Why Stitching in Company is Good for the Soul
Sewing’s always been one of those quietly joyful things. The whir of a machine, the feel of fabric slipping under your fingers, the satisfying click of shears. You get lost in it. But for all its solitary calm, something lovely happens when you sew with others.
That’s the idea behind our Thursday evening sewing socials at The Wallington Sewing TheraBee. They’re not classes, not workshops, just a chance to bring your sewing, sit among others, and enjoy the gentle buzz of creativity (and probably a few biscuits too). It’s low-key, friendly, and genuinely one of the nicest ways to spend a few hours midweek.
So, what exactly is a sewing social? And why might you want to come along? Let’s unravel the benefits of stitching in good company.
What Even Is a Sewing Social?
It’s pretty much what it sounds like. You turn up with whatever you’re working on, maybe you’re piecing a quilt, fixing a hem, or finally starting that dress pattern you’ve been staring at for two months, and you sew. Around you are others doing the same.
There’s no pressure. No set projects. Just sewing, talking, laughing, maybe a bit of mutual unpicking when someone sews their sleeve in upside down (it happens). And the beauty of it is, even if you come in feeling a bit tired or fed up, you usually leave feeling better.
Our sewing socials happen every Thursday evening right here in Wallington, Surrey. You don’t need to bring a machine, unless you want to, we’ve got some you can use. And if you forget your unpicker or run out of thread, well, we’ve got that too.
The Unexpected Perks of Sewing Together
You’d think sewing would be one of those “me time” activities, and it absolutely can be, but doing it in company brings something else entirely. A few things, actually.
You Actually Get Stuff Done
You know how sometimes a project sits in a bag for weeks because you just haven’t had the energy to tackle it? But then you show up at a sewing social and suddenly, there you are, pinning your pieces together, chatting about zips and accidentally sewing over your pins. It’s weirdly motivating. Maybe it’s the atmosphere, maybe it’s just seeing everyone else being productive. Either way, it helps.
You Learn Things Without Realising It
It’s not a class, but you learn things anyway. Someone next to you might be using a different method to finish their seams, or recommend a better interfacing, or casually mention a pattern company you’ve never tried. These little exchanges add up.
You also get to see how others tackle the exact same problem differently. And sometimes that’s more helpful than any YouTube tutorial.
You Get Inspired Again
Sewing can get a bit samey if you always make the same types of things. But at a sewing social, you’re surrounded by people doing all sorts, quilting, dressmaking, hand sewing, even a bit of bag-making. And suddenly you’re thinking, “Actually, I’ve never made a bag…” and you’re off down a new rabbit hole.
It’s not about competition. It’s just a reminder of how many ways there are to be creative with fabric.
What Makes The Wallington Sewing TheraBee Different?
At its heart, The Wallington Sewing TheraBee is about more than just fabric. Yes, we’re a fabric shop. Yes, we run courses and classes. But it’s also a place where people connect, relax, and feel at ease. You don’t have to be brilliant at sewing. You just have to enjoy it.
We’ve had people come along who hadn’t touched a sewing machine in years. Others who only hand sew. Some who’ve been sewing since the 70s. It really doesn’t matter.
There’s no pretence here. Just a warm welcome and probably someone with a biscuit tin.
Who Comes to Our Sewing Socials?
All sorts of people, really. We’ve had mums escaping for a bit of creative headspace, teenagers making their own clothes, retirees quilting memory blankets, and total beginners trying out something new. Some come every single week, others drop in when they can. Everyone adds something to the mix.
No one cares if your seams aren’t straight, or if your pattern instructions are upside down. That’s not what it’s about.
What to Expect If You Come Along
- A friendly space where you can do your own thing at your own pace
- Big tables, decent lighting, cutting mats, irons and machines you can use
- People to chat with, or not, if you’d rather get your head down
- Help if you get stuck, even if it’s just a “have a look at this and tell me what I’m doing wrong” moment
- A bit of laughter, a few fabric recommendations, and usually more tea than you meant to drink
Honestly, even if you forget your project, you’ll probably end up helping someone else or planning your next make.
It’s More Than Just Sewing
This might sound overly sentimental, but sewing socials can be good for your mental health. Not in a deep, heavy way necessarily, just in that gentle “this feels nice” sort of way.
You’re doing something with your hands. You’re surrounded by people who get the joy of buying fabric you don’t technically need. You’re not on your phone (well, not much), and for a few hours, you’re just… present.
It’s hard to explain, but if you know, you know.
Fancy Joining Us?
If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, we’d love to see you. Our sewing socials run every Thursday evening in Wallington. You need to book your place as they are limited by the space we have. You can do so HERE . Your first session is free in which case use our contact us form and I’ll reserve you a free place.
Bring a project, bring a friend, or just bring yourself.
Sewing doesn’t have to be a solo pursuit
In fact, some of the best stitching happens with others around you, even if you’re all working on completely different things.
There’s something lovely about being part of a small community that shares this quiet, practical kind of creativity. So if you’ve been feeling stuck, uninspired, or just fancy an evening out that doesn’t involve a screen or a pub, come along to one of our sewing socials.
We’ll put the kettle on.
This sounds like a great idea
We think so we started just after lock-down and were still going strong.