Craftivists from all over the country descended on Manchester last Friday night to unveil the stunning #imapiece Jigsaw Project.
More than 600 stitched jigsaw pieces were displayed at the People’s History Museum to support Save the Children’s Race Against Hunger Campaign.
It was lovely to meet so many people I had spoken to online including Craftivist Collective founder, and organiser of the event, Sarah Corbett, Craft Blog UK’s Hilary Pullen and Jamie ‘Mr X Stitch’ Chalmers.
I finally met Sarah Adie (below) Acting Editor of soon to be released Crafty Magazine and Co-founder of Manchester WI Lucy Adams – huzzah!
Over the last four months, craftivists of all ages – from children to pensioners – in Manchester and beyond, have stitched fabric puzzle pieces with images and quotes to inspire and encourage people to be a part of the solution to the world hunger problem.
The end result included pieces like this – aren’t they beautiful?
Event organiser Sarah told exhibitors: “Look at this beautiful thing we have created, it’s really overwhelming.
“Isn’t it disgusting that children in the world are starving in 2013?
“We are pieces of the solution and need to keep this message alive – we need the funding and commitment to put food as a real priority.”
Save the Children’s Annabel Taylor shared her feelings about the project.
“Every year 2.3m children die of hunger, that’s 260 every hour,” she said.
“I’m find it really emotional and inspiring to be here and see this project, it’s been a privilege to work in such a passionate and creative way.”
Eileen Grimshaw, from Tottington, said that the project had not only given her the opportunity to support the campaign, but also to introduce crafts to her two small grandchildren.
She said: “My two little grandsons are only 5 and 6 years old – one can’t even read yet, but he managed to do some cross stitch.
“I’m thrilled that they were learning the craft and that they also learned that there are people less fortunate than they are.”
Yarnbomber Anne Clark travelled from Derby to see some of the 22 squares she helped to create through her Derby Silk Mill Museum craft group.
Jamie ‘Mr X Stitch’ Chalmers shared his experience of lobbying his local Conservative MP with a stitched jigsaw piece.
He said: “When I gave the piece to my MP he couldn’t stop looking at it, and it’s this type of slow activism which I believe is more profound.
“On average you spend about 5 hours per piece, that equals 3000 hours of love up on that wall.”
And it’s exactly that feeling that I leave the project with, a feeling of love and commitment by people who show that they really care.
I also popped my name down on the petition, and took home an #imapiece pack to add my own jigsaw piece to the wall when it starts its national tour.
For more information about the campaign visit http://imapiece.craftivist-collective.com/
What a brilliant piece of work! I love that jigsaw! x
That’s such a great idea – I look forward to seeing your piece of the puzzle once it’s finished x
What an incredible collaboration. I’m going to call into the PHM and see it soon.
I’m afraid it was a ‘one night only’ kind of thing in Manchester, but it will be touring the UK, so if it comes back to the North West I’ll let you know
Hi lady! Sorry for the very slow response – soooooo busy at work! Crafty goes to press today, so I’ll email you that Dropbox link when I get home tonight. Love your post – and that pic of us! Lovely to meet you finally too! xxx
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