Weaving Community Together 

One Stitch at a Time

Photo and Article by Ellen Redding

Gathering together is fundamentally human. We are naturally drawn to shared experiences, whether that means regular card nights, a neighborhood book club or a lively round of mahjong. Being together gives us an opportunity to laugh, engage, learn and share. Most importantly, it keeps us fully present in the moment.

For me, that connection ultimately came through a needle and thread.

My mother first taught me to needlepoint when I was in high school. It was a simple, flawed starter piece with plenty of mistakes, but all these years later, my mother still proudly keeps it on display in her home. When I picked up the hobby again during college, I never considered it a group activity. To me, it was always a solitary project with a specific destination in mind: Make it, then gift it.

I even made the infamous “breakup belt” for my boyfriend at the time. Despite the superstition, we didn’t break up. In fact, we got married. Although he no longer wears the belt I crafted for him 45 years ago, it remains a favorite family relic.

After completing dozens of projects over the years, I have come to realize that creating alongside others is a precious and deeply rewarding way to spend time.

That realization happened entirely by accident. A group of us were playing mahjong when the conversation turned to our hobbies. We quickly discovered that many of us shared a quiet fondness for needlepoint. It sparked the perfect opportunity to get together for a new purpose. Now that most of us are retired and have more time on our hands, we trade mahjong tiles for needlepoint canvas once a week.

I have learned so much from these women. They have introduced me to new stitches, tipped me off to creative retreats and helped forge connections we never knew we had. All of this blossomed simply because we were intentional about getting together, setting down our phones and having real conversations.

As it turns out, our local community is full of these interconnected threads.

Passing Down the Craft

Shasta Norman’s story mirrors my own. She also started needlepointing in high school, rediscovering the craft years later when she picked up a small kit while shopping with her mom.

“When I went to college at the University of Kentucky, I found a little needlepoint store called Two’s Company, and it was like a dream come true,” Shasta said. “After shopping there for a couple of years, I ended up working there painting canvases and eventually began teaching others how to stitch.”

For Shasta, the joy was about far more than the craft itself.

“It was a wonderful way for a group of women to sit around, create and share really good conversation,” she said.

Today, Shasta continues to paint custom needlepoint canvases, specializing in belts.

“I think the hobby belts are the most enjoyable to paint,” she said, “because they tell a visual story of the most important parts of a person’s life.”

For Christy Mitchell, the craft also became something passed from one generation to another. Her mother-in-law became a mentor, teaching her techniques that went far beyond the belts and key chains Christy had stitched during her college years. Together, those lessons opened the door to pillows, picture frames, stockings, ornaments and other projects, each stitched for a special occasion and a special person.

Knitting: A Hobby That Brings People Together

Knitting among younger generations has also made a comeback — or perhaps it never really went away.

My great-niece, Chloe, is a recent college graduate who works for Epic in Madison, Wisconsin. Her company sponsors numerous employee clubs designed to help people connect. Interestingly, they call these groups “motley crews.”

Chloe joined the Ants Fiber Arts Club, which meets weekly.

“Having the commitment forces me to spend time with my friends working on a relaxing hobby,” she said.

That regular gathering has reminded Chloe that she “can’t give 100% in work and life if I don’t take time to rest and take care of myself.”

Here in our own community, knitting and crochet are also bringing people together in meaningful ways. For more than 10 years, the Prayer Shawl Ministry at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church has brought together volunteers who knit and crochet handmade shawls to offer comfort and prayer to people in need. The ministry has also supported hospice patients throughout the tri-county area.

Quilting: Connecting Generations

And let’s not forget about quilting.

Stacey Lawson’s love of quilting began long before she ever made a quilt of her own. It started in her grandmother’s living room, where she grew up watching her grandmother quilt.

Stacey remembers those moments with fondness:

“Her quilt frame hung from the ceiling and could be raised out of the way when it wasn’t being used. When it was time to quilt, the frame would be lowered, holding the layers of the quilt together while she carefully stitched them by hand. I can still picture her sitting there, working patiently, one stitch at a time. At the time, I didn’t realize how much those moments would stay with me or that one day quilting would become such a meaningful part of my own life.

“About 30 years ago, I began sewing and pieced my first quilt top by hand. I loved the process of choosing fabrics, putting colors and patterns together and watching individual pieces become something beautiful. Life got crazy, and quilting was put on the back burner.

“About a year ago, I met a group of ladies who had been making quilt tops for donation for about seven years. When they learned that I also enjoyed sewing and piecing quilts, they invited me to join their group.

“Now, several of us meet to sew and piece quilt tops. There is laughter, conversation, friendship and, of course, plenty of fabric! But what makes our time together especially meaningful is knowing where the quilts will eventually go.

“The group has donated to Henderson Build a Bed, and there are plans to provide quilts for patients at hospitals and care facilities. We hope the quilts will bring a little warmth and comfort during difficult times.

“My grandmother and new friends have taught me that quilting is far more than fabric and stitches. A quilt represents time, patience, creativity and love. In many ways, quilting connects my past with my present — and allows something that began in my grandmother’s living room to become a gift for someone else.”

Whether we are stitching a custom belt, knitting with friends, piecing a quilt or laughing over a shared mistake, these gatherings remind us of the power of community.

In a world full of screens, there is still nothing quite like sitting face-to-face, creating something beautiful and weaving our lives together — one stitch at a time.

How to Get Involved

Needlepoint Open Stitch
Needlepoint enthusiasts are invited to bring a current project and stitch alongside others from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Beachbum Farms Designs & Company, 223 3rd St., Henderson, KY 42420 in the Veranda Room. Whether you need help with a project or simply want to spend time with fellow stitchers, all are welcome.

Prayer Shawl Ministry
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church’s Prayer Shawl Ministry welcomes those interested in volunteering, donating yarn or fabric, or requesting a handmade shawl or blanket for someone going through a difficult season.

Location: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 5 S. Green St., Henderson, KY 42420
Contact: Gisele Purdy, 270-844-2105, for meeting times, donation needs or information about requesting a comfort item.

To learn more about the quilting group, volunteer or make a donation, contact [email protected].