Smack my stitch up

Many bad things have been said about the credit crunch and many an hour has been spent whingeing over a pint at the horrible fall out of there being less spending going on all around us.

Most horrible of all for many females in London is the slashing that has had to take place when it comes to that all-important monthly fashion budget.  Goodbye the glamour of a champagne cocktail mid-shop, crème de la mer face crème and Mulberry bag of a morning’s shopping at Selfridges; hello the indignity of fighting over a pair of non-organic, non-natural ‘cotton’ trousers with a twelve year old in the sweatfest that is Primarni. Shopping has become an altogether less pleasant experience has it not?

In view of the denigration of the weekly shopping trip, I began to wonder recently whether there wasn’t a more civilised way to refresh my threads than trying to buy a slightly out of shape, rather unconvincing knock off of a key piece in a shop that must surely realise it’s going to hell for all the little children who have worked to the bone to produce it’s cut price clobber.  And I was right, for Smack My Stich up has been born.

Taking place on the last Thursday of every month at the Green Man near Goodge Street, this is an opportunity for like-minded people to show up with two seasons old trousers and leave with next season’s skirt.  The night offers the chance for Joe public to “bring your cross-stitch woes and they’ll send you off on the right thread.” (oh that’s a good one!)

At the last session there was the chance to graffiti stitching where punters were encouraged to ‘borrow’ from flatmates’ wardrobes (pieces that wouldn’t be missed too obviously) and be taught how to convert these items in front of their very eyes into brand new fashions, fit for any catwalk.  Not only this but the night also offers a DJ and an abundance of cocktails, both of which I imagine add considerably to the creative process.

As they say on their website, ‘customization for the nation – sticking two fingers up to the recession.’

Quite (www.handembroidery.com/smack)