Women stitching their way back to their Bangladeshi heritage

Bangladeshi women in Birmingham attend stitching workshop hosted by New Hope Global (NHG)

Nestled above Birchfield Library is a community organisation providing support to and working closely with the local community. When Amal first came into contact with NHG, the desire for creative engagement was quickly established and it was agreed that Amal would organise a creative workshop for their women’s group.

22 women from a majority Bangladeshi background sat down to stitch with Abeda Begum, a British Bangladeshi and Birmingham-based artist. They were guided through the process, using a combination of stitches and patterns. They sketched ideas onto fabric, selected colourful threads and began to bring their designs to life. Some opted for simple florals, others more ornate designs of peacocks.

An atmosphere of excitement filled the room and a constant murmur of conversation transported the women back in time. “They were so happy as they were stitching, it reminded them of their childhood when they used to watch their parents stitch” reported the staff at NHG. As a result, the women shared stories of what their parents produced and how stitching and textiles are familiar in their heritage. Despite the familiarity, only one third of the women had actually participated in this art form before.

Report from NHG

NHG described the workshop as enthusiastic, cheerful and reminiscent, a real success for a community reeling from the effects of Covid, tackling social isolation and poor mental health. This workshop allowed the women to bond over memories, share stories and the opportunity to take part in a creative activity that reminded them of their rich culture. Participants were left feeling very positive and with a real appetite to continue to gather to stitch together.