there and the number and variety of goods you can buy. I am under the impact of the works of the Ukrainian Quilt Association. This technique is rather new in Ukraine and I’m proud that my countrymen took part in such an honourable exhibition with great success. I bought a kit and will try to learn to sew it.”

“I have so much more understanding of what the feelings and emotions must be to be displaced by war now. And it’s not something I have experienced or ever met people, until now, who have lived with this either. It was so moving. I had actual goosebumps. We were close to tears reading the stories and beautiful stitching. The work was outstanding…it was very powerful indeed”.

“It has been great, I got to visit the festival of Quilts for the first time and it was energising and inspiring. So many ideas to create new things, new projects and the company of friends was invaluable. I wouldn’t have gone and done all that on my own. Thank you for the opportunity.”

“ Thank you so much for the trip! I never would’ve had the chance to go on my own…and to experience it with you guys was an amazing opportunity and memory I will keep.”

“I have so enjoyed the trip to the Festival of Quilts… So inspiring to see all the wonderful quilts on display. It’s been the most uplifting day spent with such a friendly group of people and seeing such a variety of fabrics and craft techniques on display.”

“Your lessons are always perfect. Thank you for organising this trip! I felt absolutely happy. So many talented people in one place and such a beautiful exhibition! Thank you very much.”

Sew Positive is grateful for the funding for this activity, which was provided by Cambridge City Council United with Ukraine Grant, with further support from CambsCuisine via the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation.

Ukrainian Sew Positive participants were able to spend the day at the Festival of Quilts

Sew Positive’s recent collaboration with The Red Hen Project – a fellow charity committed to the wellbeing of families – was an eight-week course focusing on the art of mending, repairing, upcycling and repurposing materials.

Read about how participants experienced a transformative journey, gaining new skills and building lasting relationships, in a blog on the Red Hen website here.

Participant Luna with the boro bag she made

Participants with the boro bags they made in collaboration with The Red Hen Project

Amazing Sew Positive volunteers

A photograph of Sew Positive participants – showing off fabulous lampshades made from upcycled and donated fabrics – won the Cambridge Centre for Voluntary Services (CCVS) photo competition 2023!

Sew Positive won the People’s Vote with a wonderful photo taken after participants made lampshades at its Cultivate course funded by Cambridgeshire County Council. The photographer was Melissa Santiago Val, the charity’s founder and CEO.

This course was a Social Prescribing programme aimed at people over 65 who are at risk of social care need, involving the use creative of sewing, upcycling and crafts to address social isolation.

It’s amazing what you can do with old clothes and textiles! Join Sew Positive to learn how to turn redundant fabric into an attractive plant holder.

Sew Positive – the Cambridge charity that uses sewing to support isolated people and help improve mental health – is offering two opportunities next month for you to come along with your unwanted fabric and go away with a useful planter for your home.

Learn to make your own upcycled denim planters using old jeans and a 2-litre plastic bottle. Come and take part in a fun, slow-stitching workshop to calm your mind and help the planet. Bring a clean 2-litre straight-sided soft drink bottle and your old denim (or it will be supplied). No sewing skills are needed!

The first free workshop takes place on Monday 23rd October from 2pm – 4pm  at Cambridge Grand Arcade, First Floor,  where Sew Positive is taking part in the week-long series of events called Let’s Go Circular 2023.  The workshop is preceded the same day by a taster ‘Sewcialise’ session (10am to 12 noon), where people are invited to bring their own sewing projects to work on in a friendly and supportive environment. This session is for people with basic sewing skills to mend or make their own projects (not alterations). Volunteers will also be on hand and selected upcycled materials provided.

Later that week, a second planter workshop is planned for Thursday 26th October from 2-5pm at Akeman Street Community Centre, where Sew Positive is involved in the Food for the Planet Festival.  The festival, organised by Cambridge City Council and Cambridge Sustainable Food, encourages people to grow their own food and make positive steps to tackle climate change at a personal level.

Book your place for any of these events at Sew Positive Linktree