A chance remark led to a vibrant group project, and now members of Roberton Sewing Bee will soon see their work in a professional theatre production.

Back in February, playwright Martin Travers had a chat with Sewing Bee member Roma French at Roberton Village Hall.

“Braw Clan was in the big hall with our Soup And A Story project, and Roma and the ladies were in the wee hall for sewing. We’d just applied for funding to put on The Needle Room, our new play, in village halls across Clydesdale. In passing, I said that if we were awarded the grant, we’d need a handmade quilt to use as a prop and would the ladies consider making it?”

“I didn’t realise they’d start work on it almost straight away.”

Roma said:

“We knew that if we wanted the quilt to be ready by September, we’d have to get our skates on. We researched how quilts were made in the 1930s and chose a hexagon design. Each of us made a section then we joined them all up. We’re so looking forward to seeing the quilt in the play. It’s been a lovely project and we’ve learned a lot.”

The quilt, which is almost entirely handmade and took hundreds of hours to create, will be used by actor Fletcher Mathers when The Needle Room tours Clydesdale from 17th September.

Alongside Roma, Sewing Bee members Susan Crosby, Ginny Bennett, Jen Turville and Judy Naylor contributed their time and expertise. When the tour is over, they hope to frame and display the quilt in Roberton Village Hall.