ReGenerational Repair Certificate Seed Program
A 2024 collaboration between The High School of Fashion Industries and Repair Shop, generously funded by the Culture of Repair Project.
Cultivating a multi-generational after school program between fashion-focused high school students and NYC’s fashion industry experts and Garment District workers to share vanishing couture repair and alteration skills to generate a more sustainable fashion future across generations.
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INTENTION + IMPACT —
Apparel and accessory repair knowledge, skills and techniques face extinction as older fashion craftspeople retire. It is essential to instill this vanishing knowledge in the next generation of designers. This program provided access to repair skills and tools to counter fast fashion and lead to sustainable consumption habits, new systems thinking and more thoughtful designs in the future that can be shared beyond the walls of the school.
COLLABORATION CONTEXT —
The High School of Fashion Industries (HSFI) is a Career and Technical Education (CTE) High School in Manhattan. Each student is enrolled in coursework related to one of the six offered majors: Fashion Design, Visual Merchandising, Fashion Marketing & Management, Art & Design, Photography and Software Development. Repair Shop is a research and learning studio investigating maintenance, craft, and design, focused on inclusive knowledge-sharing. With HSFI’s intention to extend their existing sustainability curriculum into repair workshops, both teams entered this partnership with a shared set of values, objectives, and combined expertise as educators, makers, and environmental justice advocates to empower students to rethink their relationship to what they own and what they will create in the future.
THE TEAM —
From HSFI:
REPAIR WORKSHOP SERIES —
The cornerstone of our initiative were six 2-hour workshops on the fashion industry’s repair needs using couture hand skills. Each workshop was designed and planned by Repair Shop with a fashion industry expert, and facilitated by the expert with support from our team. Workshops took place at HSFI with up to 12 students. Below is documentation of the workshops along with a ✨️Repair Workshop Reference Collection✨️ for public educational use.
SPECIAL THANKS —
This idea formed through conversations with Laura Novich of Hyloh while investigating the NYC repair landscape together, Tessa Mafucci of the New York Fashion Workforce Development Coalition who mentioned the criticality of the Garment District’s vanishing knowledge, and Vita Wells of The Culture of Repair Project who embraced our vision.
Cultivating a multi-generational after school program between fashion-focused high school students and NYC’s fashion industry experts and Garment District workers to share vanishing couture repair and alteration skills to generate a more sustainable fashion future across generations.
INTENTION + IMPACT —
Apparel and accessory repair knowledge, skills and techniques face extinction as older fashion craftspeople retire. It is essential to instill this vanishing knowledge in the next generation of designers. This program provided access to repair skills and tools to counter fast fashion and lead to sustainable consumption habits, new systems thinking and more thoughtful designs in the future that can be shared beyond the walls of the school.
COLLABORATION CONTEXT —
The High School of Fashion Industries (HSFI) is a Career and Technical Education (CTE) High School in Manhattan. Each student is enrolled in coursework related to one of the six offered majors: Fashion Design, Visual Merchandising, Fashion Marketing & Management, Art & Design, Photography and Software Development. Repair Shop is a research and learning studio investigating maintenance, craft, and design, focused on inclusive knowledge-sharing. With HSFI’s intention to extend their existing sustainability curriculum into repair workshops, both teams entered this partnership with a shared set of values, objectives, and combined expertise as educators, makers, and environmental justice advocates to empower students to rethink their relationship to what they own and what they will create in the future.
THE TEAM —
From HSFI:
- Kate Boulamaali, Assistant Principal
- Tara Ricci, Fashion Design Department Coordinator and Educator
- Karen Batts, Sustainability Coordinator and Educator
- Metzli Nieves, Community Coordinator and Advisory Board Liaison
- Sam Bennett, Project Manager, Facilitator and Educator
REPAIR WORKSHOP SERIES —
The cornerstone of our initiative were six 2-hour workshops on the fashion industry’s repair needs using couture hand skills. Each workshop was designed and planned by Repair Shop with a fashion industry expert, and facilitated by the expert with support from our team. Workshops took place at HSFI with up to 12 students. Below is documentation of the workshops along with a ✨️Repair Workshop Reference Collection✨️ for public educational use.
SPECIAL THANKS —
This idea formed through conversations with Laura Novich of Hyloh while investigating the NYC repair landscape together, Tessa Mafucci of the New York Fashion Workforce Development Coalition who mentioned the criticality of the Garment District’s vanishing knowledge, and Vita Wells of The Culture of Repair Project who embraced our vision.
Repair Workshop Reference Collection
This reference collection includes six workshops and is reserved for public educators.GET ACCESS —
Please fill out this form to receive a link that holds all educational documents. These documents include: slides with how-tos and additional references, contact information of experts, lesson plans, supply lists, budget forms, and templates.
Read more about our workshops and materials below. ︎︎︎
Chain Stitch Embroidery + More with Carla Bellisio
April 2024
In this 2-hour hands-on workshop, we covered how to fix those pesky holes and stains on t-shirts and button-up shirts using chain stitch embroidery. We explored the difference between knits and wovens, demonstrated a couple embroidery techniques, and learned about special tools and tips to embroider like a professional. By the end of this workshop, students were able to beautify a stain or small hole with chain stitched words or a fun motif.
