For 40 years, the Witswatersand Embroiderers Guild has been crafting something wonderful at their weekly meeting held at Roosevelt Park Recreation Centre.
Initially starting out of a member’s home, the guild has managed to cross stitch together people within the community who share a love for an artform that implores patience and celebrates the creation of something unique.
Read more: The Witwatersrand Embroiderers Guild looks forward to restarting gatherings in January
The Northcliff Melville Times sat down with its chairperson, Danny Wimpy, who shared how many of their members have been with the club for a number of years. Their 80 members meet either on Tuesdays, or every second and fourth Saturday of the month.
Wimpy said embroidery is like any craft – one should just do it. “There shouldn’t be a question of intimidation – you should decide and just do it! By doing this, you learn and get better,” she said passionately.
She said there are lots of mental health benefits that embroidery can aid to. “It is like some form of meditation and you are putting in your own creativity into something.”
Workshops are also run throughout the year covering various topics. So far they have had on: goldwork, shadow work, smocking, Australian cross stitch and Dorset buttons – which is coming back into fashion.
She fondly reflected on a workshop they had this year on sashiko, (a Japanese stitching style that was originally used by working-class people as a means to mend used clothing). Wimpy loves the idea that this style of stitching is not only thrifty, it also shows respect and reverence to one’s garments. This type of stitching involves salvaging an old clothing item through stitching a patch on in a decorative way. “Centuries ago in Japan, sashiko was actually poor people’s work, so it had little value then compared to now, and now they are valuable, precious garments.”
Also read: How to create a felt heart craft for Mothers Day
Some of the challenges faced by the guild is their ageing membership. They would love for the younger generation to join. “We have a member who runs beginner’s embroidery classes and teaches basic stitches, giving basic projects.” They also, unfortunately, do not have any men as part of the guild – an addition Wimpy said the guild would gladly welcome. She suggested that the lack of male attendance can be attributed to deeply intrenched gender roles.
In the next 40 years, she hopes that the group gains an even more vibrant group of people. She would love to see it being introduced in schools again. People who have spare time in their afternoons should be able to assist with this. “Sometimes you do not have to monetise a hobby, but you can enrich your life.”
Details: Witswatersrand Embroiderers Guild, Danny Wimpy 082 565 6401.
Follow us on our Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok pages. Join our WhatsApp group for any story ideas you may have.
Related article: From Katherine, with love
