Community Textile Art Workshops with Lilia Cass

Join textile artist Lilia Cass for a unique collaborative textile art project exploring the creative potential of reclaimed bridal silk. Using off-cuts collected from the Lilia Cass studio, participants will learn a range of fabric manipulation and textile art techniques while creating an individual artwork that will become part of a larger collaborative installation.

This project is not about creating a finished product to take home. Instead, participants will contribute to a shared artwork that will be displayed at the Stitched Runway Fashion Show, helping to start conversations about textile waste, sustainability, creativity, and the value of materials often overlooked or discarded. Working with beautiful silk fabrics of varying weights and textures, participants will explore techniques including gathering, pleating, rosette-making, patchworking, surface cording, and hand-finishing. The final installation will combine all participant artworks into a large suspended textile piece accompanied by video documentation exploring the journey from off-cut to artwork.

No previous sewing experience is required, although basic familiarity with a sewing machine may help with Workshop One.

Participants will receive complimentary entry to the Stitched Runway Fashion Show, where the finished collaborative artwork will be unveiled.

Workshop One: Sat. 4th July – Gathered Forms & Machine Manipulation (2–3 hours): Technique Demonstrations 

• Gather bias-fabric strips down the centre to create the surface design 

• Gathering along edge for rosettes (Hand finishing required)

• Pleating and texture creation

• Demonstration of bias cording (optional)

Workshop Two: Sat. 18th July – Hand-Stitched Surfaces & Assembly (2–3 hours): Technique Demonstrations 

• Kantha stitching

• Surface cording application to create design

• Hand-finishing methods

• Joining and layering techniques

Both workshops will be held:

When: 10am - 12pm

Where: Envirohub 31B Glasgow Street, Tauranga

Exhibition: During the Re:Stitched Runway - Saturday 25th July

Where: The Cargo Shed Tauranga

Tickets: $15 - Includes both workshops. If you are unable to attend one of the sessions, please let us know.

Please advise Hannah from Envirohub at the workshop if you would like a complimentary ticket to Re:Stitched Runway as well.

Accessibility - We want everyone to feel welcome at our events, if you have any physical, sensory, or other accessibility needs, please make contact ahead of time so we can support you.
Photography - Please note that photographs and videos may be taken at our events and used on our social media and website. If you or your children do not wish to be photographed, just let a staff member or volunteer know when you arrive.
Transport - To minimise environmental impact, we encourage walking, biking, carpooling, or using public transport to attend. Please note that some venues may have limited parking available.