Knitters and sewers club
“Threadbangers” and wool aficionados getting together to work with fibre. Photo: Ina Holst.
Saturday mornings at Takaka’s Sewing Shop are hub of activity as “threadbangers” and wool aficionados get together to create, recycle and restyle anything to do with fibre.
Proprietor Sue Latimer offers her space for “frustration-free sewing in a supportive environment with the right thread” by introducing threadbangers—a new concept based on internet tutorials to fashion and refashion wardrobes simply and cheaply.
Sue provides free thread, her sturdy sewing machines, scissors and cutting tables, and most of all the necessary advice when and if required, all for $10 a day. Bring your own sewing machine and thread and pay only a gold coin donation.
“This is about group sewing—bring a friend or two and share the room and the cost—and get inspired by being with others, and there is help is you need it. I have good old solid sewing machines and people do not need to be worried about breaking anything. People just need to bring fibre and a laptop if possible; the rest is all here,” says Sue.
She suggests that those who come to town to shop or get their hair done might bring along their craft projects and spend some uninterrupted time with like-minded people.
“There are some men seats out there too,” she says.
In the same space, Coletta de Tombe has kicked off a knitting and crotchet club for all levels, ages and genders to encourage people to be creative and to make something that does not require a huge investment.
“What inspired me to do this is when I joined the spinning and weaving group and got back into traditional crafts. I want to share my knowledge, especially with young people, but I am open to all—to learn to make something inexpensively, to learn these crafts and to get them on the road to creativity,” said Coletta. “Teens especially have a lot of time on their hands and they can get a wool jumper from Trash Palace and undo it and they have the wool almost for free. I show people basic stitches—and especially crotchet is very fast—and people can make a finished project in two to three hours. They realise that they can actually make something, and that is very encouraging.”
She teaches by one-to-one instruction and she emphasises that this is not a regular class. People can come as often as they like and even just drop in if they need help with their project.
“I do say it’s for beginners to encourage people to come who have never done anything like this, but I also had people dropping in with their knitting to have some company. My first person was a man who wanted to relearn how to knit,” says Coletta. “On the internet there are lots of easy patterns, and I start off with cell phone covers, all in one piece, and crotchet roses made from three rows of crotchet stitches. I am looking for small projects to inspire people. I don’t charge people. I am only asking for a koha. Sue is giving us the space for free and even provides tea and coffee. It is very casual and sociable.”
The knitting and crotchet club is meeting every Saturday, from 10.30am to 12 noon at The Sewing Shop. Threadbangers meets every Saturday starting April 9 from 10am to 3pm.
Ina Holst
