Craft and Textiles / children
Virtual creative sewing workshops are keeping kids across Bristol busy
Many parents will be thinking of ways to keep children occupied as schools remain closed.
It’s this problem that inspired Kate Gwynne to set up virtual creative sewing workshops for children aged between six- and ten-years-old.
Kate is a professional costume maker by trade and started her own business, Recherish, in January this year after business began to slow down due to lockdown.
is needed now More than ever
The virtual sewing workshops, held via Zoom, are a way for her to share her skills with people across Bristol and beyond.
“The workshops have been created to give families a chance to come together and do something a bit different, using material that may be already in the house, whilst learning the basic skills of sewing and hopefully having a lot of fun along the way,” says Kate, who lives in St George.
A selection of the items children can make at Kate’s workshops. Photo: Kate Gwynne
Children can create fabric beetle badges, headbands and gnomes in the classes, which can all be made with items around the home.
Everything can be made with material such as socks, elastic hair bands and scrap fabric, and alongside the workshop, there are easy-to-follow patterns and instructions sent ahead.
Kate says the workshops are “designed so you can create together as a family or simply supervise and encourage”.
Recherish also has beginner and intermediate classes available on the website for anyone who wants to try sewing or revamping their wardrobe.
After a trial of making face masks, she began to run her adult sewing classes virtually with great success.
“I have experimented with creating projects that are a little bit different for my workshops and these proved very popular for the adults I teach, so I thought it would be a great idea to see how it could work for children’s workshops,” Kate says.
Kate also uses her own skills to take commissions from people who want to reimagine their precious items as something different.
Kate also does commissions. Photo: Kate Gwynne
“I am passionate about reducing waste and increasing sustainability. In recent years we have all become aware of the incredible waste not just from our fashion industry but within our own homes,” says 47-year-old Kate.
“I hope to show that the only limit is our imagination, alongside your textiles, through all of the above your wants and wishes can be realised.”
Main photo: Kate Gwynne
Read more: Sustainable fashion with Sewing Links
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