Design Practice | Upcycling with Mahdiyyah Muhammad

Build your design toolkit! Design Practice is a series of free, drop-in workshops for high school students exploring techniques, strategies, and careers in design. No prior experience required—just bring yourself and a creative mindset. This month, join us for a workshop with upcycle textile artist Mahdiyyah Muhammad. Participants will use old t-shirts and transform it into something new and functional—a tote bag!  No previous experience or sewing will be required.  

Design Practice is developed for teens only, no adults are permitted.

Known as the “Fabric Alchemist,” Mahdiyyah Muhammad is an upcycle textile artist, regenerative fashion instructor, and textile waste consultant. Using ancestral skills, she alchemizes discarded cotton, linen, and other natural materials into functional garments and textile art, focusing on post-consumer waste mitigation and regenerative design. Her work considers the life cycle of clothing and the health of its wearer, while her research highlights the impact of extractive textile systems on communities that have historically been and presently continue to be perpetually drained of resources without replenishment or equitable compensation. 

Program Length: 2 hours. Please join us any time between 4:30-5:15 so you have enough time to enjoy the event!
Interactivity Level: High. Participants will create a tote bag using old t-shirts.
Intended Audience: High school students ages 13-18.

Design Practice is developed for teens only, no adults are permitted.

Format: This in-person program will be a hands-on design drop-in workshop (stay for as little or as much time as you like). No previous design experience is required. All materials are included.

About the space: This program will take place in Cooper Hewitt’s Lecture Room on the ground floor of the museum, as well as in the galleries. It is fully wheelchair accessible. In the Lecture Room, there will be group seating at tables. There is an accessible restroom on the same floor. Read more about accessibility at Cooper Hewitt.

Accommodations: If we can provide services to support your participation, email us at [email protected]. Please make your request as far in advance as possible—preferably at least ten days before the program date.

Design learning at Cooper Hewitt is made possible by The Pinkerton Foundation, The Richard and Jean Coyne Family Foundation, The Hirsch Family Foundation, PwC Charitable Foundation, The Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, internal Smithsonian Institution funds from the Youth Access Grants for Youth Innovation in Rural America, and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Info: Check in for Design Practice in the lobby of the museum. You may arrive at any time, but arriving before 5 p.m. will ensure that you will have enough time to finish your project.

Info: Our guest designer, Mahdiyyah Muhammad, will teach us how to turn an old t-shirt into something new and functional - a tote bag!

Host or Publisher Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum