Corby Patchwork Pals lockdown community arts project is sew good

A Corby art project launched during lockdown has been given The High Sheriff of Northamptonshire's seal of approval after bringing the community together.

The Patchwork Pals group was organised by Corby Community Arts as lockdown began, providing a creative outlet for people who would have otherwise been isolated.

With funding from the Northamptonshire Community Foundation, 21 crafters - some novices - spent four months creating individual squares that were stitched together into a hanging.

High Sheriff Paul Parsons, who is a trustee for the foundation, visited the project members to see the finished artwork and to congratulate the artists.

He said: "I am blown away by the quality and the range of ideas. They have fantastic imaginations. It's been great to hear the stories of the people doing this during lockdown.

"The sense of purpose it has given people is wonderful to see."

Kate Dyer, director of Corby Community Arts, said: "When lockdown happened, the community foundation were very quick off the mark to set up a Covid response.

"Through our existing client base we were looking for people who were isolated and or shielding. The idea had to be something that they could do on their own but would come together that's why patchwork was perfect."

Starting in April, members of the Patchwork Pals worked at their own pace using an initial pack of materials provided by the Corby Community Arts with participants choosing their own design.

Many were inspired by lockdown themes including the NHS, gardening and the natural world.

Team members then delivered any further art materials face-to-face, to replenish thread, glue and other items needed by the Pals

Communicating by Facebook messenger, the sewers could chat about their work but did not see the 36 squares until the finished pieces had been collected and stitched together.

Kate said: "People could share their ideas and techniques. I am pleased with how it turned out. We knew there were some people with some fabulous skills out there.

"It was amazing how it came together. We had the big reveal in August which was the first time they had met up and seen the work."

The 4m by 2m hanging will be on show in a shop window in New Post Office Square until October 23.

Ann Leonard, who took part in the project, said: "It was very interesting and diverting. I learnt some new skills along the way.

"It was really nice to see a new person coming up the path with a bag of stuff. It was really, really fun and it might give some people the confidence to go to an art class who might not have the bottle to go to one before."

Janice Crane said: "I would have lost my mind if it hadn't taken place. It's given me purpose. I have very bad eyesight so having the project find me all these little things and bring them was really good. Kate was like a ray of sunshine."

Project member Susan Shier had been told to shield because she had received a new kidney in 2011. A professional machinist by trade, she had to turn her hand to more creative sewing.

She said: "Lockdown was a shock to the system. I had to ask people to get shopping for me.

"I was an industrial sewer so this fine work was all new to me. Being inside but knowing Kate was coming was great. I looked forward to seeing her. It was great for my mental health."

The ladies now keep in touch with a regular coffee morning and have started another sewing project together.

Susan added: "It has given us hope for the future."

Patchwork Pals is currently on show in Corby town centre in New Post Office Square until October 23. Corby Community Arts is looking for a permanent home for the artwork in the town.

Message from the editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.