Sew Much Interest In Fashion And Textiles Event
3 May 2013
Fashion students in the studio.
Skills such as needlework, and clothes and fabric making, are seeing a real resurgence at the moment. It's not just about saving money on fashion but also about being creative and knowing you've produced a unique garment no one else has.
”Bev Reardon - Schools and Colleges Liaison Tutor for the University's Faculty of Arts, Design and Technology
Sewers, knitters and clothes makers are being invited to see fantastic fashions and textile technology at a free 'hands on', one-day event at the University of Derby.
Building on the renewed interest in home-made clothes and furnishings - as shown by the popularity of BBC Two's The Great British Sewing Bee series - the University is running a day of workshops from 9.30am to 4.30pm on Saturday May 11, at its Markeaton Street site, in Derby.
The 'Sewing Bee Saturday' event is open to those aged 18 and above with an interest in textiles and fashion. Great British Sewing Bee show contestant, mechanic and Steampunk enthusiast Mark Sanders from Derbyshire, will be a guest at the event for part of the day.
There will be 20 visitor places available at this first event, with other Sewing Bee Saturdays set to follow if there is continuing interest.
Those wishing to attend on May 11 must book a place in advance through Bev Reardon - Schools and Colleges Liaison Tutor for the University's Faculty of Arts, Design and Technology - by emailing their name and contact details to: b.reardon@derby.ac.uk
On the morning of the event there will be a Textile Printing Workshop showing how textile designs are created; from simple patterns using one type of fabric, to highly complex ones making use of different materials and intricate lines. Visitors will see demonstrations of patterning and colouration techniques including stencil, photographic silkscreen and transfer printing.
In the afternoon there will be a 3D Fashion Workshop designed to give participants experience of the cutting, machine sewing and pressing parts of making a garment. Even those with no experience of creating clothes can attend, as the afternoon will include a demonstration of basic sewing skills.
Visitors will be able to take home anything they make during the day.
Bev said: "Skills such as needlework, and clothes and fabric making, are seeing a real resurgence at the moment. It's not just about saving money on fashion but also about being creative and knowing you've produced a unique garment no one else has.
"Although these skills are thought of as traditional, technology has really broadened what you can do when creating new fashion and textile designs. I think visitors to our May 11 event will be amazed by the possibilities."
Details about the University's Fashion and Textiles courses can be found on the School of Art and Design website at www.derby.ac.uk/art-and-design
