Begin your contribution for Piece by Piece: A Libraries Community Textile Art Project for Family History Month during this after-hours workshop session at Stoke Library.

Some materials will be available, including sewing machines, but feel free to bring along any treasured fabrics, such as an old tablecloth or pieces of clothing, or photocopies of family photos (laser printed). Try your hand at image transfer onto fabric, or crochet a symbol of your heritage, or really whatever you can think up!

This project invites people of all ages to reflect on their own family history and contribute a small creative textile piece that reflects their whakapapa, treasured memories, heritage, traditions, and connections. All shapes and sizes are accepted, though the maximum size is 20cm square (plus allowance for joining together). Simple or intricate, every piece and every story matters.

Use sewing, fabric, raranga, collage, embroidery, quilting, weaving, crochet, appliqué, dyes, drawing, image transfer, natural and repurposed materials, or any other textile-inspired techniques. Once collected, these smaller pieces will be assembled together, and the final community artwork will be displayed at the library.

Can’t make it? Take home a materials pack (available 1 August) and work at your own pace or use your own meaningful ideas and materials and work from home.

Drop your finished piece into any of the library branches with an optional accompanying info sheet (provided) by Wednesday, 30 September.