At Stitched Up we are always looking for ways to expand the reach of sustainable fashion to different groups of people, and in the process help foster connections for different communities. Thanks to funding from LGBT Foundation, we ran a 6 week course at The Proud Place earlier in 2024, teaching a range of repair, alterations and upcycling techniques for the trans community.
The purpose was to empower the LGBT+ community to create a wardrobe that makes them feel like their best self, in a sustainable manner. This course was for the LGBT community of Manchester, and we particularly encouraged trans people to apply.
In sessions we developed pieces free from restrictive traditional expectations and rules of sewing. Through the course we invited the participants to explore what physical features they want their clothes to have, rather than being restricted to what is available in fast fashion.
We looked at visible mending as an opportunity to express one’s individuality through our clothes, as an extension of the crafting of the self. Alterations was also a key skill learned in the workshops, and participants brought a wonderful variety of clothing to alter to fit them. Participants also worked on reworking projects, taking a garment (or in one instance a bed canopy) and transforming them into a totally unique piece of clothing.
Feedback was incredibly positive, with participants taking great value from the course:
“Creating a space like this for us meant a lot to me”
“Just a message thank you, this space was very valuable to me for so many reasons, as a fat queer person who enjoys dressing androgynously learning the skills and gaining the confidence to alter and repair clothes is so liberating and empowering”
Scroll down for more photos from this course. We’d love to run more of these courses, if we can find funding to subsidise the cost for participants. If you’d be interested in joining a future course or have suggestions for venues or funding, please do get in touch.
