To all our wonderful volunteers, sewing class participants, supporters and followers. An update on what’s happening…

Our Great Sewing workroom

We now have a great setup thanks to all the many donations, hard work from volunteers, funding received etc.

We boast 8 new sewing machines and an overlocker which have been fantastic for our Learn to Sew classes. We also have 3 donated Industrial Machines.

Our “FABRI-GATOR” is now here and being used to convert fabric scraps and waste into useful fill. (Currently being used for bolsters and cushions). Thanks to many generous donations we now have our shelves stocked with fabric, sewing thread, notions etc.

Sewing Classes

Sue and Claire have run some wonderful evening classes for sewing a shirt and pattern making that have been well attended. A big thank you to the volunteers that also helped out to make this happen.

We are keen to get more classes and workshops off the ground - daytime and evening. There’s lots of time spaces available in the workroom so if you think you could run one let us know. If you are happy to help with classes maybe we can match some people up to run some jointly. Email us with ideas and times that would suit. Can you run a class/ Workshop? Please talk to us.

Volunteer Days - TUESDAYS

This is when we do projects to help fund raise for our workshop. The money we raise helps us keep the machines maintained, buy any essential resources, help with the running costs of the Workshop.

We aim to use the wonderful resources we have been donated, help rescue fabric from going to landfill and make items that we can sell. Last year we were lucky enough to get some funds to make the beautiful bird costumes for WaiWanaka, we made the bags for the Corn Hole games the workshop were making, plus we have been recycling towels into dishrags that we resell at Wastebusters. We also made a set of pincushions for use in our workroom.

Our current projects are

1. Dish Rags - we cut up towels and overlock
2. Yoga Bolsters - the patterns are already done, some will already be cut out, some ready to be filled, some just needing the covers to be made… You could even buy a bolster inner already made and come and make your own cover!
3. Hair ties - using up smaller fabric pieces!
4. Door draft stops - another use for our fabric fill!
5. Footstool poofs -this is in draft mode - and experiment that will include cushioning and upholstery!
6. Shredding fabric - an enjoyable activity turning the unusable fabric pieces into something usable.

Plus we are collecting ideas for new projects for the next few months. If you have some ideas that can use the donated fabrics, come and share a design and share your skills with others.

We need you!!! Tuesdays - all day? Part day? An hour or two?

We hope to build a group of people to come regularly and enjoy some social time helping with the projects. We will always be able to cater for any level of sewing. We have decided to just start with Tuesdays until we can build up our ’team’ but will be open all day so pop in any time and stay as suits- All day or for just an hour or two. One of us will be there to run the session.

(PS. We would love some more volunteers to fill in when necessary to run sessions)

The Wood Workshop

The Wood Working Shop also has volunteer days Tuesday and Thursday mornings. So plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Fabricate Online

Website: we had our own temporary website but will be slowly integrating this with the Wānaka Community Workshop page - this one is updated to include us. The website has an online shop - This is where you will find some of the products the workshop has available for purchase. Our bolsters are on here!

You find the Wanaka Community Workshop on www.wanakacommunityworkshop.org.nz or Facebook. We have our own Fabricate Facebook page as well.

Membership

Did you know your membership gives you access to the full workshop? You can help out or do projects in either area and it only costs $50 per year. We have lots of members keen to learn new skills if you can help run a workshop in either area.

Wishlist & Donations

The workshop has been fortunate to receive some funding under the ‘Waste Minimisation Fund’ and the generous donations of items from the community however we have ongoing costs and always a number of items on the wish list. Please consider us when you cleaning out.

The sewing room will always take fabric, sewing notions, sewing machines, overlockers, craft tools, etc. We are still in need of a better vacuum cleaner, left handed sewing scissors, fabric marking pens, etc The Workshop is keen on tools, nails, screws, etc

Please come, please get in touch, please let us know what you are keen to get involved in.

See you there Tuesdays or email fabricate@wcw.org.nz or email email@wcw.org.nz

Thank you

Estelle, Sue, Claire