Autumn crafting in October

Having got a year under our belts, the Swallowtail WI is now flying and it’s just lovely to see the friendships and camaraderie in the room at our meetings. So when we announced our October meeting was going to be another crafty affair, our members embraced the theme – in all sorts of creative ways.

We didn’t want to be restrictive in the craft activities, and we wanted those who just fancied a cuppa and some good chat to feel equally welcome too. So the Swallowtail committee dug deep in their various craft cupboards to provide all manner of things for our members to work with.

Treasurer Szara has a brilliant eye for a bargain and she’d snapped up some British Sewing Bee cushion making kits that gave the sewers in our midst a challenge. Three machines were set up, and the more experienced seamstresses in the group helped out as the Swallowtail sewing bee got underway. It was a lovely moment one a new member of our WI, who’d never used a machine before, proudly showed off the excellent cushion she’d made that evening. It reminded us of one of the cornerstones that the Women’s Institute was built on – sharing skills. It means a lot to our group that we’re able to broaden each other’s skill sets and put our individual expertise to good use.

It wasn’t just sewing on the menu, as our Roisin was demonstrating how to make bags from t-shirts. It might sound bizarre, but this clever crafting is done without the need of a needle and thread, and the members who participated were delighted with their upcycled creations – and the fact they now had a great excuse to buy something to put in their new bags.

During the craft session, our mini meet book club was held for those who’d had a chance to read ‘The Night Circus’ by Erin Morgenstern. It’s always interesting to hear how each of us got on with the book in question and there was a wide variety of responses to this one. For some, it was absolute magic, while other readers weren’t so impressed. But that led to some great discussion and we’re learning a lot about each other’s book favourites as we continue our journey through literature together.

​Of course, no Swallowtail meet up is complete without our refreshments table and it was wonderful to see a Halloween theme dominating proceedings. Alongside the usual cakes and bakes were some rice crispy brains and mini mummy pizzas. It might have been cold and dark outside, but this meeting was full of warmth. We’re so proud of what a friendly, fun-loving group of girls we’ve got in the Swallowtail WI.