Cwtch [pronounced cootch]. (adj) (v) Welsh.
I like the word cwtch. It’s a nice word. A warm and fuzzy word. It’s also a word with more than one meaning.
Now my favourite definition of the word is the verb (to cwtch). It means to hug; to cuddle; to comfort. If one of my children fell over when they were little they would want a cwtch from Mammy to make them better. If I’m feeling chilly in the evening, there’s no better way to get warm than a cwtch from my hubby. See? Nice word. Use it lots.
The other definition of cwtch is the one I want to tell you about today. It’s also a nice word. It describes a small, cosy space. Most Welsh houses have a “cwtch dan stâr” (the little space under the staircase); or if your puppy has been naughty you may tell him to “cer cwtch!” (go to your basket!).
I have my own cwtch where I sew. My cwtch is at the top of the stairs outside my bedroom door. It’s where the landing turns to make a [very little] “L” shape. My sewing table just about squeezes into my cwtch.
On top of my table I have my sewing machine; my overlocker; my lamp; my ham & sleeve roll; my magazine holders full of “Sewing World”, “Sew Hip” & “Sew” magazines; my quilting extension table and the thing that catches all the bits from my overlocker.
Underneath the table I have a little chest of drawers full of all my bits & bobs and sewing paraphenalia; my plastic boxes and bags of fabric; my bin and my chair.
(note: the bannister is quite useful to hold “work in progress”)
Ok, not a very organised or practical cwtch (to sew, everything has to be moved and dumped on my bed) but it’s mine. It’s warm and cosy and quiet and I rarely get disturbed. It’s where all my creations are – well – created! It’s where all my disasters happen. It would be nice to have a bigger cwtch – perhaps enough space so I don’t need to hire a removal van every time I want to stich a hem – but then it wouldn’t be a cwtch……… would it?
