Latest news with #sewing
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Sewing classes offered by social enterprise to empower women
One-hundred-and-fifty London women have learned to sew, thanks to a social enterprise that is geared towards empowering and upskilling women on low household incomes. Kundakala is currently offering 70 women in four London boroughs - Islington, Camden, Hackney and Lambeth - the opportunity to gain a qualification. It was founded by Poornima Kirloskar-Saini as a way for women to develop tailoring and enterprise knowledge."I thought it would be great to give them some skills so that they could look at saving money, reducing debt, and possibly looking at an avenue of income generation," she explains."But what I also realised is that some women from some ethnic minority backgrounds have very fixed traditional roles in the household unit, and the women are the main caregivers, not just for children, but for older members of the family, and the men are the main providers. "So I thought if I were to upskill them, it would be some kind of skill that they could do at home. So I thought of tailoring". Her social enterprise runs several programmes, including a "make and mend" course, and a more advanced "alterations and upcycling" class."Our main thing was to help them save money and reduce debt. But along the way, we've also had a lot of positive mental health outcomes, social integration, lifelong friendships," says the 150 women to have been part of the programme so far, 15 have taken what they've learned and started their own make products which they can then sell in local markets, or they carry out alterations and repair services. Others go into offices and workplaces to offer the alteration services, and get paid directly by customers. "We had the pandemic, then we had the cost of living, crisis, energy bills, so it just helps them feel a bit more comfortable with their financial situation," says Poornima. As well as being a way to earn an income, the sewing skills have also helped the women reduce their spending, according to Poornima."Women from ethnic minority backgrounds normally like to wear ethnic clothes for festivals, and it's really expensive to get those clothes and to alter them, because invariably, if you get them off the shelf, you know the trousers may be too long for your child. "So anecdotally, the women who've been through our programmes have told me that they've saved hundreds of pounds" One of those to have been helped by Kundakala is Maggie Oparebea who started a sewing programme two years ago and believes it has really helped her."I can do make-up bags and I sell them. I can do repairs," she says."People call me [about making alterations] then I can charge them and I have money in my pocket." Poornima says that her social enterprise is all about putting women on a path of education and empowerment - something she calls her life's work."Just getting a skill improves their self-esteem, improves their confidence. Some of the ladies who participate in our programs have had no formal learning, and this sets them on the path to getting more skills, more confidence, and therefore more self-esteem. "And then they become role models for their kids, their sons and their daughters."
BBC News
26-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bradford upcyling project is reviving clothes
In the heart of Bradford's historic former textile hub Manningham Mills, a weekly gathering of local ladies is quietly transforming lives - one stitch at a Sewcialise project brings local women together every Monday to upcycle clothes, but also to build confidence, connection, and the women breathe new life into old jackets and jeans they are also weaving bonds of friendship - caring for the planet and caring for each other at the same time."We sew and we socialise," sums up Tanu Patel, one of the directors of the project. "We have a fabric bank where we've collected fabrics that ordinarily would have gone to landfill, and women come together and make useful and interesting things out of these fabrics. And they form support networks and friendships."We are there to support them, but we are led by their creativity." Mrs Patel is no stranger to the importance of healing through social connection and creativity – both professionally and personally.A former social worker, she has worked extensively with people living with multiple challenges, while she said she discovered a love for furniture renovation while recovering from Covid."Focusing on upcycling contributed immensely to my recovery," she experience is now at the core of her work with the newly formed Yorkshire Women's Forum social enterprise, which is developing several upcycling and restoration themed Sewcialise sessions in particular have become a lifeline for many - among them Sophie Younus."I joined the group when I was going through quite an emotional time in my life and I was socially isolated," she says."I learnt a lot and met a lot of people. It really helps me with my confidence. "It grounds me, and I need that to build myself up again and just to get back out into the community." The project supports women from all backgrounds and walks of life. Some are empty-nesters, others are recovering from a variety of personal are returning to dormant heritage and craft skills they haven't used in decades, while others are picking up a needle for the first many are discovering a natural entrepreneurial project is also bringing together the generations - with the youngest regular just 16, and the oldest seamstress Riffat Akram said: "Every time I come, I get to meet new people, which is amazing."You realise that there are so many people battling with so many things in life, and you try to get things into perspective."Aifat Mahmood said the sessions gave her a chance to "get on with things that I wouldn't be able to get on with at home" and said watching others' confidence bloom was "wonderful". Gulshan Munir, one of the creative powerhouses behind the project, says her new passion for upcyling has taken over her life - and inspiration often strikes unexpectedly."Anything that I see, even people wearing clothes, I'm thinking, 'oh, that's a nice bag,' or the curtains on somebody's windows, I'm thinking, 'oh, that's a nice kaftan'." Seeing the seeds of independence and enterprise being sown is particularly heartwarming for those leading the sessions."We have one young woman who's actually now embroidering a denim jacket, which we said we'd help her sell on Etsy," Mrs Patel says."We're hoping that by the end of the year, we'll set her up in a little business.""It's also about helping many ladies reclaim their identity and purpose," she adds."Many women get lost in being mums and daughters and carers."They don't know what to do now. So when they come here and we ask them to teach us something, it makes them feel part of something again. "They come here, tell us their stories and at the end of the day, they have something tangible to take home."And they can say 'I've come here just for me, and this is my time' and that is so important." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Maine fabric, crafts shops fill the void left after retailer Joann's bankruptcy
