From banners to bags

Recently The Edge ran a workshop series focused on sewing skills and recycling vinyl signage material. Participants were taken through a sewing induction with The Edge’s suite of sewing machines and overlocker, gaining the necessary skills to move to the next step of fashioning their own bag. 

Facilitated by the fabulous local legend, Jimmy Eng, who has been facilitating fashion and textile-based workshops and sewing inductions at The Edge since 2014. Jimmy loves working with workshop participants to achieve their goals, many of the users who come to The Edge are looking to learn new skills, pick up from where they left off in education or just looking for a collaborative space to work from with like-minded folk. 

The recycled vinyl that was used was previously the giant promotional wall at the front of the State Library building, and was cleaned and cut into smaller pieces for workshop participants to choose from. You can see the wonderful designs that have been created in the photos.

Some of the comments from our workshop attendees; 

‘Jimmy's expertise and enthusiasm were an unalloyed joy. I learnt so much (i came in as a complete novice), and can't thank you all enough.’ 

‘It’s the challenging of sewing and handling with the machine part that I do enjoy the most. But overall, it’s so fun and our instructor is very caring person that he tried his best to help.’ 

‘I liked that i got to have lot of time in the sewing machines. I went from no experience to not feeling confident enough that I could use a sewing machine with minimal supervision.’

We recently started a new initiative for those interested in gaining more skills in sewing, pattern making and textiles. Threads at The Edge is a monthly 5hr session facilitated by Jimmy where you can come along and get some advice and support for your sewing projects, and use the Open lab sewing machines if you have undertaken an induction.

Also keep an eye out on our What's on page for upcoming workshops, inductions and more.