Learn to create your own one of a kind upcycled handbag or messenger bag using all upcycled and recycled materials. This bag workshop is designed to give you a flavour of how easy making a bag can be (and how satisfying!) if someone just shows you the ropes.

You will learn to create your pattern, put together your own fabric from scrap upholstery samples and offcuts, machine embroider your base fabric and sew you pieces together to create a one off original.

You will be given patterns to make sure that you have all that you need to continue recycling materials and making other bags at home.

This workshop is suitable for both beginners and more experienced stitchers.

Some tools, fabrics and materials will be provided. Along with a light vegetarian lunch.

What to bring:

Sewing machine serviced/in good working order - if you don't have one let me know as I have a couple you can use.
All feet (darning or free motion embroidery, as well as normal sewing foot), accessories, manual & extension table. For free motion embroidery, you will need to know how to lower, or on some models, cover the feed teeth. Please refer to your machine manual or contact your dealer,
Spare needles and extra bobbins,
Fabric for the outside of your bag or choose from mine. Fabric needs to be non stretch fabric and in total you will need about 100 x 140cm. Upholstery fabrics and samples work well. We will be piecing fabric together to create the base fabric for your bag so scraps from 10cm or so are fine.
Lining fabric in total 100 x 140cm. Old linen, silk or cotton shirts work well. Need to be non stretch. These are easy to find in op shops or maybe one from your wardrobe you no longer wear.
Any special thread you would like to try to use (machine embroidery thread will be provided),
Personal sewing kit (scissors, pins and needles)
Note book and pen
Your imagination and enthusiasm