Upcycling Fabric Scraps : New Textiles From Old

Join CSSC for a full day masterclass in upcycling fabric scraps and creating new textiles from old using free motion embroidery, as seen on The Great British Sewing Bee.

Learn how to curate coloured scraps to create a harmonious design using your own project leftovers, or rummage in out textile recycling tub where we’ve saved every bit of leftover fabric from our sewing classes. Add textural interest using yarn and thread scraps salvaged from our peg loom and punch needle workshops with Stephanie Fradette. Build abstract texture or hand cut small motifs to create a repeat pattern (adding the scraps back in as you go of course!).

Over the course of the day Cass will show you how to create new fibres and textiles from old, by sandwiching your salvaged collage between translucent organza materials and quilting them in place. You’ll leave with a finished cushion cover or wall hanging that demonstrates the techniques you’ve learned. Once you’ve mastered this technique on a small scale you can go on to create larger projects for your home, or even piece your samples together to make stunning and unique zero waste garments!

As avid champions of sustainable crafting, we’re super excited to have Cassandra Belanger, who is an international authority on the subject, teaching this specially devised workshop on creating new textiles from old and upcycling fabric scraps. Cass is a founding member of the Zero Waste Design Collective, and has put together this course that explores upcycling techniques that utilise every inch of your fabric, repurposing them into new textiles ready to make new again. She has recently visited Africa to work with tailors, upcyclers, brands and educators, using this technique as a tool to combat the environmental threat of textiles in landfill, oceans and beaches in the global south. Read more here: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news.

This masterclass in upcycling fabric scraps and creating new textiles from old is a beginner friendly course where you will learn all you need to complete your project in the day, and leave with the skills and confidence you need to create more up cycled textiles at home. It is also a great skill building opportunity for seasoned sewists looking to work more sustainably, and to add new skills to your stitching repertoire. See our programme of weekly classes and weekend workshops for more sustainable sewing!

Course cost includes: 

• Use of 230DC Janome computerised sewing machine each 
• Cost of fabrics and haberdashery
• Use of 6234XL overlocker (shared between students)