A GREEN-FINGERED group has swapped sowing for sewing during the winter months.
The gardening group at Craigend Resource Centre spend their springs and summers working outdoors – but over the winter the team have traded their trowels and spades for needles and thread as part of an upcycling initiative.
Alice Paul, who works with Inverclyde Food Network and runs the gardening group, decided to ask its members to bring in old clothes over the colder months which could be turned into new crafty creations.
Jane, Alice and Margaret are sewing buddies at upcycling class (Image: George Munro)
Margaret stitches away (Image: George Munro)
Alice said: “We’ve been saying how much more expensive clothes are getting in the shops.
“Everywhere is getting more expensive, even in Primark and in some of the other shops you cannot even afford the sale items, so we decided to do something ourselves.
“It’s been a great wee group.”
Jane shows off her bags (Image: George Munro)
The thrifty team bring in clothes from home they want to upcycle and work together to turn them into new items such as tote bags and tablecloths.
Alice said: “We’ve brought in dresses, jackets and some denims.
“We’re making bags and children’s aprons. We’re also making table clothes and napkins from curtains that were donated.”
Mum Jane Joyce, who has been taking part in the group, admitted it took her some time to get to grips with the group’s new crafty direction, but said she had enjoyed learning new skills.
The 52-year-old said: “I couldn’t thread a needle before or work a sewing machine.
“Now I can thread up a machine and help fix other sewing machines.
“I’m the bag lady. I love making bags. My boy’s got no Levi’s jeans left.
“I wouldn’t have dreamt of coming into a group like this before. I’m suffering from the menopause and mental health, and I find it very calming.
“Someone even gave me a sewing machine. I know everyone here now. People are so nice getting to know new people. I would encourage people to come along.”
Final touches to an apron (Image: George Munro)
The final touches to an apron (Image: George Munro)
Hand made bags created by the group (Image: George Munro)
Alice wants to thank centre manager Brian Power for providing the group with a room to work in free-of-charge.
Brian will continue to help the group when Alice retires from her position at the food network in March and she will carry on volunteering with the group.
Alice is appealing to the community to donate any old tartan clothing as it is an expensive material, so they can use it as turn ups on trousers and jeans.
Hand made bags created by the group (Image: George Munro)
Group member Margaret Johnstone, 89, said: “This is my third time coming along. I enjoy the company. It gives me something to do.
“You can take your time, there is no rush.”
Fellow participant Anne McKay, 66, said: “I started coming a year ago. I started out in the garden, then we came inside to do a bit of crafting.
“I’d sewed a wee bit before. It gets me out of the house.”
Alice says it’s been lovely to see the group grow in confidence.
She said: “The fact that Jane has never sewn before and comes in here with all these projects is phenomenal.
“Anne is very skilful in cutting out and ironing, everyone has their own wee niche.
“Margaret’s a wee godsend – she loves embroidery – sometimes we have eight people in this wee space.”
Alice stresses the main thrust of the project is to reduce waste going to landfill and by upcycling clothing the group hope to do their bit to help save the planet.
Some of the goods they make are sold in the centre and the group hope in the future to have a stall and also take items to community events.
Alice is appealing for anyone who has a working sewing machine to donate it to the project.
The group meet every Tuesday between noon and 2pm and is open to anyone who wishes to take part.
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