A 'SEW-IN' will take place as part of a gallery takeover.

The events with Southampton artist and poet Nazneen Ahmed are a chance for residents to take part in workshops designed to teach new skills and bring people together.

Inspired by the Afghani tradition of togetherness, participants will make a gallery 'sandali' - the central hearth and quilt that the Afghani family often sits around.

The Afghani Women’s Association will be there to give guidance.

Whether you’re an absolute beginner, someone who did it years ago and can’t remember any stitches, or an experienced embroiderer, you are welcome to come along and contribute to this collaborative piece of artwork.

Nazneed said: "I see my writing as a process of embroidering, because I use partial and forgotten lived history and untold histories as my inspiration, and I have to craft and reshape and embellish them as I go along.

"There are holes in many of the stories I use, because they’re worn with time, and I have to patch them using imagination and words as my thread and my fabric.

"I also see the craft of embroidery as a great way to get people to share stories, because it’s reflective, easy and stops there being too much eye contact, which can make social interaction intimidating or difficult for some.

"These have become the twin aspects of my practice as an artist: the embroidering of stories, and the use of embroidery to generate stories. I’ll be using both of these elements during my week in the gallery, as a way to think about Stand Together."

The workshops are part of Nazneen's gallery takeover at Solent Showcase Gallery on Above Bar, and form part of Kev Munday's 'Stand Together' three month residency.

The Sandali Guided Sessions take place on March 21 from 11am - 2 pm, 4pm - 6 pm, March 22 11am - 2 pm, 4pm - 6 pm, 7pm - 9 pm and March 23 11am - 2 pm, 4pm - 6 pm.

Beginners to more advanced all welcome.

A writer of fiction and poetry for children and adults, Nazneen is currently Writer in Residence at Southampton’s public libraries, in association with So:Write.