Sustainable Sewing & Upcycling
Reimagine your wardrobe and sew more sustainably in this hands-on Sustainable Sewing & Upcycling course in Sydney. Instead of letting fabric scraps, unworn clothes, or unfinished projects go to waste, bring them along and transform them into something new and practical.
Across four sessions, you’ll explore how to deconstruct garments, work with reclaimed materials, and design original pieces using techniques such as patchworking, appliqué, and fabric manipulation. You’ll gain confidence combining limited or irregular fabrics, planning projects thoughtfully, and making creative design decisions with sustainability in mind.
You’ll complete at least two original upcycled projects—such as turning old jeans into a tote bag or transforming fabric scraps into a cushion cover or wall hanging—while developing resourceful sewing habits you can continue at home.
Course Outline
- Understanding upcycling, recycling and downcycling, and identifying reusable textiles
- Deconstructing garments to recover fabric, trims and stabilisers
- Designing and completing multiple upcycled projects using patchwork, appliqué and zero-waste strategies
Schedule & Pricing
- 4 sessions, 6:00pm–9:00pm
- Course fee: $309
- Class size limited to 12 participants
Accessibility
- Class held in an upper-level room accessible by stairs only (lift currently out of service)
- Please wear closed-toe shoes for safety
Details
You will learn
- Identify and repurpose textiles suitable for upcycling
- Deconstruct garments to recover usable fabrics and trims
- Design and complete original projects using sustainable sewing techniques
You will get
- Expert guidance from an experienced sewing tutor
- Hands-on practice across four structured sessions
- Creative skills to continue upcycling projects at home
Appropriate for
Confident beginners with basic sewing skills interested in sustainable fashion and creative projects.
Preparation
What to bring
- Old garments, fabric scraps and trims for upcycling
- Basic sewing kit including thread, needles and scissors
- Sewing machine (optional, machines available in class)
What to wear
Closed-toe shoes required
Your Teacher
Sydney Community College
Sydney Community College is a registered charity with a voluntary Board of Directors.
The College has a mission to offer innovative continuing adult education and training programmes that support individual efforts and facilitate sustainable social change.
We do this by:
- Providing quality continuing adult education opportunities for people to build practical and theoretical skills and develop knowledge;
- Leveraging from and developing community capacity and inclusivity;
- Developing innovative affordable and accessible skills training programmes;
- Partnering with like organisations to deliver learning opportunities for disadvantaged individuals and communities;
- Partnering with all levels of government to deliver education policy objectives.
Cancellations & Refunds
If the organiser cancels the class:
You are entitled to a full refund.
If you can't attend the class:
You’re welcome to send someone in your place.
OR
- A refund can be requested 10 days before class starts. An admin fee of AU$45.00 applies.
Terms & Conditions
At Sydney Community College, we know that plans can change unexpectedly. Whether it’s a shift in your schedule, a family emergency, or just a change of heart, we want to support you in the fairest way possible.
At the same time, we’re a not-for-profit organisation that commits resources to running each class—so last-minute cancellations can significantly impact our ability to offer quality, affordable programs.
That’s why we’ve created a simple, transparent policy that balances your need for flexibility with our need to plan and deliver courses sustainably. Our cancellation policy offers two clear options, depending on when you notify us:
Cancel More Than 10 Days Before the Course Starts – You can choose to receive a full refund, minus a $45 administration fee OR a non-refundable credit note valid for 12 months for the full value you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Option 2: Cancel Within 10 Days of the Course Starting - You’ll receive a credit note valid for 12 months for 50% of the course fee you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Please note that both refund and credit options are only available before the course begins. Once the course has started—or if you decide to withdraw after it has commenced—no refunds or credits can be issued. If you need to cancel your enrolment, just email us and we’ll take care of it based on the timelines above.
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Sustainable Sewing & Upcycling
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