 Botanical materials laid out on wool cardigan ready for dying. We have the great privilege in Dunedin to meet and work with many amazing artists and textile practitioners. We met Kirsten Kosh, graduate of the Dunedin School of Art, leading up to our UNSTITCHED pop up in 2017. She has wonderful skills with wire work and jewellery, and lead a fantastic workshop of weaving wire pendants in a workshop that was completely booked out. Recently she has been studying eco dyeing, using traditional techniques for printing fabrics with flowers, herbs and other found items, including rusty nails! Kirsten has agreed to share her knowledge in workshop for us. Kirsten will bring in examples of her eco-dyed garments to help participants understand the technique and see the possibilities for their pieces. "We will assess the dye properties of different fibres and weaves, and work in pairs using dye materials, mordants and ways of folding and binding our fabric to produce different effects." Eco-Dye Workshop Saturday 10th October 11am - 2pm Stitch Kitchen Studio, 88 Vogel Street Cost $20 For further info and bookings, email now Numbers for this workshop are strictly limited, so if you are interested in this fascinating area, please register your interest early to avoid missing out. If you are unable to make it, we will run this workshop again, so do keep an eye out for updates.
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We held our first official AGM on Monday 20th August, 2018. A fantastic opportunity to review the highlights of the last 3 years since we were established as a not-for-profit trust. Our Chair, Fi Clements, shared about our UNSTITCHED events, in association with Fashion Revolution; our community fashion shows held as part of the Vogel Street Party; our Bags For Good project; the many community workshops we have and continue to run; and the Swap Shop for minimising textile waste. We had many people to thank, including Alison Milne (my mum), Marion and Alister Maxwell, for all their work helping to get various donations of fabric scraps and pieces into order for the Swap Shop ; and the many helpers who have helped to sew bags and make the Bags For Good project possible. You can read the full Chair's Report here, and the full Minutes of the AGM here. Thank you to everyone who has been involved as we've grown over the past 3 years!!   ALEXANDER TURNBULL LIBRARY Ref: PUBL-0126-1894-01. Click for link to STUFF.CO.NZ article. 125 years ago, women of New Zealand used all their available resources - their time, energy, voice, feet, and embroidery skills, to win a major victory towards equality; the right under the law of our land to vote. This was not a victory to end all battles on social, economic, racial, and gender inequality, but it was a momentous beginning. Today the skills used by our inspiring predecessors are still alive and well, and provide inspiration for many to find their own way to express their views and add their voice to the cry for justice in our world.
or is it just an excuse to get together with friends and play with textiles...? Both, really, and why not? :) Our creative pennant making workshop, kindly hosted by Dunedin Public Library, will give us the opportunity to meet other like-minded crafty people and share skills and ideas around how we can make life in our community... city... country... world that much better. We hop you will be able to join us: Monday 1st October 2018, 1-4pm in the Dunningham Suite on the top floor of Dunedin Public Library. Koha of $5 covers materials and tuition. Email us for more information. For bookings, email the library.  Much of the global fashion industry is opaque, exploitative, and environmentally damaging and desperately needs revolutionary change. Fashion Revolution brings everyone together to make that happen. It starts with one simple question: "Who made my clothes?" Fashion Revolution believes this simple question gets people thinking differently about what they wear. We need to know that our questions, our voices, and our shopping habits can have the power to help change things for the better.  Measuring the impact of the 2017 Fashion Revolution campaign. Our Fashion Revolution Photobooth is a chance for visiting designers and guests from around NZ, and the world, to connect with this campaign during ID Dunedin Fashion Week. Fashion fans can also get in on the action by showcasing the brands they love and inviting those brands to share their story. It’s as simple as looking out for our photobooth before the show each night, letting us know a few simple details, and having your photo taken. Everyone is also welcome to take a selfie and post online with hashtags #whomademyclothes, #lovedclotheslast. See the Fashion Revolution website for more information and resources.
