The Whistlebare Effect.

A new sewer joins our midst .

“Grandma” - I exclaimed recently, “Remember when we used to sew together when I was little”.

“Remember when you’d give me projects and I’d sew them for you” she promptly replied. A slight difference in memories, I noted.

When I first joined Whislebare in February I was having a quarter(ish) life moment. Having been at my last job for 16 years - I found myself floundering somewhat, until it was suggested that I mosey on down to Bridge Street for a “casual” chat with Alice about the possibility of a job.

Retrospectively I think back to that initial meeting and wince slightly (very much!). Completely embodying the stereotype of a hibernating woman in the middle of my Winter funk, I rocked up for coffee and a chat in full hermit mode … jogger bottoms, slipper socks and an ugly yet warm winter coat. It hadn’t really occurred to me until a few weeks into the job that Alice herself was (of course) dressed head-to-toe in homemade, natural fibre attire.

Upon leaving I asked Alice where I should pay for my coffee.

“Pay?” she remarked. “You can have a free coffee as part of your interview”.

“Interview?” I thought to myself. “Hmm, that feels quite different from a casual chat” - the first notion I had that I possibly should have reconsidered the jogger bottoms as I trudged back home.

Standing on the shop floor a few weeks later, having miraculously landed a part-time role, the imposter in my head convinced me that, as Hester Prynne in ‘The Scarlet Letter’ bore an A on her chest, I bore a similar stamp stating “Non-crafter!” and I would hastily pre-empt this fictional judgement to each unassuming patron who walked through the door … “I can make a good coffee” I would say, “But I can’t knit or sew”.

Becoming ever conscious that an interest in a craft wasn’t crucial but definitely encouraged and valuable as a team member at Whistlebare, I found myself migrating over to the habedashery more and more. Yarn felt a little scary, but the fabrics called to me. I started reminiscing on my childhood - marvelling at my Grandma producing garment upon garment for local village plays for which she would write the script, direct and produce the costumes too.

Sensing an achilles heel forming before I was even aware of it myself, Alice must have been observing my frequent visits to the fabric basket and hatched a cunning plan. “Gorgeous materials in exchange for a newsletter?” was the suggestion. And to really secure the deal - “a weekend looking after the farm while we’re away in the Lakes?” - well, after 3 days of watching over the gorgeous sheep and goats, I was well and truly hooked.

So, as someone who fluctuates between military style organisation and free falling chaos, routines don’t always stick. But since this offer emerged I have been regularly taking my fabrics and patterns down to Grandma’s on a day off in order to learn, practice and overall become a much more useful addition to the Whistlebare team ;)

So I invite you along on my sewing journey, intermingled with a splash of Whistlebare ongoings and the occasional anecdote or rumination.

And if like me, you’ve been considering learning, revisiting or furthering your crafting skills for a while, I implore you to have a look at our upcoming autumn and winter workshops with the wonderful Samira. Having never picked up a crochet hook or handled yarn before, I attended a “Learn to Crochet” class in February and it was so informative, fun and a lovely way to spend a cold and dark winter afternoon. Click the banner below for more details!

Warm wishes,

Becky

Whistlebare Fold is open from 8.45am - 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am - 5pm on Sundays. Online orders remain open as ever.

If you would like to visit, you can find us at: 17A Bridge St, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1ES