Mary Spring and Terri Howell are using a time-honoured skill—sewing—to bring community together.
The pair have been offering free sewing classes to local youth since 2015 thanks to a District of Muskoka Pay It Forward grant. They used the funds to purchase sewing machines and supplies and began offering the landscape quilting workshops to youth living in Muskoka’s outlying areas. They proved popular and the program was expanded.
They also invited everyone in the community to help them create two Canada 150 quilts that were later donated to the Town of Huntsville.
And the women and their machines, aided by 12 volunteers, brought community together once again at Nuit Blanche North.
Their proposal for the popular street festival was for a project called ‘How Will I Change?’ They were approved and used the funding to purchase cotton fabric, Sharpies and lots and lots of coloured ribbon.
“The plan was for people to think of a quote, a poem, words that show how they might respond to issues in the world today, such as #MeToo, climate change, gun control, and community,” said Spring. “People were asked to write the message, picture or symbol onto a piece of fabric with Sharpies. Then they went to a sewing machine and sewed on their choice of ribbons. Then they sewed their piece of fabric onto the main ribbon which made the flag.”
Spring said that many people—at least 150 from age three to eighty-plus—stopped during the event to create their contribution to the peace flag. “There were men, women and children. Families did their work together. It was a very hands on and inclusive activity. Everyone was welcome. It was so much fun.”
Many people asked where the peace flag would eventually hang, but Spring and Howell didn’t have an answer.
So Spring brought the peace flag home and hung it in the trees. She took a picture and sent it to Dan Watson, the lead organizer for Nuit Blanche North, and expressed interest in finding a spot to hang the peace flag in town. It found its home outside Town Hall.
“I think that the project was very timely, especially because of the political issues that are taking place in Ontario as well as the U.S.,” said Spring. “The recent shootings in Toronto were also on people’s minds. Most importantly, it was a chance for people to think about how they could change the world and to work together with family and friends. We may have new kids joining our sewing classes after this experience.”
The funding the pair received that is left over from the event will be used to help continue the sewing program for children in Muskoka.
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Jenny Kirkpatrick says
A meaningful and thoughtful project. Way to go Mary and Terri, volunteers and participants !!
LInda Ann Jewell says
What a wonderful project! Thank you, Mary & Terri for your vision and the way you went about to see it become a reality.