Needle little love? Make a plushie!
A recent Redbridge Rainbow creative meet-up featured some unexpected fun accompanied by sewing! Admittedly, when I heard the event was going to be about plushie-making, I had an awkward mix of feelings - I LOVE plushies, but I’m REALLY BAD at sewing. How on earth was KewKay, also your writer for today, going to handle this? Well, let me tell you, Katie Schreiber (@schreibsssss) did NOT let my fear of thread and needle stop me!
The session was such an awesome blend of learning and creating - I, a beginner, had all the guidance I could need! How to thread a needle, tips for making straight lines, how to add some shiny beads… Katie helped with all the difficult bits, but otherwise it was free reign to make the best. plushie. ever. I can assure you that mine is going to be kept for a longgg time. I treasure him dearly!
The experience itself was also just total relaxation; it was so nice to sew alongside orange juice and popcorn. These sessions always have a variety of snacks to graze on, and it’s really nice to have a munch while meeting new people. Everyone’s also wiggling in their seats to the tunes from the Redbridge Pride playlist (available on spotify!) The people who attend Redbridge Rainbow, new or not, are always so friendly! A fool-proof way was devised to ensure people would get talking- writing your name on a label and sticking it on you- and so we spent a good time chatting away. Other people in the session, who I must admit, were far more advanced than I was, advised me on fabrics and how to achieve my incredibly ambitious ideas, which I was super grateful for.
Notably, and finally, the venue was, and is, an accessible space to all. Redbridge Library has lifts, an accessible toilet and lots of seating. You’re also more than welcome, in any of the sessions, to take a break or a minute away to regulate yourself. Furthermore, the place is as accessible as it is inclusive - with pride flags hanging, it’s a queer space to be yourself - any and all pronouns and names can be used freely, with no expectation to present a certain way.
Honestly, what else is keeping you away? Snacks and friends and creativity all wrapped into a delicious time is the best way to spend an evening. So how about you come down to the next Redbridge Rainbow event, where we’d be more than happy to have you?
