What are we wearing? Children's Workshop
18 February – 19 February 2022
Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Edinburgh
£10
Maija Nygren aka Almaborealis at work
From field to wardrobe, explore the origins of everyday clothing and transform discarded clothing into wearable art. For children aged six years and older.
Almaborealis presents a construction workshop for children aged six years and older. Come on a journey of discovery that explores the origin stories of everyday clothing, from farm to field and the adventures in between. Equipped with new construction skills, you’ll transform discarded clothing into imaginative new wearables!
There is something ‘topsy turvy’ about the fashion industry. Once considered a tool for democracy, nowadays fast fashion is one of the biggest threats to our planet. As brands over-produce and people over-consume, future generations are losing their chance to learn about textiles and gain repair skills.
The workshop will begin with a playful investigation into our clothing, a little like archaeology! We will examine garment labels, material choices, and where our clothes come from.
Next, we will dismantle our old clothes and figure out what shapes, techniques and materials have been used in their construction. We’ll also create mapped journeys of our clothing, imagining the route the fibres have taken from first being spun into yarn, turned into fabric, then cut, sewn and sold
Finally using a hand-sewing needle and thread we will puzzle together the 2D geometric shapes into several, unique 3D garments.
The weekend workshop will conclude with an exhibition, a ‘show and tell’ of what was found, what was created and what will be done next!
Please come to the workshop equipped with:
- Old clothes, preferably jersey (t-shirt and legging type material, with a little stretch is best)
- A snack and drink
Plan your visit:
Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny St, Edinburgh, EH6 8RG
The workshop will take place on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 February, from 1-4.30pm.
£10 per person and advance booking is essential.
For more information, please visit almaborealis.com or email maija@almaborealis.com
About Almaborealis
Almaborealis is the brainchild of Maija Nygren. Maija grew up in Finland surrounded by innovative and resourceful craft that was made to endure cold weather and designed to last a lifetime. Material intelligence and the re-use of objects was a necessity to Maija’s grandparents, whom she spent a great length of time with. Maija’s early career was spent in theatre wardrobes but she needed to know more; where textiles come from and who makes them. Maija set up her company Almaborealis in Edinburgh, where today she shares craft skills, aims to inspire new makers, designs wearable puzzles, and continues to learn about the world.
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