The Community Shawl Project

25/03/2026

Brecon Women's Festival is almost over.

We've been collaborating with the irrepressible creative force that is 's Emma Bevan for over a decade. This Saturday, she will be holding her last workshop with us up on the hill in the hush of the bookshop in the tranquility of the Close.

Creativity, community, connection and collaboration lie at the very heart of Emma's practice both as a maker herself and as a tutor and host to others and hers is a particularly woman-centred approach exploring women's experiences since the dawn of time.

She is a one-of-a-kind and we are proud to know her.

So join us this Saturday for a brilliant and beautiful workshop as part of the Welsh Women's Collaborative Quilt Project - you really don't want to miss it.

Sign up with or and join us for our last but one hurrah 💗♀️🧵🌷

15/03/2026

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Y Ffordd Gymreig ❣️ The Welsh Way

Hyd at y 1960au, roedd mamau Cymru yn cario eu babanod mewn siôl magu, sef siôl fawr a glymid o amgylch y canol ac un ysgwydd, gan ddal y plentyn yn glyd yn erbyn y frest.

Dyma oedd y Ffasiwn Gymreig draddodiadol, ac roedd llawer yn credu mai ar yr ochr chwith y byddai’r babi’n cael ei gario, yn agos at galon y fam, fel y gallai rhythm tawel ei churiad ei gysuro i gysgu.

Roedd y siôl yn dod â chysur ac hefyd yn rhyddhau llaw ar gyfer gwaith, boed hynny’n gofalu am y tŷ neu’n gwau.

Heddiw, rydym yn cofio’r rhai a’n cariodd ni, gan gynnwys mamau, neiniau a phob math o ofalwyr, a'r cenedlaethau o’u blaenau y mae eu gofal a’u cariad wedi siapio’r traddodiadau a adnabyddwn heddiw.

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Up until the 1960s, Welsh m**s would carry their babies using a ‘siôl magu’, which translates to ‘rearing shawl.’ These large shawls were tied around the waist and one shoulder, wrapping around both mother and child to hold the baby close against the chest.

This was the traditional Welsh Fashion, and it was believed that the baby was carried on the left side, close to the mother’s heart, so her heartbeat would soothe the baby to sleep.

As well as bringing comfort, the shawl freed up a hand for work, from tending to knitting.

Today, we think of those who carried us, including mothers, grandmothers and caregivers of all kinds, and the generations before them whose care and cariad shaped the traditions we know today.

Cerdyn Post - Postcard, 1915. © Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales

11/03/2026

This Saturday! An incredible opportunity to be part of the Welsh Women's Quilt project - a new iteration of the Community Shawl Project inspired by The Red Dress.

Hosted by , run by The Community Shawl Project and held here at The Hours Bookshop.

Join us!

Link in bio for more info and booking here: https://www.wovenearthstudio.co.uk/workshops/p/womens-welsh-collaborative-quilt-14th-march

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