Recycled Sewing Studio
"Stitching up the past"
As a registered Secondary Teacher, doing casual relief teaching for many years, I have witnessed and participated in many learning environments. Classes in Textiles and Sewing are now not as prevalent in current curriculums and therefore most students are not offered the opportunity to learn to sew, whilst at school. I have been teaching sewing Since 2011 in my studio and have recently experienced a rise in interest and enthusiasm for this skill. As schools are now taking on a wider based curriculum in the Primary sector, e.g. Stephanie Alexander Garden and Kitchen Program, I feel that a sewing program, with a focus on RECYCLING, would definitely enhance the SUSTAINABILITY focus expressed in the Australian Curriculum.
In response to a growing awareness about RECYCLING and SUSTAINABILITY practices, I have developed a ‘RECYCLED SEWING SCHOOL PROGRAM’ that can be introduced at the Grade 5 level and continued until the end of Grade 6. The program will enable the students to develop their sewing skills over two years and in this time, they will complete EIGHT recycled projects, that are both usable and practical.
Teachers can book into PD sessions conducted at the Recycled Sewing Studio, to complete the projects themselves and receive hands on sewing training and teaching tips.
They will also become familiar with a ‘step by step’ approach to implementing the program, once they are back at school.
Cost $350 per teacher – materials and lunch provided.
Time: 9 – 3pm.
Participants per PD session – 4/5
PD Certificate provided by accredited teacher.
Access our free ‘Introductory Tutorials’ on our Recycled Sewing Studio website or Youtube Channel, so that students can be taught basic skills, to commence this program.
Teachers can then guide the students to make sure that they are able to set up the machine, operate it effectively and are able to complete the simple bag project before commencing the set projects.
Schools can book in student groups for one or two 3 hour Workshops
Half the class (12 students) could attend the first workshop and the second half attend the second workshop.
1st session – 8.30 to 11.30.
2nd session – 12.30 to 3.30
12 students per session.
Teachers: 1 Qualified Secondary Teacher and 1 Assistant.
Cost per student per session $60.
Schools can book the Recycled Sewing Studio, to visit their classroom, for an Introductory Sewing Workshop’, which will enable the students to effectively set up and operate a sewing machine. They will also complete a sewing project in the workshop.
The program will be divided into 2x3hour Workshops.
Half the class could attend the first workshop and the second half attend the second workshop.
1st session – 8.30 to 11.30 – 12 students
2nd session – 12.30 to 3.30 – 12 students
Includes qualified Teacher with current VIT registration and an Assistant.
6 Sewing machines – 2 students per machine.
Portable tables.
Materials required to get project started – scissors, threads, pins, needles.
Cost per student per session -$85
Made from a good quality, predominately cotton’ Mens/Ladies Shirt:
This cushion can be used at school to make your chair more comfortable, as you complete your Primary education over the next 2 years.
You will have the opportunity to make your cushion individual and unique, by firstly choosing a good quality shirt that you love and secondly by putting some extra detail on the front of your cushion. More information about this part of the project will be supplied with the instructions.
We will use the buttoned section of the shirt, as our opening, to insert the cushion filler, on completion of your project. You can source this cushion filler, as well as the shirt, at the ‘Op Shop’ or remove a cushion insert from a disused cushion at home. The cushion size is 35cm x 35cm.
Project includes instructional video, pdf and pattern, available to purchase in our online store.
Made from left over shirt fabric from Project 1, plus any other fabric remnants that you may have. You can share shirt fabrics amongst your friends, so that you have more variety to choose from when designing your bag. You will also require 2 pieces of recycled fabric 60x80cm, which could be old sheeting or pillow cases that you no longer use.
This drawstring bag can be used to keep your fabrics and sewing projects together and protected whilst in the process of completing them each term.
This bag will be a patchwork design that will be completely individual. You will cut out different rectangular shapes, that will be pinned onto each of your recycled pieces of fabric – 60x80cm.
There will be a number of different shaped rectangles to use as patterns, which are included in this project. The rectangles will overlap and then be sewn down using the machine. In this project students can be creative and use contrast cottons, as well as different decorating stitches, that are found on most machines.
Project includes instructional video, pdf and pattern, available to purchase in our online store.
Made from lightweight recycled Tee Shirts. A tee shirt is required for each bag.
