Sustainable Stitching: Upcycling & Repurposing Fabrics
Course overview
Transform your approach to textiles in our 5-week adult learning sewing course. In a world of fast fashion and textile waste, the art of fabric upcycling has never been more relevant. Our Sustainable Stitching course guides you through the process of transforming forgotten fabrics into beautiful, functional items for your home and wardrobe.
Learn practical techniques to breathe new life into old fabrics through creative upcycling and repurposing. Perfect for beginners and experienced crafters alike, this hands-on workshop will teach you sustainable sewing practices while reducing textile waste.
Over five weeks, you’ll develop practical skills to assess, prepare, and repurpose a variety of textile materials. From basic mending techniques to creative transformation projects, you’ll learn how to see potential in fabric scraps, worn clothing, and discarded textiles.
Each session combines theory with hands-on practice, allowing you to experiment with different techniques while building a foundation in sustainable textile practices. You’ll leave with completed projects, a personal resource book of techniques, and the confidence to tackle your own upcycling projects at home.
You’ll be guided by our expert tutor Marrit-Christina Young.
You’ll be introduced to a range of skills that will breathe new life into old fabrics! These will include:
- Essential fabric assessment skills: identifying quality, potential, and limitations of different textiles
- Preparation techniques: cleaning, deconstructing, and prepping various fabrics for reuse
- Core mending methods: patching, darning, and reinforcing worn areas
- Creative transformation strategies: reimagining garments and household textiles
- Sustainable design principles: planning projects with minimal waste
- Embellishment techniques: adding value through embroidery, appliqué, and surface design
- Resource efficiency: making the most of every scrap and finding alternatives to new materials
Our expert tutor Marrit-Christina Young will be on hand to guide you throughout this very special sewing course. You’ll benefit from:
- Guided demonstrations of key techniques by our experienced instructor
- Hands-on practice with immediate feedback and support
- Small group size (maximum 8 participants) ensuring personalised attention
- Progressive project work building skills week by week
- Collaborative problem-solving sessions for challenging materials
- Show-and-tell opportunities to share and learn from others’ work
- Take-home assignments to reinforce learning between sessions
- Access to specialised tools and equipment during class time
- Final showcase celebration showcasing everyone’s completed projects
All skill levels are welcome—whether you’re new to sewing or looking to add sustainable methods to your existing skillset. Basic materials are provided, though participants are encouraged to bring their own fabric items for repurposing.
We’ll provide:
- Basic sewing kit (thread, needles, pins, scissors)
- Access to sewing machines during class time
Please bring along:
- 2-3 items of clothing or textiles for repurposing
- Any special notions or embellishments you’d like to use
- A reusable container for taking home scraps and projects
Explore our range of courses and continue your creative journey!
Meet the tutors
We want our learners to feel welcome, safe and at ease when attending our classes, especially if this is your first time attending an adult education class or if you're coming back to education after a break.
If you're interested in one of courses, meet our tutors first! You'll see they have similar passions and interests and, most importantly, the right qualifications to help you make the most of your time and money.
