Kathryn Camfield is focused on making sure the lines sheB次元官网网址檚 threading donB次元官网网址檛 go wonky as theyB次元官网网址檙e stitched through her sewing machine.

After escaping from an outside world thatB次元官网网址檚 loud and non-stop, she realizes the tactile work has once again drawn her into a fabric-filled fog.

B次元官网网址淚 have gone too deep when itB次元官网网址檚 six hours later and you look up and itB次元官网网址檚 like, B次元官网网址極kay I need to eat because IB次元官网网址檓 feeling woozy.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

Camfield is now general manager and one of the five member-owners who took over The Makehouse at the start of December.

The basics of sewing were eventually passed down to her as a child thanks to her prolific seamstress grandmother, but she cut ties with it for about 20 years before moving to Victoria and thought it might be fun to take some classes The Makehouse was offering.

As she got more involved with the decade-old studio, the former owner poached Camfield to come work there. She and the other employees then got a little worried after being told last spring that the business was going up for sale, so they decided to take it over themselves as a worker cooperative.

ItB次元官网网址檚 been an awesome response from the community so far as the owner-employees help people navigate the many colour spools and stacks of endless patterns throughout the store. But itB次元官网网址檚 the other side of the business, sewing classes and workshops, where the owners find their connection to their eager members.

Camfield said the demand, from those aged six to 86 and of all genders, is so huge they could probably double the number of classes they offer, though that would take more teachers and space. The various workshops they offer were 95 per cent sold out last year as people look to learn to sew or bolster their stitching skills.

B次元官网网址淜ids come back for session after session and adults too so we have a really nice community of people around the store,B次元官网网址� Camfield said.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 sort of a unity of purpose, everybody is sewing, someone might be making a quilt and someone else might be making a dress, but thereB次元官网网址檚 appreciation, encouragement and trading of skills as well, so thatB次元官网网址檚 what I think really binds people together and builds that community.B次元官网网址�

Camfield thinks everyone gets something similar out of sewing even though they may be making all sorts of different garments or other pieces.

B次元官网网址淚 think it appeals to peopleB次元官网网址檚 desire for creativity, itB次元官网网址檚 a way to express themselves, maybe get out of their heads a little bit,B次元官网网址� Camfield said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 definitely an escape from stress and other world problems.B次元官网网址�

Through their lessons, people get to use their hands and learn a new skill, but Camfield said itB次元官网网址檚 also fun for people to browse through all the colours, patterns and textures at the store until they find something that resonates with them.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 sort of fun every step of the way because youB次元官网网址檙e combining what is the shape of this thing, what are the colours going to look like and youB次元官网网址檙e bringing those together,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淎t the end of it, they get to create something thatB次元官网网址檚 either useful or brings them joy.B次元官网网址�

After getting some co-op mentoring, funding and setting up their banking with Community Savings Credit Union just in time, the employees got the business on Dec. 1.

As they started to make the store their own, it admittedly felt a little wrong as it hadnB次元官网网址檛 sunk in that they had a stake in the store.

B次元官网网址淪ometimes I forget like B次元官网网址極h yeah this is actually our business now, we can make decisions for the store, itB次元官网网址檚 pretty exciting.B次元官网网址�

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