28 www.groovekorea.com May 2015
Edited by Naheen Madarbakus-Ring (naheen@groovekorea.com)
C OMMUNI TY
Neig hbor hoo d Wat c h
Seoul’s Stitch N Bitch Brigade
Julie Walters Explains What Really Goes On Behind SnB Doors… Story and photos by Julie Walters
W
hen I arrived in Korea four years ago, I only had my sister and her promise that, “the best thing I did when I was in Korea the first time was join this group.” Not having anything better to do my first jet-lagged Sunday in Korea, I followed my sister to that week’s location for my first ever Stitch and Bitch or S&B gathering. When people hear the words “stitch and bitch,” they can sometimes be taken aback by the latter word. The term has been used since World War Two, reintroduced by a crafting book series of the same name, inspiring crafters to meet up in global meets not only in Korea but also the USA and Spain to talk about life in general. Seoul’s group has been around since 2005, founded by a Canadian named Kristin Nelson. Starting with meets in her apartment, the group then moved to a coffee shop near Itaewon. Dedicated to crafters of all abilities, it is a time to come together, get help and talk. Ranging from absolute beginner to the extremely talented crafters, members crochet, knit, cross-stitch, and sew, offering unlimited types of “stitching” in a get together to share their love of the craft while chatting.
Right now, S&B meets every other week at DeLambre, a coffee shop in Jonggak. Rebecca, Rita, Jenny, Renee, Jessica, Lisa, Amanda, Amy and myself form our core group, meeting to teach our own specific crafts. Rebecca and Amanda crochet; Jenny, Rita, Renee, and Lisa all knit; Jessica is sewing a blanket made out of hexagons; Amy cross-stitches; and I crochet, knit, and cross-stitch. A typical Sunday afternoon starts with casually meeting within half an hour of the actual 2.30pm starting time. The fifth floor of DeLambre has a bigger meeting space for us to take up two tables, drop off our belongings and settle in before our designated coffee bearers head downstairs with our orders.
While this is in motion, the crafters pull out their projects. With coffee at the ready, we then spend the next several hours talking, crafting, and occasionally, doing school work. Conversations and seating tends to shift a lot, especially when someone needs help on a project. We do not really have any specific topics that we talk about at our meetings; we chat, we craft, and have a lot of coffee and snacks in between before heading out to eat dinner together in the surrounding area. Outside of the coffee shop, we occasionally shop at Dongdaemun’s excellent crafting center, and get yarn, beads, and other crafting items. During holidays, we sometimes meet at a stitcher’s house, and just form a good support network for each other so nobody gets too lonely, being away from home.
Joining is easy with information found on our website. After a quick email, join the next meeting by bringing your own materials, and a volunteer (usually my sister Jenny who is the best knitting teacher out there!) will help new-comers. There is no obligation to show up each meet either: if you are too busy to come, then join us the next time. Although we mainly tend to be English speaking crafters, any one is welcome and we are sometimes even joined by Korean enthusiasts – we are simply excited to share our love of the craft. If someone is interested in learning a new craft, or simply wants someone to craft with, this is the place to do it. The ladies of S&B are pretty amazing, and are a great support system for those far away from home, on top of being knowledgeable about their crafts. Stitch and Bitch has become a major focal point of my time in Korea, and it could be yours too. I have met a core group of ladies that I have cried with, laughed with, stitched with and bitched with during my time in Korea, giving me support in difficult times, in projects and in life. So, now is the time to pick up those knitting needles, that sewing needle, that crochet hook, or whatever it is you do, and come to Jonggak to meet some new friends.
MORE INFO Free! Crafters must bring their own materials to the meeting, though. May 3rd, 17th and 31st and every other Sunday. De Lambre Coffee Shop Jongno-gu Jongno 2-ga 75-8 Jonggak Station (Line 1, Exit 12) It is located right outside of exit 12; walk a few steps, and look to the right. There is a tiled, elevator entrance. We are normally located on the fifth floor. www.seoulsnb.blogspot.kr seoulsnb@gmail.com