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

Learning how to sew your own slow fashion clothes with Alicen Kaye

Make What You Wear

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)

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Who is this workshop for?

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.

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What am I going to make?

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.

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How do I book?

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.

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 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.

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What do I bring?

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)

Optional but helpful:

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

An upcycled notebook will be provided for note-taking.

Fabric Guidelines

• 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.

Sewing Machine Use

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

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

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Where do I go?

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.

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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 redress.circularclothing@gmail.com or reach out via our social media.

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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.