Handy skill all sewn up

THAT CRAFTY SHOP’S SEWING WORKSHOPS LOOM AS A HIT WITH KIDS THESE HOLIDAYS, WRITES LAUREN PRATT

ALAINE Crees from That Crafty Shop is on a mission to bring back the art of sewing.

The 32-year-old says the ability to adjust hems, make cushions, quilts or clothing waned during her generation.

However, she says parents are enrolling their children in her school holiday workshops so the art won’t skip another generation.

“Some parents have come here and said ‘I don’t know how to sew’ but they want their kids to learn,” she says.

“I think in my age group it is lost a little bit. I’ve come across a lot of parents who are putting their kids in now so they can learn the skills.”

Alaine and her mother, Desleigh Crees, are behind That Crafty Shop on Sheridan St offering supplies for crafty types and running workshops for adults and children.

Desleigh initially offered just adult sewing classes but after requests to run classes for children, Alaine kicked off workshops during the Christmas holidays in 2017. About one to two students attended each workshop but by Easter this year, word had spread and each class was fully booked.

Alaine has again rolled out classes for the school holidays, which include making Christmas stockings, lampshades and clothing, tie dying, learning to crochet and so much more.

“It’s not very expensive,” she says. “We keep it $45 a day and that includes materials. Down south classes cost around $120.

“All the parents really love it. The fact that kids are coming in and they are learning a life skill. They (participants) also really like taking something home.”

Alaine says this time around she has turned the focus to upcycling for some of the workshops

“We will turn something you normally would throw out into something you would wear,” she says. “Old shirts will be turned into shopping bags. We will also make a denim-jeans bag.”

Alaine says the greatest reward from the classes is empowering children to continue their sewing journey.

“We’ve had a few little girls come in and do intro to sewing and have since patched up old pants or fixed pillowcases,” she says.

“Another little girl made the owl and has made a few owls to send out for Christmas. One saw that she needed to put the hem up on shorts so has done that by herself at home. It’s excellent.”

Next Alaine has her sights on the Cairns Show and how she can guide young sewers to enter their work.

“I’m really hoping that at the next Cairns Show, the kids will be able to look at their work and go ‘that’s mine mum’.

“I’m definitely enjoying myself with the shop. People come in and purchase the supplies to make a quilt then they come back and they show it to you. It’s really good when you get to sit back and go ‘I’m part of it’.