Cutting with Courage - a ReMaking Workshop with Aukje Boonstra

With Textile Artist & Designer Aukje Boonstra

Ready to take scissors to an outdated garment — and turn it into something amazing?

In this creative and hands-on workshop, renowned textile artist Aukje Boonstra will guide you through the exciting process of deconstructing and reconstructing clothing into something bold, personal, and wearable.

Using simple hand and machine sewing techniques, you’ll learn:

• How to assess what works (and what doesn’t) in a garment
• Where and how to cut with confidence
• Ways to incorporate extra materials and fabric pieces for added flair
• Finishing techniques using yarns, embroidery thread, and creative sewing machine tricks

You’ll be encouraged to take creative risks in a supportive space, reimagining clothing in ways that reflect your unique style. With Aukje’s expert guidance, cutting becomes an act of courage — and creation.

♻️ Ideal for anyone exploring sustainable fashion, slow stitching, or entering ReDressed 2026.

Bring a garment you’re ready to transform — and leave with a one-of-a-kind piece you’ll be proud to wear.

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This workshop is suitable for anyone 16 years old or over who knows how to use a sewing machine and has done some hand-stitching.

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Most of the materials and tools you need, will be supplied as part of this workshop. However, you will need to bring:

• Piece(s) of clothing you want to transform. Select a piece of clothing you like - the colour, texture, the feel, the weight. This may be something you have found in a thrift shop or something in your wardrobe you once liked but no longer wear.

You may also like to bring as an option:

• Other pieces of clothing, offcuts, lovely scraps of collected cloth /lace etc that complement the clothing you want to transform.
• Matching sewing threads, embroidery yarns, fancy knitting yarns etc

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Companion ticket

If you require a carer or support while attending your workshop, we have a special Companion Ticket for those with a Companion card. Please enter the code ReDressCompanion (all one word) to reveal this special ticket when booking your tickets.

ReGift Program

Through a Community Grant with the City of Launceston, we are pleased to offer subsidised spaces to this workshop for people on full-time pensions, unemployment benefits, hold a health care card or similar.

Interested? Please contact us directly (see below) and we'll explain how you can benefit from this program.

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Coffee and Cake while you Make

Enjoy a piping hot barista coffee or a selection of tea lattes or chilled drinks with a delicious Cake O'Clock cake kebab in either chocolate or strawberry flavours at your workshop. Select the Addd on of your choice when you book your ticket.

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Where do I go?

We're excited to be able to run our workshops face-to-face in our beautifully designed space.

The ReDress Hub is located at:

Shop 6&7, Quadrant Plaza, 94 York St, Launceston, Tasmania.

You can find us just behind Toyworld In Dell Lane or turn into Clayton's Lane form the Quadrant Mall fountain.

Super handy access to parking in the Care CarPark next door, as well as disabled parking directly across from us, with great cafes close by to fuel you up for all your workshop needs.

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What if I don't feel well?

If you have been or could have been exposed to COVID19 through travel or a close contact, please consider your attendance and or wearing a mask at the event.

If you have any symptoms and don't feel well please don't attend your workshop and get in touch with us for more details.

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More information or questions...?

For further information about The ReDress Hub please check out our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ReDressHub

Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, our best contact is [email protected] or reach out via our social media.

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We hope to see you at The ReDress Hub soon!

Aukje Boonstra Textile Artist

When Aukje’s journey in the textile arts started in the late nineties she discovered the treasures to be found in thrift shops. Ever since then she has been working with rescued materials. First it was the challenge and the fun to create something of beauty out of what other's discard. Then it became a passion to keep clothing out of landfill and raise awareness of pollution and appalling working conditions in the textile industry.

Aukje’s area of expertise is the transformation of thrift shop clothing into unique sustainable couture, hand stitching and eco-dyeing. These techniques she has been teaching in workshops and textile forums Australia-wide for over 20 years. She has been active in Eco festivals and parades of Sustainable Couture.

Aukje had three solo exhibitions and was part of many joint art shows.

Apart from transforming clothing, she makes wall hangings and wrapping cloths (Furoshiki) and more, all using recycled materials.

Aukje is based in Ulverstone at NW Coast of Tasmania

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