This is a friendly group of machine sewers, who work on a wide variety of individual projects using members own sewing machines. This is not a tutor led group, so members should be competent in using their machine, although group members are always willing to help and guide each other. If you are new to sewing, contact the group leader as you may still be able to join and have an experienced "buddy" allocated to you to help you learn.

The group has access to most of the tools required for sewing including an iron and ironing board, cutting mat, patchwork ruler, Overstitch machine and two spare (basic) sewing machines for members to use at the venue. So you are still able to join before making the commitment of buying your own machine.

Being a friendly group and enjoy an occasional day trip or group meal at an additional cost. Our Christmas meal is planned for the 19th December and will take place after the normal sewing session. All group members are welcome to join us.

Contact – Email Jenni or phone 07920 424779

Meeting dates 2026

Month	Date	Date	Date
January	2nd	16th	30th
February	13th	27th
March	13th	27th
April	10th	24th
May	8th	22nd
June	5th	19th
July	3th	17th	31st
August	14th	28th
September	11th	25th
October	9th	23rd
November	6th	20th
December	4th	18th

2026 Group Project

This years project is to make fabric hearts to be donated to the UHNM Charity. The hearts are held on the Palliative Care ward and one is given the the patient and another is given to the family of the patient. When the patient passes, their heart is kept with them.

2025 Group Projects - Completed

During 2025 we worked on two projects, the "fiddle item" project for local Care Homes and also we are participating in the Table Runner project for Lichfield Cathedral.

The group made a total of 10 fidget items, 3 cushions, 1 hand warmer and six lap blankets. These have now been distributed to Orsett House Care Home in Barlaston and Hilderstone Hall Care Home in Hilderstone for use by Dementia patients. Each item is covered in activities for patients to do including zips, buttons, textures, sounds and bright colours.

Table for the Nation

The Table for the Nation will be in residency at Lichfield Cathedral for one year, for all to see. It is 13m long and made from Fenland Black Oak that is approximately 5000 years old. Common Threads is a project in partnership with the Fabric Vault shop in Lichfield to produce a table runner for the table. The runner is to be made by the Diocese community and displayed on the table until it moves on to it's next location. It's hoped that the runner will continue to be displayed in Lichfield after the table has moved on. Each square on the runner will represent an important moment in Lichfield's history, the Diocese of Lichfield, something important to the square's creator or seasons.

Below are pictures of the squares that group members have created for the Table for The Nation Table Runner.

2024 Group Project - Completed.

The Sew and Sew group has recently handed over a quilt that we made for Breast Cancer.

The quilt was inspired by a large donation of fabric to the group last year.  Amongst the fabric was a large piece of cotton fabric with a Breast Cancer pattern to it.  Group Leader Jenni, said “It seemed a pity not to use the fabric for the benefit of someone going through a Breast Cancer diagnosis.  So, I asked the group if we could all contribute to making a quilt” Happily all the group agreed, and the first group project was born.

The donated fabric was used as a backing to the quilt as the dark colour seemed to make this more appropriate.  Pink and green were chosen as complementary colours for the top of the quilt. Pink as it is the colour most often connected to breast cancer and green to make the quilt seem light and cheerful.

Each member of the group made one or more patchwork blocks to add to the quilt.  The blocks were collated by Pam, our project leader.  Pam also provided technical support to those of the group that had never tried quilting or patchwork before, and boy wasn’t she needed! When sufficient blocks had been made Pam joined them together, and quilting began, with group members taking it in turns.  Pam added a label and binding to finish the quilt off.

“Thank you, Pam, for volunteering to lead the project and the work you have done and the support you gave to those members of the group that needed it” - Jenni, Group Leader

The result of all this hard work is in the picture, and has now been presented to Jackie Mackenzie, Founder of Pink Sisters and Misters, a local cancer support charity based in Stoke on Trent. The charity gives help and advice “chemo care kits” to those undergoing treatment. Jackie was so pleased with the quilt that she wants more than one patient to benefit from the work we have done, so the quilt is going to the charity’s caravan in Wales and can be seen and used by all of the visitors.

More information about Pink Sisters and Misters can be found on their website at www.pinksisters.co.uk

The group enjoyed the project so much that we have decided to do another one this year, making Fidget Blankets/Aprons and or Muffs for local dementia patients.

The Sew and Sew Group is a popular machine and hand sewing group.  We only have a few spaces left, so if you would like to know more, or join us, please contact Jenni Pagett the group leader on 07920424779.