April 2024
In this 2-hour hands-on workshop, we covered how to fix those pesky holes and stains on t-shirts and button-up shirts using chain stitch embroidery. We explored the difference between knits and wovens, demonstrated a couple embroidery techniques, and learned about special tools and tips to embroider like a professional. By the end of this workshop, students were able to beautify a stain or small hole with chain stitched words or a fun motif.
Sewing Machine Maintenance with Michael Seymour
April 2024
In this 2-hour hands-on workshop, we covered the ins and outs of the sewing machine. We explored the sewing machine’s components, common troubleshooting issues, general maintenance and operation of the machine. Together, we learned how to thread the machine, reposition the needle, check oil levels, clean out lint, and understand proper tension and stitch length. By the end of this workshop, we were able to use a sewing machine with confidence and understand the important role of maintenance in order for the machine to run smoothly.
In this 2-hour hands-on workshop, we covered the ins and outs of the sewing machine. We explored the sewing machine’s components, common troubleshooting issues, general maintenance and operation of the machine. Together, we learned how to thread the machine, reposition the needle, check oil levels, clean out lint, and understand proper tension and stitch length. By the end of this workshop, we were able to use a sewing machine with confidence and understand the important role of maintenance in order for the machine to run smoothly.
Denim Repair with Ketch the Tailor
April 2024
In this 2-hour hands-on workshop, we dove into denim repair using a stitch technique called sashiko. We touched on denim construction, a brief history of denim, and how to examine damage, create and attach patches, and of course learn sashiko. By the end of this workshop, we were able to take a basic running stitch and create an infinite amount of patterns to turn damaged denim into a work of art.
April 2024
In this 2-hour hands-on workshop, we dove into denim repair using a stitch technique called sashiko. We touched on denim construction, a brief history of denim, and how to examine damage, create and attach patches, and of course learn sashiko. By the end of this workshop, we were able to take a basic running stitch and create an infinite amount of patterns to turn damaged denim into a work of art.
Alterations with Nazanin Ramezani
May 2024
In this 2-hour hands-on workshop, we explored simple garment alteration. Our bodies and fashion trends change throughout time. By learning to alter our clothes, we can extend the life of our garments. Using a skirt, we learned about proper fitting, examined the garment for possibilities of alteration, determined the amount of change needed, while considering finishes, details, aesthetics, and the overall balance of the garment. By the end of this workshop, we were able to understand the steps to altering a skirt and apply these techniques to other garments.
May 2024
In this 2-hour hands-on workshop, we explored simple garment alteration. Our bodies and fashion trends change throughout time. By learning to alter our clothes, we can extend the life of our garments. Using a skirt, we learned about proper fitting, examined the garment for possibilities of alteration, determined the amount of change needed, while considering finishes, details, aesthetics, and the overall balance of the garment. By the end of this workshop, we were able to understand the steps to altering a skirt and apply these techniques to other garments.
Fabric Creation with Sara Sakanaka
May 2024
In this 2-hour hands-on workshop, we explored the art of fabric creation. Scraps of fabric, dead stock, and damaged garments are all examples of textile waste. But is it really waste if we can make something new from it? Together, we combined scraps to create larger pieces of fabric that can then be manipulated into beautiful flowers that can be worn as a brooch. By the end of this workshop, we were able to understand the steps to make our own fabric and apply these techniques to other accessories and more.
May 2024
In this 2-hour hands-on workshop, we explored the art of fabric creation. Scraps of fabric, dead stock, and damaged garments are all examples of textile waste. But is it really waste if we can make something new from it? Together, we combined scraps to create larger pieces of fabric that can then be manipulated into beautiful flowers that can be worn as a brooch. By the end of this workshop, we were able to understand the steps to make our own fabric and apply these techniques to other accessories and more.
Darning Sweaters with Sam Bennett of Repair Shop
June 2024
In this 2-hour hands-on workshop, we explored the magic of darning. Starting with a brief history of mending and techniques, we reviewed darning tools, picking the perfect yarn, and provided a step-by-step darning demonstration and darn-a-long ending the workshop by weaving in the tails. All you need is a damaged garment you want to repair. By the end of this workshop, we were able to mend a small hole in a knit or woven garment.
June 2024
In this 2-hour hands-on workshop, we explored the magic of darning. Starting with a brief history of mending and techniques, we reviewed darning tools, picking the perfect yarn, and provided a step-by-step darning demonstration and darn-a-long ending the workshop by weaving in the tails. All you need is a damaged garment you want to repair. By the end of this workshop, we were able to mend a small hole in a knit or woven garment.
Templates and More
Templates include: budget sheet, supply list, lesson plan, and flyer. By November 2024, additional resources will be added. Stay tuned!
Templates include: budget sheet, supply list, lesson plan, and flyer. By November 2024, additional resources will be added. Stay tuned!