These bags are great to use at the supermarket to collect loose fruit and vegetables ready to be weighed at the check out. You can also use them to transport food to school and therefore avoid any type of wrapping. Choose good quality light cotton tee shirts to make your bags. I call all my recycled bags ‘Star Bags’ which is related to the school idea of getting a ‘Star’ for good work. To keep it simple, I trace the outline of a large star on the front of the bag and then using the machine and some bright cotton, I sew around the edges of the star to make it stand out. My favourite cottons are ‘Fluoro’ colours as they look great! A ‘Star’ pattern shape, as well as a pattern for each sized bag, is included in this project.
Project includes instructional video, pdf and pattern, available to purchase in our online store.
This project will be made from a bunch of tee shirts that are old, damaged or stained and no longer in use. We will use the best parts of each tee shirt to make up our fabric. Notice that the inside of clothing, that is not affected by the sun, looks brighter and newer on the inside, therefore we will reverse our pieces when sewing them together. We will also re-use the ribbing part of these recycled garments, which is the stretchy fabric around the neck, so keep these pieces safe. You can decorate your tee shirt with extra stitching or even with some simple hand embroidery so that your garment is fabulous and unique!
This project will be a ‘drop shouldered’ tee shirt, which is loose and very simple to put together. You can choose to make a larger oversized comfortable tee shirt, that will last a long time, or a shorter more fashionable one that will match your current style.
The pattern for 4 sizes will be included – XS, S, Med and Large and you can adjust the length. It is so much fun making your own clothing, as it is a great way to express your style plus save on clothing costs!
Project includes instructional video, pdf and pattern, available to purchase in our online store.
Made from an old pair of jeans or any great pair of pants that you love, but no longer fit into or wear. You could also source a great pair of jeans from any Op Shop.
This apron will not only be practical, especially with lots of pockets, but also a great unique garment that you can keep and use for a long time. I love my Jean Aprons which I wear constantly in the studio. I decorate them and as well as being protective as I work, they are also an expression of my creativity. You will have fun doing this project!
Project includes instructional video, pdf and pattern, available to purchase in our online store.
Made from an old pair of jeans or any great pair of pants that you love, but no longer fit into or wear. You could also source a great pair of jeans from any Op Shop.
This project will provide you with a very individual bag, that no one else can claim, as you will sew on your name for all to see. Jeans are very sturdy and their seams are strong, so this will be a long lasting bag for you to use frequently. Once again, besides sewing on your name, you can decorate your bag with extra stitching, or even hang off some pom poms or trinkets from the belt loops around the top of the jeans. Have fun!!
Project includes instructional video, pdf and pattern, available to purchase in our online store.
Made from any fabrics of your choice that are recycled or remnants – e.g. denim, corduroy, towelling or sturdy cottons. Also source some soft lighter cotton fabric for the reverse side of your hat.
This is a lined hat, that is actually reversible. However, make sure that at least one side is made from a soft fabric, as it will be against your skin. Like all your other projects, make your hat unique and individual to you, by adding special stitching and other design features, so that there is no other hat exactly like yours!!
Product includes instructional video, pdf and pattern, available to purchase in our online store.
Made from ‘Fleecy’ fabrics gathered from recycled windcheaters and track pants. We will also use the ribbing part of these recycled garments, which is the stretchy fabric around the neck, cuffs and band. You could also use another fabric to make up the front panel of your windcheater, so that there is no other windcheater quite like yours! You can individualise it even further, by sewing your name onto the front or back panel, along with anything else, that is all about YOU!
This project will be a ‘Raglan’ style windcheater, which I have found is a style that suits most people.
You can choose to make a large oversized comfortable Windcheater, that will last a long time, or a shorter more fashionable one that will match your current style – your choice, as the pattern for 4 sizes will be included – XS, S, Med and Large.
Possibly this could be your Grade 6 Graduation Windcheater and a symbol of one of your many achievements. Other than this, it can just be a great casual garment for you to wear. Be creative and have fun!
Project includes instructional video, pdf and pattern, available to purchase in our online store.
‘Introductory Tutorials’ 1, 2 and 3 are FREE.
Online Project Tutorials – $50 for each project – accessed by the teacher, to be viewed by the entire class. This is NOT a per student cost.
Teacher PD session at the Recycled Sewing Studio – $350 per teacher, per day.
Introductory Workshop at the Recycled Sewing Studio – $60 per student.
Introductory Workshop at your School – $85 per student
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I look forward to hearing from you!
Kind Regards,
Gail Harris
We would like to thank the traditional owners of the land, the Bunurong People, on which Recycled Sewing Studio stands. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging. We pay tribute to the Aboriginal people who have used traditional techniques in weaving and crafts and have passed this wisdom through generations before us.
Copyright 2023 Recycled Sewing Studio. Photography by Mrs Smart Photography. Website by Web Honey Digital.