Sustainability Awareness Week 2020: Stitch and Mend Workshop: Upcycling Jeans to a Crossbody Bag

Sustainability is a key component of FIT’s mission and is embedded in the college’s curriculum and operations. During virtual Sustainability Awareness Week, from October 5 to 9, 2020, we invited our community to learn about recent innovations from leaders in the industry, experience FIT’s efforts to make a positive impact on the earth, and discover new ways to live with a smaller footprint.We all have our favorite things to wear from jeans, dresses, all the way to shoes. There are also pieces in our closet that we don’t want to throw away because maybe one day we may wear them. Sound familiar? In this workshop, students will learn the magic behind sewing, upcycling, and create something brand new out of those unworn pieces in your closet.Presenter: Isabel Varela, public speaker, master tailor, sustainable fashion activist, zero-waste fashion designer, and artist.Materials Needed: Small home-sewing machine / Industrial Machine; Tape measure; Scissors; Seam ripper; Navy thread; White tailors chalk; Pins or Safety Pins; Iron; Old Pair of Jeans; Towel; Construction Paper; Pencil