Coffs Harbour’s CALD sewing group

ATTENDEES of the Monday sewing group at Narranga Public School Community Hub had a wonderful 2025. 

Held in the MakeSpace studio at Yarrila Place, the group comprises mostly Yazidi ladies from Iraq, Syria, Myanmar, Congo, Morocco, Laos and Colombia.

The ladies sew book bags for the library rather than make items for themselves.

Customers can make a $5 donation to take one home, contributing to a fund for more supplies to be purchased.

Each bag is unique and reflects the learning process and skill of each sewer.

“Many of these ladies have learned this year how to move on from unpowered pedal machines to machines that self-thread with 80 stitches,” Hub Leader Caitlin Mackie told News Of The Area.

“Their adaptability and resilience when so much around them changes is inspiring”.

The ladies also attend Sewing Group at the Coffs Harbour Hub, which is also in the MakeSpace studio.

The group was started many years ago by the Anglican Church and continues today through Anglicare North Coast.

The program is for women from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, and sits under the Next Level Program.

There are 16-plus participants in the Coffs group at any one time, meeting Tuesdays 9am-1pm in school term.

“The participants work on their own creations, repair and reuse fabrics to make garments for their own wardrobes, [and make] quilts and craft pieces to be sold at local events,” Next Level Program Worker Marina Rae told News Of The Area.

“Our sewing group is so much more than sewing though.

“It’s an opportunity for CALD women-only to meet in a social setting with different skills and interests and help each other create. And for the team to refer them to others in the network if needs arise.

“We have a wonderful volunteer who assists the two of us workers and we are on the lookout for more.”

Anyone interested in joining, call Marina on 0435 966 604.

By Andrea FERRARI