Clothes upcycling workshop was ‘sew’ much fun

CARLOW library was abuzz with creativity and innovation recently, when Carlow Co Council hosted its Flaunt it, Fix it clothes upcycling workshop.

The two-hour workshop, led by tutor and artist Athena Brownrigg, offered teenagers a fresh take on fashion, emphasising sustainability and artistic expression while repurposing their clothes. Participants learned basic hand-sewing techniques, along with how to incorporate different materials, patterns and colours to breathe new life into their old clothes. The hands-on activities allowed them to experiment with their creativity, resulting in personalised fashion items that reflected their individual styles.

The workshop also highlighted the importance of sustainable fashion practices, encouraging attendees to think critically about their consumption habits and the environmental impact of the fashion industry.

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their appreciation for the practical tips and ideas shared during the session.

As one mother commented after collecting three of the girls: “They thoroughly enjoyed it and were full of chat about the workshop on the way home, far more than the usual ‘grand’. They all learned something new or got different ideas for new projects. I’ve never seen the three of them as animated about something before.

‘‘The only complaint was that the time went too fast and I had to promise to sign them up if I see anything similar happening again. The sewing box came straight out last night and my daughter started making hair scrunchies. She has great plans to embellish some other bits in her wardrobe.” Carlow Co Council and Carlow library continues to support community engagement and environmental education through events like the ReStyle workshop.