The Blue Door’s Lynda Larson is the brain behind ‘Stitch’ - an upcycling project hoping to breathe new life into old textiles.
Op-shops and charity retailers in New Zealand are able to sell only 15 – 30 percent of donations on average, with the rest being disposed in landfill.
Lynda says The Blue Door – a Blenheim-based charity shop with a sustainable focus – receives many old or unusable items.
She’s now hoping to change their fate.
Stitch will piece together worn or unwanted textiles and turn them into hand-made bespoke pieces to be sold on the shop floor, giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase something entirely unique and sustainable.
“We’re do our absolute best to recycle what we can and are really trying to reduce things going to landfill,” she says.
Inspired by Textile Rescue in Nelson and their efforts to reduce waste, challenge fast fashion and upskill people in the process, Lynda has created a new workroom at the back of the blue door dedicated to the project.
Now, her aim is to get Stitch off the ground and create a community of sustainable crafts people who are happy to volunteer their services.
She is looking for experienced machine sewers, hand stitchers, knitters, embroiderers and menders – as well people to help sort, cut, prepare and press fabrics.
“You don’t have to be a sewer to be part of Stitch. There are lots of jobs involved in taking an old textile and turning it into something new,” she says.
Equipment donations are also welcome, including sewing machines, overlockers and other useful sewing-room items.
Lynda’s vision is for a creative space that “can make beautiful things, even out of old placemats.”
To volunteer services or for more information, contact Lynda at info@thebluedoor.nz.
