Castle Bromwich Community Website

Bring out the needle andthread, sewing is trendy again. It’s a national craze that’s sweeping the country, benefiting from the interest generated by home make-overprogrammes and Project Cat Walk.

For Hazel Taylor, this can only be good news. Sewing has been a life long passion and she is keen to share her knowledge and expertise with others. Every Thursday morning she hosts the Friends in Retirement Sewing Session at Arden Hall. Sitting around the table the group’smembers are all working on their own projects, chatting and laughing as they learn. Hazel is on hand with tips of the trade, customising her teaching to the student.

“I’m the Apprentice,” says Chris Bott, “The Queen of Unpicking! I’ve learnt a lot since I’ve been here and I’ve even altered a coat. I started making it in the 1970s and then just left it, which was such a shame as the material was lovely. I mentioned it to Hazel and even though I’d lost the pattern she managed to help me create a beautiful coat with a curved edge which I can wear. When I lost my husband I lost so much weight none of my clothes fitted. Hazel has helped me to alter my clothes to fit; it’s saved me loads of money.”

Hazel has spent most of her life developing her sewing skills. At the age of 14 she started work at a high class speciality store, Sally’s in Needless Alley, where she learnt to sew. She recalls that it was very Victorian packed into a little room like an attic where talk wasdiscouraged and if you did need to speak you had to whisper. After afew years, her friend left school and Hazel left Sally’s to join herworking at Comberg and Morris, a wholesale dress maker in Bull Street. It was here that she learnt to throw things together as the company specialised in mass production. During her four years with the company she learnt to press, hand sew, machine and cut, all things which have stood her in good stead. She also attended evening classes at Handsworth College to learn how to create her own patterns. Shortly after marrying, Hazel went to work at the Alexandra Theatre in the work room, an experience that she remembers with fondness as herother interest is dancing, which she is qualified to teach. After thebirth of her first child, Hazel continued her dress making from home.

Pat Andrews recalls that she joined the group when she retired because shewanted to develop her ability to sew. She used to sew with her mother,but says that she was never very good. Since joining the group hersewing is slowly improving and she is learning to put things together.The women recall how sewing used to be a necessity because clothes were too expensive to buy, but now it’s a creative pastime which enables them to wear clothes that fit perfectly and are unique to them. Research has also shown that it’s calming and relaxing and can help lower the blood pressure. Hazel also points out how sewing helps keep the mind active and nimble and helps to close out the worries around you, as well as giving you a tangible result that you can take away.

The group is always keen to welcome new members, anyone wishing to sew bu twithout a sewing machine at home, can always use one at the club and as Hazel says, “Two heads are better than one” when it comes to solving problems or developing ideas. So why not go along and chat and do something at the same time? The group meets every Thursday Morning between 10.00 and 12.00 at Arden Hall, Water Orton Road, Castle Bromwich.