Calling all seamstresses, tailors, clothesmakers, and crafters!

Lead a workshop teaching a small group of young people skills that help them restore, repair, and take better care of clothing. Workshops will take place in Toronto, in-person or virtually. 

Slow Skills Sessions is a project of low-barrier workshops that teach basic alteration, repair, and restoration skills that empower queer and marginalized youth to divest from climate destructive practices like fast fashion, overconsumption, and overproduction without compromising on personal affirming style. We have hosted a number of “Swap Parties” in the past where youth are invited to donate unwanted belongings and freely browse the accumulated contributions. As a result, we have a lot of clothing that would make for excellent practice materials for workshops like: darning, visible/invisible mending, sewing machine operation, etc. 

To foster intergenerational wisdom sharing and relations, we are prioritizing elders/seniors who have these skills and would be interested in sharing their knowledge in a small group setting (or virtually). Fabrics leftover from these sessions will then be reconstituted as material for textile projects, encouraging deeper engagement with clothing as a resource.

For information about compensation and more, visit slow-skills.com/share

This project is supported by the City of Toronto through Live Green Toronto and the Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants program. Funding covers the cost of supplies and any event space rental, as well as facilitator honorarium ($150) and transportation reimbursement. Sessions can also be held virtually/recorded.