Ruthin Craft Centre

Working in partnership with Denbighshire County Council’s Waste Management team and a local charity; with funding from the Welsh Government’s Green Recovery Circular Economy Fund.

The aim was to take donated textiles that would otherwise have to go to landfill and instead up-cycle/recycle them into useable items, for example tote bags ‘for life’.

 
Hours Banked to the project: 2145 hours. Textiles diverted away from Landfill: more than 1,000kg, Re-cycled Tote bags created: over 650.
 

“I have learnt so much with taking part in this project – not only sewing and embellishment skills, but also the value of community projects. I will never throw away old curtains or sheets again and have made bags for all my family and friends”

•

“I have learnt so much with taking part in this project – not only sewing and embellishment skills, but also the value of community projects. I will never throw away old curtains or sheets again and have made bags for all my family and friends” •

 
 

"Really enjoying the project, making re-useable fabric sandwich bags and because my sewing machine is always out, my 7 year old daughter is learning to sew using the machine too. She has made a fabric book!"

•

"Really enjoying the project, making re-useable fabric sandwich bags and because my sewing machine is always out, my 7 year old daughter is learning to sew using the machine too. She has made a fabric book!" •

 

Tutorial Films

 

"I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of this project, it got me sewing again for the first time in over 30 years! The clear instructions online and the option of attending workshops was top class. Due to work commitments, I was unable to attend all but caught up in my own time by watching the tutorials. It really gave me a sense of purpose to make bags with fabric that would have gone into landfill. It makes me think that we could all do so much more with a little bit of thought and effort"

•

"I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of this project, it got me sewing again for the first time in over 30 years! The clear instructions online and the option of attending workshops was top class. Due to work commitments, I was unable to attend all but caught up in my own time by watching the tutorials. It really gave me a sense of purpose to make bags with fabric that would have gone into landfill. It makes me think that we could all do so much more with a little bit of thought and effort" •

 

Introduction

(49 minutes)

First Project – Tote bag

(58 minutes)

 

"I’ve enjoyed being part of the project and helping to reduce the waste in a creative way. It’s been great to see the workshops and all the different ideas"

•

"I’ve enjoyed being part of the project and helping to reduce the waste in a creative way. It’s been great to see the workshops and all the different ideas" •

 
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 Workshop Films

Have a go at adding some extra design and individuality to your Tote bags by discovering different sewing and textile techniques. Tutor: Nigel Hurlstone

 

“Diolch yn fawr iawn! ‘Totally Textile!’ Today’s workshop has been so inspiring. The Textile Time Bank is such an innovative idea”

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“Diolch yn fawr iawn! ‘Totally Textile!’ Today’s workshop has been so inspiring. The Textile Time Bank is such an innovative idea” •

 

Texture & Surface
Workshop

It’s a little bit of magic, but a very simple process (constructed on the end of a wire coat hanger!!) called ‘hair pinning’. Always impressive and utilises even more recycled fabrics.

Optical Pattern Making
Workshop

Exploring set pattern on stripes to make optical patterns. Created as samples within their own right or ‘up-cycle’ and attach to your bag to make into a pocket.

Reverse Applique
Workshop

Sewing together multiple layers of cloth in patterns and then cutting back to reveal textures and colours beneath. Effects can be graphic or purely textural and can be applied to areas of the bag.

 

“Found inspirational – brilliant way of using up curtains/sheets/remnants and producing a useful product too! The machine is as awesome as the project! Light but feels heavy duty and the threading of needle invaluable for me with arthritic fingers…….I can sew again!!”

•

“Found inspirational – brilliant way of using up curtains/sheets/remnants and producing a useful product too! The machine is as awesome as the project! Light but feels heavy duty and the threading of needle invaluable for me with arthritic fingers…….I can sew again!!” •

 
 

 Image Galleries

 

Texture & Surface Workshop

 

"The idea is to make bags for individual family members, fill with presents (unwrapped) and give for Christmas/birthdays. It saves on wrapping paper and gives people a bag unique for them"

•

"The idea is to make bags for individual family members, fill with presents (unwrapped) and give for Christmas/birthdays. It saves on wrapping paper and gives people a bag unique for them" •

 

Optical Pattern Making Workshop

 

“Found inspirational – brilliant way of using up curtains/sheets/remnants and producing a useful product too! The machine is as awesome as the project! Light but feels heavy duty and the threading of needle invaluable for me with arthritic fingers…….I can sew again!!”

•

“Found inspirational – brilliant way of using up curtains/sheets/remnants and producing a useful product too! The machine is as awesome as the project! Light but feels heavy duty and the threading of needle invaluable for me with arthritic fingers…….I can sew again!!” •

 

Reverse Applique Workshop

 

“This is recharging me with sewing art creativity”

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“This is recharging me with sewing art creativity” •

 
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