Connecting with Like Minded People by Joanne Piner
I myself belong to a craft group which I attend weekly, although at the moment I am the youngest at 53 everyone of my friends brings a wealth of experience in not only sewing but life. Chatting through the morning and when we have a coffee mid morning we are able to talk about our work and discover how everyone has come up with the ideas for their work and also talk about family and what we have been going through in the week. I have found this invaluable over the years. The collaboration of ideas for my next crafting project either with workshops or just by simply looking at someone else’s work and then using it or with just simply chatting about how to go about something I am having an issue with is the pure enjoyment of my group.
There are thousands of community groups in the UK. Either meeting up weekly face to face or online. Social media has also helped millions of people connect with each other on groups with the ability to be able to share and admire each others work. For me Pinterest is a complete rabbit hole that once opened time can just elude me, when I finally finish looking at other peoples pins and look at the time I can see hungry kids and animals as I emerge. I joke of course but there is a wealth of information for us all either sitting at home on your sofa on the internet or by joining a local group and being able to gain that invaluable resource of people and experience which I for one am so grateful for.
So how do we find these groups? I have included the sewing directory to look for local groups and also the craft council for advice on how to set up a group as a resources below Also libraries are invaluable with groups of people meeting up either formally or informally. Council websites can also offer resources to groups that are meeting up locally to you as well as just a search in a search engine on your computer. Of course if you are willing and able you could start your own group if there is none by you locally. Sometimes the hall or library will help to advertise the group and with the added advantage of being able to connect with friends locally on social media you may have a group of people near you that is looking for the same thing?
https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/learning/craft-learning-resources/community-crafting
Being able to meet up, talk and craft and I am not only talking about sewing, I mean any craft like knitting, painting, also hobbies like cameras and photography, wood work, goodness the list is endless but somewhere near you there will be a local group that is running something that will get you out and meeting people with like minds. This for me is the biggest pull. Everyone has different ideas of how they work, what they like to work with and the ability to talk things through. As well as forming firm friendships as I have over the many years I have attended my group. So why not give it a go? Indeed some of you may have to step out of your comfort zone but I can whole heartedly promise there will be somewhere for you to find your people, whether that be face to face or online. It is totally worth it and like me I’m sure you will make lifelong friendships.
Enjoying me time at my local sewing group
Why not check out some of our videos on how to sew
…or maybe my latest video on carding Alpaca fibre or Jacob’s wool
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