We’re not Going Shopping: a Queer DIY Clothing Workshop

A hands-on workshop designed for those who struggle to find or afford gender-affirming clothing off the rack. Learn techniques to tailor and customise your clothes to make them more you.

Join Drew and Bite Risk for a presentation on basic tailoring techniques to adjust clothing fit, and creative customisation options such as stencilling, embellishments etc. followed by the opportunity to put these techniques into practice with the support of our facilitators. 

Materials will be available to adjust and customise your clothes. There will be several sewing machines to share between attendees, but hand sewing techniques will also be taught. Bring an item of clothing with you to work on, or use the supplies provided to make some patches/ accessories to add to clothes later on at home.

This event is part of Common Threads Festival, a weaving and arts festival happening in Sheffield city centre from 9 - 12 September 2026 and produced by The Bare Project.

Stay after the session and join us for a Pay What You Can home cooked meal served from 1- 2pm.

Ticket Info: Common Threads Festival activities are offered for free to ensure everyone can access this project. However, if you are able, please book a £5 ticket so that the free tickets are allocated to those who need them.

If you would like to add a donation to The Bare Project, please add a 'donation' to your order. This allows us to provide free tickets for our community partners and those who otherwise would not be able to access our events.

About the Facilitator

Drew is a queer community organiser who runs the monthly Peak Queer Adventures craft group at Gut Level. They have an eclectic craft practice including knitting, crochet and sewing going back more than 20 years. They have been teaching these craft skills to a range of age groups and audiences for over a decade.

Access

This is a seated event that takes place indoors in a venue with step free access. Sewing machines will be provided, but hand sewing is also on offer.

• Common Threads Festival happens at the bottom of The Moor, near the Moorfoot building in Sheffield city centre.
• The festival happens outside so please dress for the weather. In severe weather conditions we will move inside the Aafly building at 108 The Moor.
• The street has paving and step free access.
• The installation has a small raised stage with ramp access surrounded by tall looms to weave onto.
• There will be some seating available at all workshops and performances.
• The nearest public toilets are in The Moor Market (approx 300 meters away).
• There will be a prayer space available on site.

For further information about Access or How to Find Us see our Access Page on The Bare Project website.

About Common Threads

Common Threads is an international weaving project which invites women and marginalised genders to take up space in Sheffield city centre. It has been created by The Bare Project in collaboration with the Higsad Alool Weavers, Re-Water; SunRit Culture Group; the Manor Weavers & other textile groups from across Sheffield.

is a theatre and interactive arts organisation based in Sheffield who work both locally and internationally. The Bare Project create ambitious and galvanising artistic experiences for audiences, rooted in big ideas and in-depth research. They often co-create these experiences with communities of place or shared characteristics.

Common Threads Festival has been made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players we are able to offer all activities with no or low cost. The festival is also supported with funding from Heritage Crafts UK and Sheffield Council.