Where It All Began...And Where It's All Going

In the late 90's Amber Hunter and I began working together at an accounting firm in Nashville. We found that our interests were remarkably similar and over the years we have bounced more ideas off of one another than can possibly be counted. Both of us having a creative side that seems to be impossible to repress, we forged a plan to put our whimsy to practical use. Amber expressed a desire to learn to sew from a pattern. She had learned to use a machine in the past and had done her share of projects but the wording and process of a pattern was still something she had to conquer. I had learned this skill from my mother and was more than happy to share my knowledge with her.

Amber has a need to share, she can keep little of what is worthy to herself, so she immediately invited others and labeled the little lesson time a "Sewing Party" just to make it more fun. If it's a party, there has to be food. If there's food, it's going to catch on...and it did. Soon we were meeting weekly at homes across Nashville, learning, creating, accomplishing and most importantly visiting. We made a whole lot more than just a skirt here or a quilt block there, we made lasting and impactful friendships.

The projects and the skills broadened. We became a group of various talents and skills, we welcomed knitting, crochet, embroidery, scrap-booking and even a spinning wheel showed up a few times. The interest in each other's projects was refreshing and the care for each other was contagious.

Through the years the various backgrounds and situations of each member evolved . . . whether it were a change of address or a change in family situation our girls have become more spread out and meeting regularly became increasingly difficult. Our base group of artists and crafters has spread into four or five counties and some of our young mothers now represent families of five and six. As the members of the group evolved, the gathering did as well in an effort to best accommodate everyone’s changing circumstances. First we went from a weekly meeting, to a bi-weekly meeting, then to a monthly meeting, to an every-so-often meeting, until sadly there was no meeting for nearly a year. The core creators of the gathering still exist (in neighboring counties now) and still have a strong desire to see the growth that comes in a group like this, and still have a passion for creative work and for teaching others new areas of creativity.

Amber and I have talked recently and wish to pursue the revival of our first goal which is to share information and teach one another the skills passed to us from our mothers, grandmothers and friends. We have regrouped and regenerated our desires to give what is worthy and be available to whoever wants to pick up a needle and thread and join us. We are enjoying the social aspect of having a "girls night" but putting all our efforts into making those nights productive. Any handwork of any kind is welcome, sewing machines will buzz, knitting needles will click and voices will mingle in the camaraderie of kindred spirits.

Our plan is to introduce new things and new people. We are not committing too, but rather hoping to bring a demonstration project to the table on a monthly basis. We are boosting our availability with a blog where announcements, pictures, tips and tricks and anything else we think of can be regularly published and viewed. We believe these monthly meetings have the potential to be a resource and a launching pad for women to not only release some creative energy but also to realize the limitless potential within them. Creativity is in all of us, some of us just haven't found our medium. We hope that when it's all said and done, the living, the learning and the laughter find us all Girls In Stitches.