From Rags to Reuse – Upcycling and Sustainability Workshop
Join craft artist and eco lifestylist Stella Carruthers for a day of practical textile upcycling and learning about sustainability in the context of low waste living. Gain practical skills in rag rug techniques and engage with ideas around textile waste, green washing and actions you can take to make a difference in your daily life and the wider world.
Description
Stella Carruthers, textile artist and eco lifestylist, will guide you on this one-day workshop to learn about sustainable living from a reduce and reuse perspective. Learn about textile waste as a global issue and explore rag rug making techniques - you will leave the workshop with the skills to finish a project at home. Investigate the 8 pillars of the zero-waste movement and how they can inform low waste living. Identify the key components of greenwashing so you can make informed purchases as a conscious consumer. Finally, leave the workshop feeling empowered to explore wider social and political actions as they apply to waste issues in contemporary society.
Most materials provided but please bring a pair of small sewing scissors and sewing shears if you have them, pen and paper, and your lunch.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:
- talk confidently about textile waste as a global issue and be empowered with the skills and ideas to reduce your personal textile waste footprint through recycling and upcycling practices
- have the beginnings of a cushion cover made using the rag rug stitching technique of couching and the skills and knowledge to finish the project at home.
-Identify and describe the 8 pillars of the zero-waste movement and how they apply to recycling practices in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand society.
- Understand what greenwashing is and have debunked some common greenwashing myths prevalent in society.
- Have learned some practical tips for living low waste in the city.
- Feel empowered to explore wider social and political action as it applies to waste issues in the modern world.
A condition of enrolment is that you must provide photo ID when you attend.
Note: Courses need a minimum number to go ahead so if we don't have enough enrolments a few days before the start date, we have to cancel. We'll let you know by email so please check yours regularly. If you need to cancel your registration, here are our terms and conditions: "What You Need to Know".