Torn jeans and sweaters with holes can rise again and find new life as repurposed garments, according to an instructor from an upcoming Make Do and Mend fashion workshop.
With the intent of helping people revitalize their well-loved and worn clothing, the workshop is one of two held in the run up to ECouture Wearable Art Fashion Show at Powell River’s Vancouver Island University (VIU) campus.
“These days there is a madness to just buy, buy, buy,” said workshop instructor Shaunalee Yates, “but you can replace that with the good feeling you get by doing something creative.”
An expert at patchwork, weaving and woolneedle felting, Yates said the goal of the workshop is to plug into people’s creative talents in order prevent waste.
Inspired by the documentary The True Cost, which explores the global impact of fashion on both people and the environment, Yates said she wants more buyers to be aware of where their clothing comes from.
“The global clothing market is a nasty situation,” said Yates. “Making or repurposing our own clothes is a way we can do an end run around these people.”
In addition to being socially conscious, repurposing clothes is a way to save items that are just too beautiful or meaningful to throw away.
“I’ve had beautiful Hudson’s Bay blankets that have gotten moth holes,” said Yates, “but with needle felting you can do a design and repair that.”
Taught by Yates and Fran Cudworth, the workshop also promises to teach students how to upcycle sweaters without the need for a high-quality serger to prevent fraying.
“You don’t have to have fancy equipment,” said Yates. “There’s a way Fran and I have been doing it and it works.”
In addition to each participant crafting their own pair of fingerless gloves from repurposed garments, there will also be a mini-clothes swap at the workshop, where individuals can donate or exchange used or unwanted clothing items.
“The more we keep out of the landfill,” said Yates, “the more we help.”
ECouture fashion show founder Amber Friedman, along with textile artisan Wendy Drummond, will be hosting the second workshop in the series, Exploring Surface Design Techniques, which looks at stencilling, stamping and hand stitching.
Design workshop participants will be shown techniques such as how to crochet clothing from old cassette tapes and how to make clothing from other recycled materials such as paper or plastic.
“A big part of our mission,” said Friedman, “is to raise awareness and offer solutions to how clothes are being made.”
Make Do and Mend fashion workshop at VIU starts at 6 pm, Wednesday, February 24. Call 604.485.2878 or visit pr.viu.ca to register.
