Patched Together
Patched Together is a collaborative community artwork made by Lewisham residents throughout 2020 and 2021
Every 2 weeks Patchers were provided a different creative pack with all the equipment and materials they needed to learn a new textiles technique. The makers who range from age 7 to over 75 all had different experience levels before joining the project, some had never used a needle and thread before. Priority was given to those who were feeling particularly isolated and vulnerable at this difficult time.
Patched Together brought together over 120 Lewisham residents through creativity even though we had to be apart. The makers wrote each other messages and kept in touch over whatsapp and participated in zoom classes. The skills taught through the kits were: printing, appliqué, weaving, darning, embroidery and embellishment.
The project was coordinated by Jaime Greenly & Tracey Mee who run Make Mee Studio CIC a sewing social enterprise based in Lewisham.
Round 1 funded by Lewisham based Charity Community Waves.
Round 2 Funded by The Mayor of London MAKE London Fund.
Make Mee Studio CIC is a sewing social enterprise proudly based in Lewisham. Their aim is to mend our relationship with clothing by empowering children and adults with sewing and creative skills. Saving the planet one stitch at a time. They teach weekly classes for children and adults and a whole host of free community workshops and events.
APPLIQUé
Appliqué is a decorative textile technique where smaller bits of fabric are sewn onto a larger piece to create a picture or pattern.
Darning
Darning is a tradition mending technique where thread is interwoven across a hole or a weak patch.
EMBELLISHMENT
Adding decorative details such as lace, buttons or beads.
EMBROIDERY
The art of applying a design to cloth with a needle and thread.
Transferring a design onto fabric with paint. Block and lino print were used here.
