“Calming, meditative, a great social activity, a celebration of local creativity, a true collaboration, stimulating” – participant’s response to The Big Stitch Up, 2013

The Big Stitch Up started in the summer of 2013. The vision was to create the biggest picnic blanket possible and to have a big picnic. From the outset the response was remarkable, drawing people from all corners of the community, coming together to hand sew week after week.

The Big Stitch Up extended itself into London classrooms, local businesses, resident associations and many of South London’s parks and open spaces. Mirroring the rich cultural diversities of the communities we live in, it boasts an international cast of creators; from an Italian ice cream maker to an Arsenal youth squad rookie, taking us from Equador to Japan the project has to date brought together over a hundred people.

Using only recycled textiles, the blanket is a vibrant collage of styles, personalities and craftsmanship. From Kaftan to Kimono, velvet to vintage, the installation is a visual feast and a truly collaborative artwork.

2 Minute Interview:

How does your workshop relate to being in the NOW?

How does your workshop relate to being in the NOW?

The simple act of hand sewing has an observable relaxing and peaceful effect on people who participate by focusing the attention.

What are you most looking forward to doing within your slot at NOW?

We are most looking forward to the beautiful patchwork blanket to be once again displayed and used by the local community. We also look forward to Deptford’s contribution in making the picnic blanket even bigger.

Any tips on how the audience can most benefit from your workshop? 

The audience can be a part of this project on many levels: They can simply sit on the blanket and enjoy being part of it, they can learn a new skill, share existing skills or use this as an opportunity to recycle and reuse textiles creatively.

At Deptford Lounge:

For the 2014 NOW/Anxiety Festival, the 7m x 6.5m picnic blanket will be displayed in the Deptford Lounge. We will invite the Deptford community to further the creation of the blanket. This will be done through:

• Textile Donations – we will set up a donation box for local people to donate their recycled textiles
• Pattern cutting – we will have a pattern cutting station where the textiles will be prepared
• Hand sewing – people will be invited to hand sew the patches together (this will be done while sitting on the picnic blanket).
• Creating a ‘Machining Station’ – one sewing machine will be used to back the hand sewn work. The Deptford contributions will be added in situ to the existing blanket over the course of the workshop, revealing Deptford’s involvement in the artwork right away.