The Sewing Room

Thank you to everyone who registered their interest for an evening with Bronwyn Darlington. The response was incredible, it was exciting to see that so many people are passionate about sustainable fashion. I can forsee that this will be one of many forums to be held at The Sewing Room.

Bronwyn provides advice to textile and clothing or other companies on creating ethical and sustainable clothing lines including supply chain design and advice and certifications such as Fair Trade, Carbon Neutral, Carbon offset, Organic Ethical Clothing Australia (formerly ‘No Sweatshop’) and Australian Made.
Bronwyn Darlington, (B.A., M.A) has worked extensively in fashion manufacturing. This has been in both internal and consulting capacities with sustainability as a core focus. Her presentation at this forum will be a consideration of how we can apply social, environmental and cultural benefits to the fashion and textile industry. In addition to setting up Darlington Consulting, she was founder of Rise Up Productions and until recently served as a member of the Australian Government’s Textile Clothing and Footwear (TCF) Industry Innovation Council.
This evening would be of interest to Designers, Manufacturers and anyone interested in the ethical manufacturing of clothing.
The schedule
Best to arrive between 5.30 and 6.15pm with Bronwyns talks to begin at 6.30pm and to conclude at 8pm to allow for the opportunity to participate in general discussion. The Forum fee is $45 per person.

This is such a goovy way of  recycling an old woollen sweater, so pull out of your wardrobe one of the woollen jumpers you haven’t woren in years or visit your local op-shop and be prepared to rub and scrub.

Using felting techniques, one of the oldest forms of fabric known to man I created the fabric to make this bag. Once the sweater has dried and armed with a pair of scissors and loads of confidence I transformed this sweater into a chic new bag. I used very simple sewing skills and a touch of applique and embroidery to give my bag a personal touch. I love it and it was loads of fun.

May GreenUps is being held at The Fashion & Textile Gallery. GreenUps is for people with an interest , passion or concern for the environment and sustainability. No matter what your profession. GreenUps is about creating connections across a range of different sectors. Whether you work in business, science, education, design, the media, the arts, the law, government, NGO’s, IT, you name it. We’d like to hear over a beer what you’re doing. Or what you think should be happening in Sydney or in your area of work when it comes to sustainability. update! This time round we’re drinking and thinking about what you’re wearing – with a clothing exchange and some excellent speakers on sustainable clothing and fashion.
The speakers at this Tuesday’s event are:

- Kirsten Fredericks and Suzi Edmonds from The Clothing Exchange
- Paula Rogers from the Fair Trading Co.
- Samorn Sanixay from Eastern Weft Weaving Collective
- Bronwyn Darlington from Minimal Footprint
- Penelope Leonard from The Sewing Room
With only 5 minutes each the speeches are short and snappy.
The schedule

Best to arrive between 5.30 and 6.15pm. Check in 4 items of quality clothes. You’ll receive a button for each item which will be your currency to swap for a quality garment from another GreenUpper.
Whilst our friends from The Clothing Exchange are doing the sorting, have a drink in the forecourt or sneak up and have a look at the Fashion Gallery on Level 7.
Talks are at 6.30pm. The Clothing Exchange then starts at 7pm on Level 1 in ‘The Sewing Room’.
The entry fee

It’s $10 per person.
The fee gives you the opportunity to participate in the exchange, plus a beer or wine on entry, as well as finger food through the night.
About the Clothing Exchange
What is it?
A wardrobe update that won’t burn a hole in your pockets! Bring along your quality (not grotty) oldies for someone else’s newies. T-shirts, jackets, jeans, skirts, shoes … bring ‘em along.
Not only will you breathe life into your wardrobe, you’ll be doing your little bit for the Earth by not sending your old threads to landfill.
How does it work?

Drop off your clothes and receive a button – this is your currency in the land of The Exchange.
The Exchange team then check out the clothes. (Poor quality isn’t accepted, so you’re better off relegating unwearable items to a Vinnies run or the rags basket.) Go get yourself a drink while the clothes are being sorted.
Then … you enter the Exchange abyss; with racks full of wonderful vintage gems, perfect pair of jeans, dresses, t-shirts and more. Sift through, pick the ones you like and ‘purchase’ them for a button and a smile – bargain!
Why it’s good

Australians spend billions of dollars on clothes each year. Is a lot of it wasted? Ah, yep, could be. The Clothing Exchange is a form of environmental activism that’s lively, fun and gets people going through the simple act of sharing.