Dwindling community funding is behind the closure of Dunedin textile and sewing studio Stitch Kitchen next month. The charity organisation started as Just Atelier Trust — a social enterprise founded in 2015 by fashion entrepreneurs Fiona Clements and Fiona Jenkin, who ran sewing classes, workshops and events in association with Fashion Revolution and the Vogel Street Party, and ran community pop-up events with Dunedin Dream Brokerage. The trust was renamed Stitch Kitchen in 2019, but continued to gather friends together around the table, sharing creative ingredients, ideas, skills and time. Since July 2020, the studio has been based in the historic Prince of Wales Hotel, in Princes St, and remains focused on reducing textile waste by teaching sewing, mending and upcycling skills, offering workspace and equipment, and running the Maker’s Pantry for pre-loved craft supplies. Stitch Kitchen trust members used social media to announce it was “with a heavy heart” that they had decided to make the “difficult” decision to close the facilities after “10 incredible years”. The doors would close following its final class on September 20. “While we celebrated a decade of community sewing late last year — a massive milestone for a small trust — the funding climate in New Zealand has only become more difficult over the last three years, with many worthy charities, all competing for the same diminishing funding. “Everyone is doing it tough. “We have been unable to stabilise our financial position and can no longer responsibly continue to operate.” The announcement said Stitch Kitchen would continue to run sales until September 20, giving everyone a chance to support the charity in the last month of business. “Here at Stitch Kitchen, our hearts are full with the outpouring of aroha and support since our announcement. “Thank you to everyone who has offered kind words, suggestions, and offers of help. We are so grateful … please know your kindness is truly felt.” A farewell event and closing down sale would be held in the coming weeks. john.lewis@odt.co.nz
