Stitch Bloom community art project completed

The gentle blossoming of collective creativity has secured its final stitch, with the last bloom affixed to the vibrant Stitch Bloom project.

More than 150 people, aged from six to 90, contributed to the work, which centres on a vintage woollen blanket almost entirely covered by a riot of hand-stitched flowers.

Coordinated by local creative Fleur Woods, the post-Covid-19 project began with fabric flowers sent to her from around the world.

While the blanket travelled to other nearby creative spaces, its main home was Te Noninga Kumu – Motueka District Library. There, the community spent two years gathering at fortnightly sessions to stitch what became a veritable garden onto the blanket.

Fleur says the project took “so much longer” than she had originally expected, with stitching being a slow artform.

“It has been a long journey to completing this project, but it has been worth the time and effort.”

Alongside Stitch Bloom, Fleur was creating original artworks, travelling internationally to teach, and writing her new book, The Untamed Thread. She is confident the project inspired others through its creative ripple effect.

“I think everything we do feeds into everything else we do – it’s a beautiful evolution and continuation.”

Fleur says she would love to see the completed artwork enter a public collection so people can continue to access it and share its legacy.

“I’ve been humbled by people’s desire to help, to share and to gather together in the desire to create more joy in the world,” she says. “It has filled my heart with connection and the threads that bind us all together.”

She also extends her heartfelt thanks to the library team and everyone who contributed to bringing “more well-being and beauty into the world for us all to share”.

The blanket remains on display at the library until a permanent home is found.