Are you handy with a sewing machine, a pair of scissors or a needle and thread? If so I would like to invite you to join a Glebe Society Community sponsored sewing and craft group, which we are commencing in late October.

What will this group do? Initially the objective is to gather with like-minded sewers to make reusable bags from left-over materials. The bags will need to be large enough to carry a quantity of groceries because we intend to give them to the Asylum Seekers Centre (ASC) at Newtown for their clients. When people go to the ASC to access their food bank they need to carry the goods home. Until recently the ASC was giving clients donated plastic bags to carry home but now, with the need to reduce waste, and particularly single use plastic bags, reusable bags are replacing them. Rather than encourage the purchase of supermarkets’ reusable plastic bags we consider that the gift of fabric reusable bags will assist both ASC clients and the environment.

A reusable bag of the type to be made at ‘Sewing for Good’ (image: Janice Challinor)

Where will the group meet? We will meet in the Aboriginal cultural space at Glebe Town Hall, St Johns Rd, Glebe.

When will sewing days take place? The first meeting will be on Friday 26 October from 10am until 12 noon. Second and subsequent meetings will take place at the same venue and same time on the second and fourth Friday morning of the month. A booking has already been made for Friday 9 November, and further bookings will be made when we are able to ascertain the level of interest and the attendance potential of this project.

What will you need to bring if you intend to join us? Your willingness to participate is the most important contribution you can make! However, if you have any of the following; a portable sewing machine, some strong pieces of material suitable for re-use, e.g. old jeans, sheeting etc, sewing scissors, sewing pins and sewing thread bring these too.

Oh, and don’t forget your keep-cup for a cuppa, and maybe something edible to share.

Is there a cost? There is no charge for the venue or your attendance; let’s just meet and sew. If needed, a gold-coin donation to purchase material from Reverse Garbage for further working bees may be requested, but we’d rather use up those unused metres of fabric languishing in people’s cupboards.

Other arrangements? A volunteer who has experience in bag-making will be in attendance to help demonstrate and co-ordinate the process. No other experience is necessary, but if you’ve already worked with Boomerang Bags bring along your pattern or experience gained to help us too.

Are bookings necessary? You do not need to book, however if you’d like to text, email or phone me to discuss the project or indicate your willingness to engage in it, I’d be delighted to hear from you. Contact me on 0401 505 657 or community@glebesociety.org.au