It's now been a year since a small group of us met and brainstormed about creating local bag libraries to reduce the number of single-use plastic bags we use :D 
These sewing bees are open to everyone; all ages and levels of experience welcome. At each workshop, we have lots of options for lending a hand: from unpicking donated curtains and duvet covers, to pressing, cutting, and sewing. It's a chance to learn some new skills, put old ones into practice, and connect with others through the shared goal of reducing waste.  We have a range of sewing bees at venues throughout the city, and we're keen to hear from any groups who would like to get involved and host a 'bag bee'. Email for more info. Place: Stitch Kitchen Studio, 88 Vogel Street, Dunedin Date: 2nd and 4th Thursday each month (except when Regent bee is on instead) Time: 3-7pm (pop in when you can for as long or short a time as you can) Cost: Free! Plus tea and coffee provided. Registration: Optional, simply email or text Fiona if you're planning to come along. Place: The Valley Project, 262 North Road, North East Valley, Dunedin Date: 1st Saturday each month Time: 10am-1pm (afternoon also available as 'Mend and Make Awesome' follows) Cost: Free! Plus tea and coffee provided. Registration: Optional, simply email or text Fiona if you're planning to come along. Place: The South Dunedin Community Pop-Up, 199 Hillside Road (King Edward Street end), South Dunedin Date: Every Tuesday in May Time: 1-3pm Cost: Free! Registration: Optional, simply email or text Fiona, or see Dunedin Public Library website for more info. Place: Clarkson Room, Regent Theatre, Lower Octagon, Dunedin Date: Thursday 10th May (plus more dates coming soon) Time: 10am-2pm Cost: Free! Registration: Optional, simply email or text Fiona
A special Thank You to everyone who has come along to our sessions and helped us over the past year!! We are having a go at bringing our Mend and Make Awesome workshops to the university, to help students deal with the rips and tribulations of their wardrobes (while their mums and grandmas are no longer in reach to pass their mending off to!) It's not only for students though, as anyone can register and get involved! We'll be focusing on simple repairs, like darning, patching holes, and fixing buttons, so this is an excellent opportunity to learn some of these timeless skills. They will be held at OUSA's Clubs and Societies Centre, 84 Albany Street, on Saturday 28th April, and Saturday 26th May, from 2-4pm. There is a $15 charge for these sessions (as opposed to the usual Koha), as we have to cover costs with these. Minimum and maximum numbers also apply. Click the link below for booking and further info on OUSA website: Our 'Mend and Make Awesome' social sewing workshops have been steadily growing in popularity over the last year. So much so, we're struggling to find space for everyone in our Vogel Street studio! With the help of The Valley Project, we are now able to offer these fun and rewarding workshops in their community rooms, 262 North Road, North East Valley. There is plenty of parking, and covered space on the porch for bikes. :) We'll be there on the FIRST SATURDAY of each month for the rest of this year, from 1-4pm (we'll be set up in the morning, running a BAGS FOR GOOD workshop from 10am, and anyone is welcome anytime).
Last year, as part of UNSTITCHED, I ran an 'op shop hop' event, touring central city op shops and sharing my styling tips on shopping well for less. This was a great chance for me to put into practice the knowledge I have gained from my 'previous life' working as a personal image consultant; helping people to understand (and apply) how to dress to suit not just their physical appearance, but their personality and lifestyle.
Recently, I connected with local entrepreneur Kate Grey, co-founder of Pikaado (a new online platform for Dunedinites to share our skills in fun, small-scale workshops, and to find social ways to connect and learn new skills). She had had requests from many people for a workshop where they could get help shopping; to save time, money, and reduce the confusion of working out which of 'this seasons trends' were worthwhile for them. Remembering the fun of the op shop hop, I thought 'why not'? This session is for those of us who are new to thinking about 'shopping consciously' and want some help to 'buy less and choose well', while still enjoying the convenience of 'high street shopping'.  It will be an easy, fun, practical solution to the countless hours of frustration staring at your wardrobe wondering how you have so many clothes and so little you want to wear. There are two time options, Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning, and the groups are limited to 4 people, so it's a great chance to bring a friend or family member, or simply enjoy getting to know a couple of new friends. Date: Thursday 26th April or Saturday 28th April Cost: $45/person (discount applies for booking with others) Registration: Essential, via Pikaado website
Introducing our new creative social networking session! When we had our pop-up shops in 2016 and 2017, we enjoyed the comradery of people popping in for lunch, a chat, and to share their current hand-craft project. With our new name, it was natural to reintroduce this shared space, and one of our favourite cafe's has provided the perfect location! No matter what your level of experience or interest in textile arts, everyone is welcome to join the table for shared conversation, inspiration and practical hand crafts. It's a fantastic way to meet like minded people. Bring your handwork (knitting, needlework, darning...) or whatever is inspiring (or frustrating) you at the moment, and gather for problem-solving, chat and inspiration. Date: Third Thursday every Month! Time: Anytime from 1-3pm Place: Morning Magpie Cafe, 46 (Lower) Stuart St, Dunedin Cost: Just what you order* Registration: Not essential, walk ins welcome. Or email us and we can keep an eye out for you. (*We usually get a pot of tea for the table, so no need to feel out-of-place if you choose not to order anything.)
Included in our program for Fashion Revolution this year, we are delighted to have two events with visiting social entrepreneur, author, and upcyling pioneer Jane Milburn. Jane was born in Owaka, and has lived in Brisbane for the past 20 years. Fi met Jane at the Eco Fashion Week in Perth earlier this year, and we're thrilled she will be returning to Otago for a visit, right on time for Fashion Revolution and ID Dunedin Fashion week. Jane has recently published her book: "Slow Clothing: Finding Meaning in What We Wear". "Slow Clothing" presents a compelling case for why we need to change the way we dress, to live lightly on Earth through the everyday practice of how we wear and care for our clothes. In an era dominated by the passive consumption of cheap and synthetic fashion, Jane Milburn arrived at the Slow Clothing philosophy by refashioning her own garments. The clothing surplus in wardrobes and op shops presents a creative opportunity to revive, adapt, and mend garments to suit ourselves while discovering our unique style.  We have arranged two events with Jane, hosted by the Dunedin Public Library. Jane will share her extensive knowledge and experience with the clothing industry in a public talk (coinciding with Fashion Revolution Day), followed by a practical workshop the following week (coinciding with ID Dunedin Fashion Week):
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