Make What You Wear: A Slow Fashion Sewing Series for Teens, AUTUMN

A Slow Fashion Sewing Series for Teens

Want to learn how to make your own clothes—and love wearing them?

At The ReDress Hub, sewing is about more than just stitching fabric together. It’s about learning real-life skills, caring for what you own, and feeling proud of what you create.

This fun and supportive six-week after-school program is perfect for teens who are new to sewing or want to grow their confidence. Step by step, students will learn the details of using a sewing machine, understand patterns, and make a garment they can proudly wear and look after. For students who already know the basics, this program helps them build confidence with sewing machines, learn to read patterns, and make something they’ll be proud to wear.

Along the way, they’ll also learn about slow fashion and sustainability—how making and caring for clothes helps reduce waste and protect the planet.

Sessions are led by experienced textile educator and maker Alicen Kaye, who creates a relaxed, friendly space where students can learn at their own pace, ask questions, practise skills, and build confidence.

This program is ideal for teens who:
🧵 Enjoy hands-on, creative activities
👕 Are interested in fashion and design
🌱 Care about the environment
✨ Want practical skills they can use for life

When: Thursdays, 4:00–6:00 pm
Duration: 6 weeks (2 hours per session)
Suitable for: Beginner teen sewists (high school age)

***

This workshop is suitable for all young beginners in years 7-12 of high-school who know the basics of using a sewing machine (ie threading the machine, sewing in a straight line) and basic hand stitching.

If you haven't used a sewing machine before, please attend one of our free, Understanding your Sewing Machine workshops we hold regularly. See here for details: Understanding your sewing machine .

We also have some single-session beginner sewing workshops to practice skills - see our Beginner Collection for current workshops.

If you have children aged 8+ and not yet in year 7 who are also interested in these workshops, we will be offering a series soon especially for this age group. So please stay tuned to learn when this will be happening.

****

We have selected patterns suitable for beginners for you to start learning the skills of sewing your own garments.

You can choose between making a stylish pair of elastic-waisted pants a tiered skirt, or a ruffle top(scroll down to see pictures). If you identify as male and would like something more gender-specific for you please let us know.

***

Choose the first date of the Series and book selecting the Series Workshop ticket.

Installment payments

We also offer you the flexibility of a payment instalment package so you don't have to pay the full amount up front. If this suits you, please reserve your place by selecting the Instalment Plan Reserve Ticket and to make future instalment payments, select the appropriate payments in the Add-ons section.

Full payment must be made before the start of the series.

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.

Through a Community Grant with the City of Launceston, we are pleased to be able to offer subsidised spaces to this workshop series 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 also be a part of this program.

****

We’ll supply all materials, patterns, and equipment (including sewing machines)—you just need to bring:

• Fabric (we’ll look at this with you in the first workshop)
• Matching thread – choose good quality (e.g. Guttermann)

• Dressmaker’s scissors (to finish cutting at home after Week 1)
• Dressmaking pins

An upcycled notebook will be provided for note-taking.

• We recommend starting with inexpensive, upcycled, or remnant fabric (doona covers work brilliantly for woven fabrics!).
• The ReDress Hub has a wide range of affordable remnant fabrics ($3.50–$8/m), with an extra 50% discount for participants.

You’ll need basic sewing machine skills. If you’re new, attend one of our free workshops before starting.

We provide machines, but you’re welcome to bring your own—just let us know in advance.

***

We're excited to be able to run our workshop face-to-face in beautifully designed new workshop space at The ReDress Hub

The ReDress Hub is located at:

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

You can find us just behind Toyworld :) or up Clayton Lane from the fountain in the Quadrant Mall.

Super handy access to parking in the Care CarPark next door, with great cafes close by to fuel you up for all your workshop needs.

****

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.

****

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.

****

We hope to see you at The ReDress Hub soon!

These are two of the patterns you can choose from to make. The third is below. If you identify as male and would like something more gender specific for you please let us know.

Alicen is a textile artist and experienced high school textiles and art teacher who loves helping young people learn to sew. She teaches in small groups where students can build practical skills, try new techniques, and grow their confidence in a supportive and relaxed environment.
With a strong focus on sustainable sewing, Alicen works with natural and recycled fabrics and enjoys mending and up-cycling. Through her connection with The ReDress Hub, she is passionate about sharing sewing as a creative, useful life skill.

Info: An introduction to sewing patterns and fabric choices.
Participants will learn how to: Read a pattern envelope and instruction sheet; Understand sizing, symbols, and pattern markings; Take accurate body measurements for sewing garments; Trace patterns for future use; Explore different fabric types and their uses; Make thoughtful fabric choices with sustainability in mind; Select suitable tools for sewing
Note: Participants will need to purchase fabric suitable for their project before the next session. Upcycled and remnant fabrics from The ReDress Hub are available.

Info: This session focuses on careful preparation — a key part of slow fashion. Participants will learn how to: Lay out and pin pattern pieces correctly; Mark pattern details accurately; Cut fabric safely and neatly. Note: Participants will work with their chosen fabrics.

Info: Participants begin sewing and practising essential construction skills, including: Adjusting sewing machine settings; Using a sewing machine safely and confidently; Pinning pieces accurately for seam control; Sewing straight seams using a machine. The focus is on understanding how and why these techniques are used, rather than working quickly.

Info: Participants continue developing their machine-sewing skills and learn how pieces come together, including: Sewing and finishing seams; Understanding garment shape and structure; Guided practice with more complex construction steps. Participants will begin to see how flat fabric becomes a wearable form.

Info: Participants will continue sewing and learn finishing methods such as: Hemming techniques; Fitting adjustments; Finishing details. This session encourages patience, problem-solving, and pride in careful workmanship.

Info: In the final session, participants will: Complete remaining construction and finishing steps; Learn how to check and refine their work; Reflect on the skills they’ve learned and how they can use them in future projects; Explore how sewing connects to a more sustainable approach to fashion.
The aim is for participants to leave feeling capable, inspired, and confident to keep sewing beyond the workshop. A small extension sewing project will be available for students who finish early.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher The ReDress Hub