During the winter school holidays something exciting went down at Engadine Uniting Church, bringing together the enthusiasm of youth and the experience of older folk.
On Thursday 11 and Friday 12 July creative young folk took part in our very first School Holiday Sewing Workshop. The workshop was part of the Clothing the Loop1 series of events designed to reuse or repurpose surplus fabrics, saving them from landfill.
Each day was a 3-hour workshop with a different group of teenagers aiming to create their own travel rolls that can transport phones, chargers, cables or makeup so those items remain undamaged.
The sessions started with each teen reciving a little pack of information, scrap fabric and a Freddo Frog on arrival and picking out their favorite fabrics as they arrived. Once everyone had arrived and made their fabric selection time stopped for an Acknowledgment of Country and recognition to our First Nations Peoples. The novice sewers were taken through the anatomy of a sewing machine and how to keep themselves safe while using one before they buddied up with a volunteer sewing mentor and started practising how to use their alloted sewing machine before they started sewing their actual travel roll.
Before long the room was abuzz with the whirr and clatter of sewing machines, interspersed with the quiet noise that comes with teens utterly focused on sewing and encouraging murmurs from their mentor buddies.
The teens told us they came to the workshop because they thought it would be a fun experience. At the end of the 3 hours (scheduled for 2.5 hrs!!!) they left with a completed article, a great sense of accomplishment, new skills, a fun morning and their appreciation at having experienced, caring sewers to guide and teach.
As well as learning how to use a machine, sew in straight lines, oversewing with zig zag stitch to stop fabric fraying and a treasure trove of hot sewing tips from the volunteer instructors, the teens were informed of the negative environmental impacts of fabric waste and Australia’s position as number one country for the highest per capita fashion purchases2. They were encouraged to continue learning sewing skills so they can proactively reduce their fashion purchasing and to reuse and repurpose clothes they no longer want to wear.
We were privileged and grateful that most of the resources for this workshop were provided without cost, allowing us to make this workshop affordable for parents and carers.
- the sewing machines were on loan from church members from Engadine Uniting and St John Bosco Catholic churches
- the fabrics and habadsahery were all donated
- the morning teas were (mostly) supplied by donations from church members and Book Club members.
- the sewing instrucors all volunteered their time to share their joy in sewing with others. We could not have put on this event without the genroristy of time and spirit from Judy, Melanie, Tahlia, Robyn, Sarah, Margaret and Loraine.
But what did the teens say about the event?
‘(I most enjoyed) Sewing straight perfectly and seeing the final product.’
‘Thank you so much for an amazing time. I loved working with my buddy.
’
‘Feeling happy with an excellent instructor.’
AND from one mum ‘I have never seen my two boys so quiet or focused on one task for so long.’
All the newly graduated sewers said they would recommend the workshop to their friends and that they would love to come back again themselves, providing a wishlist of what to make: ‘bucket hat, blanket, shirt, shirt, clothes to wear, totebags, makeup bags’
It seems the teens had as much fun as we did so it looks like we’ll do this again next school holidays!
If you or your child has an interest in sewing and would like to either attend a sewing event or volunteer as a helper or if you have any items you would like to donate to our sewing events, please email sarina@engadineuniting.church.
How we advertised the event
🧵 Calling all High School Students 🧵
Looking for something fun and creative to do over the holidays?
Come and create your own travel roll to store your phone charger or makeup. No sewing experience needed.
RSVP by 8 July here.
🕙 Time: 10am – 12:30pm
📅 Dates: Thursday 11 and Friday 12 July
📍 Location: Engadine Uniting Church, 2 Chipilly Ave
Kids will learn basic sewing skills and will walk away with their own sewn and personalised travel rolll that can be used to safely store their phone/devide chargers when travelling to school or at sleepovers. The roll could also be used for makeup or cutlery on camping trips.
Sewing machines and some fabrics will be available, as will buttons, ribbons and the like for participants to decorate and bling up their own roll. They are welcome to bring their own fabric if they wish. They will need two pieces measuring 40cm x 50cm each.
Morning tea will be available and parents are welcome to stay for the workshop should they choose. There is a payment of $5, to cover the cost of morning tea and materials, which can made on the day via cash or credit card.
Workshops are limited to eight kids and there will be experienced adult sewing instructors available to support each child regardless of their sewing experience or ability. All instructors hold a valid Working with Children’s Check and ready to be available and sensitive to your child’s needs.
RSVP by 8 July here. You’ll need your parents help to RSVP.
Download poster here.
While this workshop is organised by members of Engadine Uniting Church and held in one of its halls, this workshop is secular in nature. The organisers find joy in sewing and wish to share this with others.
You are welcome to email sarina@engadineuniting.church or call on 0402 135255 with any questions or request a hard copy version of this form.
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