‘Threading Needles, Telling Stories’ is an exciting textile doll-making project that is taking place at Offaly Traveller’s Hazel Hub Centre in Tullamore. Visual Artist Teresa Doyle, an experienced arts programme facilitator who is steadily becoming known as the Doll-maker of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, will lead the women of the Chatters and Matters Tullamore Traveller’s Women’s Shed who are taking part in this project through the various parts and processes involved with storytelling through doll-making. 

Through this project, each participant will get the opportunity to explore and share their heritage and culture in a new way, through the creation of a three-dimensional fabric doll-like figure. This doll will be an effigy that will serve as a vessel to help demonstrate and tell the stories of the participant’s Traveller experiences, while reawakening skills that may be inherent for some group members. Skills including planning, designing, pattern-making, pattern-cutting, pressing, stitching, knitting and garment assembly will be learned and practiced throughout this project, and it is envisaged that at the end of the seven weeks the women will continue to look forward to future learning and creative engagement. An exhibition of the finished works will be held at the Hazel Hub Centre, and at additional venues in the town and county thereafter. 

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.