Hannah Thompson - the Founder of Stitching Kitchen

Stitching Kitchen was an idea developed in the Summer of 2017.  I had returned to needle and thread in 2015 after the breakdown of my marriage.  Finding comfort in making and joy in being able to play in a creative way had got me through some very difficult times.  When a good friend encouraged me to join her at an Embroiderers Guild meeting, I found inspiration in what the speakers presented to us and friendship with several of the members.  Life progressed, and juggling a conventional job and the challenges of being a single mum with my own mental health issues to manage became increasingly difficult, so self-employment seemed a better way to work with my varied energy levels and maintain an improving sense of well-being.

I was stitching in my kitchen, creating my textile art – why not try and make some money from that!  But making can be a solitary business and my well-being also required regular human contact, so I felt that running workshops and social stitch sessions in my very roomy ‘Stitching Kitchen’ seemed like a natural and complimentary activity to run alongside my own making. 

Time has flown and we are now approaching our 8 year anniversary.  We moved out of the kitchen and into a purpose-built studio in 2021, and now have workshops running  weekly, both in creative textiles and sewing including dressmaking and quilting. The workshops have proved so popular that now I struggle to find time to create my own textile art! I still try to ensure I create art and aim to create for the member challenges for the Embroiderers Guild and Quilters Guild, of which I am a member.  

As we have studio space, the retail side of the business has also expanded.  We supply dressmaking fabrics, haberdashery, craft equipment, all of which you can buy in-person with expert advice from me and the team or online.  Recently, we have also become main dealers for Janome and PFAFF sewing machines and also offer servicing and repairs for all brands. 

Thank you for dropping by the website; you will find more information about workshops and can book your places here. You will also find my blog: feel free to join our newsletter to find out what is happening at the Stitching Kitchen.

Hannah x