Stitch Club

Stitch Club is a collaborative arts programme led by Emma Summerscales in Crosby Library. We challenge the unethical and unsustainable practices with the fashion and textiles industry using stitching, and repairing, techniques, to spark and guide conversations. Inspired by thrift, we transform discarded fabrics into meaningful pieces that are enriched and their lives extended.

We share memories of learning from previous generations, stories from school sewing classes, and learning techniques from different cultures to reinvent and repurpose items to increase their sustainability. 

A place for learning and gentle protest, each session begins with a short talk about the workshop's focus, drawing inspiration from other artists and each other. The creative activity itself is designed to create conversation and reflect on the subject we're discussing in that particular session. 

Collaboration has been central to the journey of the programme, having previously worked with Sandra Suubi for the Liverpool Biennial. Ibukan Baldwin for the British Textile Biennial and Scouse Flowerhouse. Conversations go beyond the group, linking our acts of craft to a broader artistic and social dialogue.

The group meet monthly, on Mondays, a community having developed strongly around repairing, skill sharing and cultural exchange from our own histories and those of guest artists we've worked with over the years.