The British Heart Foundation launches The Big Stitch

The British Heart Foundation launched its latest campaign this weekend: The Big Stitch – calling on fashionable DIY-aficionados to showcase their craftiness. Between the 1st and 15th of July BHF is encouraging you to visit their stores across the country to find thrift shop gold and upcycle it.

The British Heart Foundation raises around £30 million each year through their clothing shops alone. Proceeds help to fight coronary heart disease through the funding of life-saving heart research. With over 550 clothing shops all across the UK BHF are the UK’s largest charity retailer, which means you are certain to run into some amazing pieces.

Participating in the BHF’s The Big Stitch is fun and easy. Simply make your way to your local BHF shop, choose any item and get crafty. Personalise your item in any way you like to make it your own. Share ‘before and after’ pics of your upcycled find to BHF’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #TheBigStitch for a chance of winning some amazing prizes such as a Janome 2200XT sewing machine or a £50 voucher for a Sew Over It dressmaking course.

Not only is The Big Stitch a fun way to get creative while raising money for a great cause it’s also a fantastic opportunity to discover what you can do with second hand clothing. Shopping at BHF stores is a way to save both money and loads of perfectly wearable clothing items from ending up as landfill. Though, does anybody still need to be convinced of the magic of second hand clothing shops after Macklemore’s Thrift Shop?

During the campaign BHF will be running a photowall on their website featuring entries. To get involved head over to your closest BHF store and get out your DIY kit. The winners will be announced on 3rd August.

Sally Wijers
Photos: Courtesy of British Heart Foundation

For more information visit the BHF website.