Community / Stitch club ‘helping people connect’ after textiles teacher swaps big city for island life
A FORMER textiles teacher has launched a new sewing initiative in Shetland after swapping life in London for a more sedate setting in the isles.
Helen Barwick moved to the North Mainland with her husband and their rescue dog in November 2024 after years as head of textiles at a busy London secondary school.
The pair had visited Shetland during a particularly stressful period at her work, and Helen said something clicked that made her never want to leave.
Now she has founded Shetland Stitch Club – a roving sewing initiative offering sociable, skills-based sessions in venues throughout the isles.
Helen said her first trip to Shetland was a “bit of a reset”.
“The landscapes, the wildlife, the sense of calm – it all just made sense,” she said.
“We came back a few times and realised, we don’t actually want to live in a big city any longer.”
The move marked a total lifestyle shift for her and her family, but she soon found herself longing for a way to return to her sewing roots.
After founding Shetland Stitch Club, the first pilot to offshoot from that was the Lerwick Sewing Social – a weekly evening meet-up where people could work on their own sewing projects with guidance from Helen if needed.
Open to everyone from complete beginners to seasoned stitchers, the sessions are designed to bring people together over their shared interest.
“There are so many talented knitters in Shetland, but not many places focused on sewing,” Helen said.
“People told me they’d love to alter or customise clothes but didn’t know where to start, or didn’t have the right equipment. Others just wanted a space to sew with company.
“Sewing often needs a lot of kit and space, so it’s not easy to do at home.
“Shetland is an amazing place, but it can feel isolating – especially in the winter – so I hope the stitch club helps people to connect.”
The Lerwick Sewing Socials are currently on pause for the summer and will resume on Monday evenings at Islesburgh Community Centre from 25 August, with bookings open via the website.
Shetland Stitch Club secured a £3,000 loan through the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme to get the idea off the ground, with the funding used to buy a fleet of sewing machines.
From autumn, Shetland Stitch Club will grow its offering with six-week courses and more sewing socials in different locations. British Business Bank Scotland manager Barry McCulloch said Helen had “clearly spotted a gap for sociable, skills-based sewing sessions in Shetland.
“Her story shows how small businesses can make a big difference locally,” he added.
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