A group of ten young girls ages nine to thirteen participate in a workshop on clothing upcycling at the Acropolis in Megen, showcasing their creativity and commitment to sustainability.
On a bustling Saturday morning at the Acropolis in Megen, a group of ten young girls, aged nine to thirteen, are immersed in the art of clothing upcycling. The scene unfolds on the first floor, where racks of clothing and sewing machines fill a room dedicated to creativity and sustainability.
Eleven-year-old Robin Keijzer, the main organizer of the workshop, expressed her passion for sewing, saying, “I take sewing classes myself because I really enjoy making new clothes.” This enthusiasm sparked her idea to share the experience with others. After discussing the initiative with her sewing teacher, Eveline Hunsche, she proposed a clothing upcycling workshop that would also include a clothing exchange. “My mom suggested also exchanging clothes,” Robin noted, prompting her to ask participants to bring along old garments.
The room is filled with various stacks of children’s clothing, a testament to the collaborative spirit of the event. Robin, who believes in the environmental benefits of reusing fabrics, showcased a pair of shorts she had personalized. “It’s better for the environment to reuse clothing. And I’m doing that now with these pants,” she said, displaying her creation adorned with yellow lace edges. “Nice, right?”
Among the participants, thirteen-year-old Jenske Schuurkes is dedicated to perfecting her project at the sewing machine. While focused on her task, she remarked on the complexities of sewing, stating, “I just shortened these pants to make jorts,” referring to the trendy jean shorts. Jenske is incorporating elements from another pair of pants into her design, which reflects both her creativity and current fashion trends.
Eveline Hunsche, the workshop’s sewing teacher, specializes in working with children and finds her role rewarding. “It’s really fun to work with a young audience. They are genuinely there to learn, not just to chat,” Hunsche remarked. The girls’ full attention is evident as they engage in the process of upcycling.
Hunsche also acknowledged the challenges of maintaining focus among younger students. “The tricky part is sometimes that children have little concentration. I’ve also taught children with ADHD. But once they get started sewing, a sort of zen moment occurs,” she explained, highlighting the transformative nature of working with fabric.
Young Sofia, who is just nine years old, approached her teacher for assistance with ironing. Hunsche, who has been teaching Sofia for a year, reassured that her presence ensures safety when operating the sewing machines. “Isn’t it dangerous for her to be so young and already using a sewing machine? Well, what is dangerous? I’m always present,” Hunsche asserted, emphasizing her commitment to guiding the young learners. For tasks like ironing, she takes responsibility to maintain a safe environment while allowing the girls to explore their crafting skills.
Source: Noah Wire Services