May 18—When Jinger Howell first started her apron business, Yo Momma's Apron Strings, she'd head to Joann to wander the fabric aisles, her eyes drawn to appealing colors and patterns. As her business grew, she started buying more of her fabric online, but still relied on Joann for thread and other supplies. That will no longer be an option after this month, when all Joann stores go out of business, including the five locations in Maine. "They covered a lot of bases for people who like to do things with their hands," said Howell, who lives in Bowdoin. "The impact is huge for a lot of people." In Maine, there's no shortage of alternative options for quilters, knitters and other crafters who want to shop in person and avoid large chain retailers. Dozens of locally-owned shops across the state specialize in yarn, fabric and other supplies people need for their projects. Some Marden's stores also feature large fabric sections. The local shops, owned by people passionate about sewing or knitting, foster community in a way that larger retailers can't do. They host classes, knitting groups and opportunities for people to get together to chat while they work. Their employees are experts who can answer questions, guide shoppers to the right materials, and talk about projects. "It's really about the community. You get to know people working in the shops. They're always there to help you or just ooh and ahh over the colors with you," said Jennifer Fleck, co-owner of KnitWit, a yarn shop in Portland. After Joann, previously known as Jo-Ann Fabrics, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February, it announced that all 800 stores would close by the end of May. That includes locations in Portland, Topsham, Auburn, Waterville and Bangor. Joann had been a mainstay in the fabric and craft world for eight decades, but struggled more recently as it faced competition from online sellers and other large crafts retailers like Michaels and Hobby Lobby. Fans of the store say its lower prices on fabric made sewing more accessible to people who were just starting or didn't want to spend a lot for higher-end cottons that quilt shops often stock. And Joann's selection of apparel fabrics, minky fabric, felt and fleece fit the bill for people making costumes and blankets. Joann also stocked the basics for knitting, crocheting, embroidery and jewelry making. During the pandemic, it saw a boost of sales among people embracing a DIY lifestyle or picking up new hobbies to pass the time. "There's a pretty big subculture of crafters and knitters who make Maine their home," Fleck said. Maine has the highest rate of adults who do some kind of fiber art — weaving, crocheting, quilting, needlepoint, knitting or sewing, at 25%, according to a study published last year by the National Endowment for the Arts. "In the winter, there's not a lot to do. You can sit at home and knit," said Rosemary Libby, owner of Rosemary's Gifts and Yarn in Windham. NEW CUSTOMERS Angela Streeter, owner of The Craftin' Scot, has been shopping at Joann for more than 25 years, most often in Topsham. She often bought multiple bolts of fabric at a time to make the potholders, lap quilts, burp cloths and other items she sells locally and through her website. "Over the years, I used to go in on big sale days and come out with a cart full," she said. She got to know employees at the Topsham store who would give her a heads-up when the items she shopped for would be going on sale. As her business grew, Streeter started turning to a wholesaler to buy materials in bulk. She also started buying fabric through an online retailer that prints it to order. Since the Joann bankruptcy was announced, she has found sources for the other items she needs. But she said she'll miss being able to pop into Joann. "We've lost that spontaneity of being able to go in and shop," she said. Rosemary's Gifts and Yarn boasts that it carries the largest selection of yarn in Maine and, like many local yarn and fabric shops, Libby, the owner, already has a strong customer base. Since Joann filed for bankruptcy, Libby has seen more new customers looking for supplies and has added some items that people told her they previously bought at Joann, including notions for knitters and safety eyes for crochet animals. "I'm trying to be conscious of what they need," she said. At Past + Future Craft Exchange in Westbrook, owner Jo Bell said she is starting to carry more new merchandise "to fill in the gaps of what people would buy at Joanne, like interfacing and thread." The store, based on a creative reuse center model, largely sells supplies donated by people who no longer need them. "Our products are, for the most part, a lot cheaper than you find elsewhere," Bell said. "(Customers) think it's so cool what they can find. It's the joy of discovery — you never know what you're going to find in the shop." Vicki Pariyar, who opened Knots & Bolts Creating Co. in Sanford last June, hopes people used to shopping at Joann will find their way into local shops like hers, where they will find quilting fabric, yarn and supplies for crochet and embroidery. Pariyar has noticed more people asking for fabric for clothing and has been expanding her inventory. She's also adding the zippers and threads that customers tell her they had been buying from Joann. BUILDING COMMUNITY Fleck, owner of KnitWit, said people who haven't shopped yet in local yarn and fabric stores will find most carry higher-quality products and local options that aren't sold at chain retailers. Her shop sells a lot of yarn from local companies and dyers, which she said people tend to prefer once they switch from acrylic yarn. "I hope to see more people," Fleck said. "It's a logical next step for knitters." Quilters, knitters and other crafters will also find community at local shops that host classes and groups where people can gather to work on projects. At Yardgoods Center, a Waterville yarn and fabric shop that's been in business for more than 75 years, knitters gather twice a week to knit together for hours. In Portland, KnitWit offers classes for all skill levels and a Thursday knit night where people work together at the shop, then move to a brewery for more knitting and socializing. Pariyar, who has always loved creating in community, is trying to offer more classes at her Sanford shop to build a community within her community. She said she encourages people to sign up for classes at their local shops to connect with other people and to support small independent businesses. "You build community in that class and your stores will be able to stay open," she said. Copy the Story Link
