Person hand stitching

Fight fast fashion: Ryde’s Stitch Department hosts Sustainable Fair this summer

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Stitch Department are hosting an exciting event at Department Ryde; introducing the Sustainable Fair.

This event, taking place on Friday 4th August, will have speakers, kids’ workshops, family sewing workshops and stalls from south coast businesses all encompassing the ethos of sustainable living. 

Perfect for entertaining the kids
As the event takes place during the summer holidays, it’s perfect for entertaining the kids.

Reels of tape measure
patricia serna under CC BY 2.0

The event is free to attend, browse, and listen to talks.

£5 workshops
The workshops are only £5 to attend and bookable through Eventbrite.

Family sewing is also free, so there is something for everyone

Person hand-sewing
kris atomic under CC BY 2.0

A not-for-profit organisation
Stitch Department are a not-for-profit organisation based in Ryde, that strive for a more sustainable lifestyle focusing on mending, textile waste streams, pushing away from fast fashion and prevention from landfill.

Stitch Department host an array of sewing workshops and masterclasses in Ryde as well as mending sewcials and after school clubs.

The Sustainable Fair- What’s on?
You’ll be able to enjoy Family Sewing Workshops based on the theme of ‘endangered animals’. 

Person measuring fabric
volha flaxeco under CC BY 2.0

These are free to attend, but booking is essential via Eventbrite. The Morning Session runs from 10am-12pm and the Afternoon Session runs from 1pm to 3pm.

Speakers

  • 1pm – Liz Cooke: “Protecting our oceans, art and activism”
  • 2pm – Maeve Smith: “What is sustainable self care?”
  • 3pm – Tracey Simmonds: “Scenting your home with your health and the environment in mind”
  • 4pm – Ian Boyd: “Mending The Public Fabric – stitching sustainability back into place”
Bottles of essential oils by Wight Apothecary
© Wight Apothecary

Workshops (£5 each to attend, booking essential through Eventbrite)

  • 10am-12pm – Essential oil shower sprinkles and lip balm making workshop (AGE 10+) with Tracey from Wight Apothecary.
  • 12pm-2pm – Playing with plants and pigments with Kathy from Learning Wild.
  • 2pm-4pm – ‘Punk it up!’, an upcycling workshop with artist and activist Julie Hutchison.
  • 4pm-6pm – Making flags and bunting from upcycled fabric (AGE 8+) with Liz from Liz Cooke Flags.
Buttons and thread
merve sehirli nasir under CC BY 2.0

There will also be stalls from South Coast businesses with sustainability at the heart of everything they do. 

Book your place now
To book your place head over to the Eventbrite Website.


Our thanks to Stitch Department for sponsoring for this feature. They and other businesses and organisations taking paid promotion enables you to continue reading OnTheWight for free.

Image: jacques dillies under CC BY 2.0