Affordable bi-weekly sewing classes coming to Macclesfield
By Alex Greensmith 18th Jan 2024
New affordable sewing classes are coming to Macclesfield.
Macclesfield Indoor Market stall Modern Woolfare have teamed up with a Macclesfield good cause - also in the Indoor Market - to offer the lessons.
Brian Painter of Modern Woolfare has joined forces with ONE Project Macclesfield to provide two sewing sessions per week, and you won't believe the price.
Modern Woolfare's Brian Painter explained how and why it came to be:
"ONE Project [Macclesfield] have been very supportive of me since I moved in," said Brian.
They often get donated lots of material and clothing that comes in damages or is too good to go to landfill, so can be reused by the community.
"One of the big restricting factors for people to get into sewing is that they don't have space for a sewing machine, they don't know how to use one, or they can't afford it.
"So I've invested money into a purpose-built sewing workshop here at Modern Woolfare.
"We can have six people in at any time. We are going to host one workshop on a Monday and one on a Wednesday.
"On a Monday will be 'Restitch' where can come in, use the sewing machine and learn how to repair garments. Materials are supplied for that.
"And then on Wednesday we have 'Crafternoon' where if you don't have access to a sewing machine you can come down, access to my materials, expertise and all the equipment as well.
"Monday is for repairing your clothes, and Wednesday you can be as creative as you like.
"I've chosen to price it at £10 so it is accessible to the community.
"That covers my costs, and half of the profits go straight to the ONE Project so they can do things for the community too."
Both the Monday and Wednesday sewing sessions are from 12pm-4pm
ONE Project Macclesfield's Martin Handley explained in his words how the collaboration came to be.
"We wanted to upcycle bits of clothing that aren't too good for our shop floor," said Martin.
"So Brian came up with the idea to allow people to choose from the rail of undesirable items to sew and do what we want with."
"We are very grateful for our donations every day, but there are some items we can't sell. So to have found a new use for them is perfect."
"It feels amazing to have found a new purpose for them. Recycling is not always the way forward, but it has to be at the moment. Upcycling is definitely the way forward."
"I think it is one of those skills that are like riding a bike, if you do learn it, you will always have that talent then."
Modern Woolfare is already known for selling top quality handmade woolen garments, and now wants to be known for sewing.
"I taught myself to sew in lockdown," added Brian.
"I got my first sewing kit from a charity shop but very quickly moved onto the industrial machines."
Brian had this to say as to why he thinks more Maxonians should pick up the needle and learn to sew.
"There are so many things going to landfill," he explained.
"And sewing is a skill that is no longer taught in schools.
"But it's something if we all knew you could save yourself throwing clothes away needlessly, or if there is some clothes you really wanted you could make it yourself."
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