The Upcycling Group at CREW

In an era of over-consumption, the Upcycling group aims to encourage a move away from throwaway practices where we are constantly buying new things, using them briefly, and throwing them away. Instead, the group adopts a more circular system, where products and materials are kept in use and waste is minimised.

The aim is to re-think and re-imagine our choices. We can all refuse single use, reduce consumption, reuse everything, refurbish old stuff, repurpose, being creative and inventive, and recycling as the last option.

Stitch it, Don’t Ditch it

Fighting fast fashion by repairing / revamping our clothes and other sew-able items. Facilitated by Kathy Kohl and Sally Lemsford, these sessions involve inspiration / skill share; we have a sewing machine and lots of haberdashery available for people to get creative.
Sessions take place at the Beach House Park pavilion building on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month (apart from August). Please book your free place on Eventbrite.                                     

We’d love to include more upcycling group events, maybe furniture upcycling, art using found objects, or jewellery-making from scraps. If you could lead an upcycling session of any type, please contact: info@worthingcrew.co.uk

Comments from a couple of our regulars:

Julie: “I’m so glad I got involved with Stitch It Don’t Ditch It.  The movement feels right, something practical to do to address our dwindling reserves of hope for the planet.  We can be simply sewing a hole in a sock to altering a garment to fit or creating something totally different like a skirt and top from a dressing gown.  We are all learning from each other and supporting each other.
I have borrowed these words from another mender who is in the media TwistedTwee but they are words that resonate:
‘We’re slowly all binding ourselves together, becoming a giant human mend.  By the end of the day I feel as light and energised as if I’d spent time in therapy.’
Isn’t that fantastic?!”

Felix (blogger): “Since I started raising Sustainable Fashion awareness, my goal is to learn sewing, be able to mend or redesign clothes that I already have, and maybe one day organise clothes swapping events.
I am so glad I discovered Stitch it at Crew, which has given me a space to do all these things, and learn along the way. I had zero knowledge in sewing, I only knew how to sew on a button. But now I have learned darning, different types of stitching, how to operate a sewing machine and different styles of embroidery. This community is also a safe space for meaningful conversations surrounding social and environmental issues which is something I’m passionate about. I am really glad to meet everyone in this community. Huge thanks to Sally and Kathy as well.”
You can follow Felix’s blogs on www.threadsxchange.com