Looking for a place to unwind, get crafty, and make new friends? Every Thursday, Stitch & Chat meets on the bridge together and explores the beauty of thread art. The club meets from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with freedom to come and go as one may need. No experience required, just curiosity and a little bit of yarn. Not only do those who come to dabble in a bit of thread arts but there is also an “emphasis on chatting,” said LeLonna Goodson, the club advisor.
Club President Alisia Hernandez, who has many projects going on all the time, said that she is “grateful for the community to be able to express themselves through fiber arts and passion projects.”
Every week there are new lessons where new crochet patterns can be learned and even different forms of thread art like embroidery, knitting, even talks of possibly learning how to micro-crochet could be possible in the future of the club.
Mave Colechi, Vice President of Stitch & Chat, mentions how every week there is a lesson plan that gets made based on the club interests. Previously, the club has covered crochet basics in the past but are always willing to refresh on the basics for future members, and plan to cover other threat arts like embroidery.
A few members of the club find that crafting using thread helps build community when looking at other people’s talents, as well as allows for practical items that can be used like clothing and household items.
“(When thread arts were) previously dying prior to Covid-19, but since then thread arts have had a resurgence,” Colechi said. “It is nice to see the growth in the community that had resulted from it.”
JJC student Natalie Hanna uses her creativity to help build accessories for cosplay but as well as fun stuffed animals. She crafted the dragon as pictured, which sits one the shoulder in a way that the dragon will not slip easily during a gust of wind when outside.
Mars Pierce, as pictured crafting a bucket hat, has a cousin who has friends even asking for a few of these hats to be able to wear to festivals. There is a variety of things that can be made through fiber arts: items like clothing tops, dish cloths, stuffed animals and so much more.
Not only is the club providing a calm place to just create or even just chat if you’re not that interested in thread art, but through a partnership through the Art Club, the clubs together are holding and even holding a craft fair on April 28, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Howl Hut (the old J-building cafeteria). There will be various crafted arts sold and a silent action.
All JJC students are eligible and encouraged to reserve a booth to sell their own crafts. Sign up will begin soon; for all students who are interested in reserving a booth keep an eye on your email. The booth reservation fee will be $10, and general admission will be free.
If you are interested in crocheting, knitting or embroidery, stop on the bridge every Thursday to chat and even try your own. If you have anything like yarn, needles, etc, feel free to swing by C-Building room C2019 to donate the materials.
