Community Threads: An Evening of Music, Dance and Community Fundraising
August 12th // 7pm-8.45pm OR 9pm-11pm // Tickets from £5
Join us for a night of music, creativity, and community to raise funds for Sandra's Piloya's zero waste sewing business in Northern Uganda. Come and support Sandra as she builds on her zero waste micro-enterprise, creating a sustainable livelihood for herself and her family.
The night's entertainment includes live music from Swiss chanter Prune Karlen and vibraphonist Clément Waquet performing their new EP Autrement, followed by award-winning Scottish composer Ross Whyte. Special guest Sue Tompkins joins us for the 9pm showing. There will be the opportunity to bid on some creative goodies from some of Scotland's finest makers and artists in an online auction prior to the evening. You will be able to collect your winnings on the night and potentially meet its maker! Be part of this vibrant creative community and help The Stitchery raise money for a good cause.
Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available and you are welcome to bring your own drinks (alcohol permitted).
Prune Karlen & Clément Wacquet
Prune Karlen is a singer and songwriter based in Lausanne. Shaped by nine formative years in Scotland and the changes that followed her return to Switzerland, she writes songs that blend chanson, folk and jazz, with a strong emphasis on storytelling. In collaboration with vibraphonist and percussionist Clément Waquet, her music takes shape as a duo centred on space, texture and musical interplay. Her debut EP, ‘Autrement’, was released in April 2026.
Ross Whyte
Ross Whyte is an award-winning Scottish composer who writes for film and theatre. His most recent credits include the atmospheric and haunting scores for the films Narram for BBC Alba, and Upstream, commissioned by Lyre Productions and The Canmore Trust and premiered at the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 2025.
Sue Tompkins
Sue Tompkins (b.1971, Leighton Buzzard) is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Glasgow. Her practice is rooted in language - in the formation of words, the use of speech and voice, and other forms of personal expression. Tomkins has explored this territory through live performance, text, sound, installation and paintings. In these works, fragments of conversation and everyday phrases are repeated, distorted and re-arranged. Tomkins was the lead singer of cult alternative indie band Life Without Buildings (1999-2002).
A little bit about Sandra Piloya
Sandra and Cass first met in 2009 while Cass (The Stitchery) was living and working in Gulu. Over the past 17 years, they've built a lasting friendship, supporting each other through many different seasons of life.
In 2023, Sandra completed a year of tailoring training at a local artisan centre. During that time, Cass introduced her to zero waste design, sharing techniques and resources that sparked a new creative direction. When Cass returned to Uganda in 2024, they spent time working together, developing Sandra's skills in zero waste pattern cutting and textile techniques.
Since then, Sandra has been building her own sewing business, combining her tailoring skills with sustainable design principles. She has the talent, determination, and vision to create a business that reflects her values and provides high-quality, thoughtfully made garments.
Like many entrepreneurs, however, getting a business off the ground requires upfront investment. Between the costs of equipment and materials and her ongoing responsibilities to support her family, it's been difficult to access the resources needed to grow.
This fundraiser is about helping bridge that gap. Your support will enable Sandra to invest in the tools and materials she needs to expand her zero waste sewing business and build a sustainable livelihood on her own terms.
Sandra has already done the hard work of developing her skills. This is an opportunity to back a capable, driven entrepreneur as she takes the next step.
The funds raised will go towards:
A basic wage to help Sandra support herself and her family in the early stages
Rent for a small tailoring workspace
Essential furniture and equipment
Fabrics and haberdashery
Sewing machines
Any Questions?
We are committed to full transparency in how all funds are used. Please inquire if you have any questions.
Booking
There are two showings: 7pm-8.45pm OR 9pm-11pm.
Ticket prices are offered at a sliding scale, starting at £5 for an accessible ticket. If you can afford the full price of £20.00 this helps us offer accessible tickets. Please choose a ticket price that suits your financial position.
The Stitchery operates under a business model of full transparency. If you have any questions about how we cost our courses and what the breakdown of costs is, please feel free to get in touch for more information.
Cancellation & Course Fees Refund
Please be aware that there is a £10 non-refundable administration fee included in the cost of this ticket. This means that if you need to cancel your booking more than 14-days PRIOR to the ticketed session you will be able to receive a partial refund of £45. After that date, partial refunds are not guaranteed so please get in touch so we can discuss your situation.
If for any reason you change your mind and need to cancel your booking, please email us (info@thestitcherystudio@gmail.com) immediately so that we can release your place to someone on the waiting list.