Weaving Communities

The New Brighton Stitch-O-Mat is in its fourth year of operation. What began out of a small project to create reusable shopping bags for our local Fruit and Vegetable Co-op has grown exponentially over this time.

Our community sewing sessions are often attended by up to fourteen individuals at any one time and we are inundated by requests from the organisations, businesses and education providers to assist them in their efforts to work sustainably.

A HAPPY PLACE

The project now boasts a regular client base, many of whom view our facility as their ‘happy place’, a place where they are able to experience success, learn and share. Our name and reputation as a welcoming and accessible place for people within the Christchurch community continues to grow.

It is essential that all people have places where they feel welcomed, safe and are able to relax. This is especially true for those who live alone. Facility users speak of Stitch-O-Mat as their therapy, it is increasingly recognised that such art and crafts based ‘prescription’s’ play a crucial role in wellbeing.

WORKING TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY

In the face of increasing concerns about environmental pollution and the impact of climate change more and more people, organisations and businesses are seeking opportunities to mitigate their impact, they are concerned about their consumption and the waste they produce and are looking for ways to address this. For many cost is prohibitive and we, at Stitch-O-Mat remove this obstacle.

YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED

We are always seeking to expand the services we offer our community. With your generous contribution to this Boosted campaign, we will be able to provide a 'Sew Skilled Saturdays' introductory course.

In this course, participants will learn basic sewing techniques, and develop understandings of patterns, fabrics and garment construction. They will sew a variety of projects and garments to develop their skills and creativity.

Help us make this project happen by backing this Boosted campaign, ultimately making a more sustainable way of living accessible to all. 

Thank you, 

The Stitch-O-Mat whānau.