July 2024 was Stitched Up’s Rewear + Renew series takeover at Ordsall Hall in Salford. Ordsall Hall is the oldest surviving building in Salford! It’s an absolutely beautiful space, and you should definitely have a wander around their gardens, great hall, and recreated rooms. Plus, it’s free to enter!
Ordsall Hall wanted to offer a short series of programmes dedicated to promoting sustainable practices and learning new skills. Enter Stitched Up! Every Sunday for the month of July we taught visitors valuable repair skills, shared recycling initiatives, and discussed the global impact the fast fashion industry has on our planet and people.
Each week was a different workshop or event to explore a different way to take action on sustainable fashion.
Week one was Wardrobe Surgery, where visitors could drop in for free with their broken or unloved clothing item, and learn how to transform it into something they’ll love. Participants were able to take up a skirt, change the neckline of a top, mend trousers, and one feedback form mentioned “I was able to crop a hoodie and it looks so much better, I feel better” We’ve written all about why you’ll love wardrobe surgery here.
Week two we ran a Textile Waste Lab. We taught participants about fast fashion and the textile waste crisis the planet has to tackle, and then we worked together to discuss community driven solutions. We have a number of no sew workshops available such as this one, read more about them here.
Week three was Re-do Your Denim. We taught a variety of techniques you can use to mend, reinforce, or add flair to your denim items. People brought their own jeans, or used our second hand samples to patch, embroider, or learn sashiko inspired stitches. We’ve got a video on top tips for using this centuries old technique on our youtube channel. People said of the event – “It’s great to have a relaxing screen-free activity & explore creativity”
And finally, our fourth week was an upcycled coin purse workshop. Using leftover awning material from a bag commission project with Unicorn Grocery, participants made their very own tapestry style coin purse. Taking part in this workshop, visitors kept materials out of landfill, and took part in a craft that’s great for one’s well being.
Have a look at some more photos below. We loved this takeover, and it looks like you did too! Here’s some feedback we got from the sessions –
“Nice to chat to everyone + make stuff in a lovely setting”
“Before today I would have had zero confidence in attempting to repair my own clothes, but now I feel I could give it a go + save some money!”
“I have been out of the house and talking to different people. I have poor health and am often bored at home”
“It’s given me some good ideas”
“It’s been very relaxing and very positive”
“A lot of useful information… given me lots of ideas”
Want us to take over at your organisation or group? Get in touch with our enquiry form, and we’d be happy to create a custom program for you!
