Sew right for environment

Sajeela Jamie is passionate about saving the environment – one stitch at a time. The fashion designer and sewing teacher will be on hand at JCU's Sustainability Symposium on April 11 to inspire people to recycle by making them aware of what is possible by reusing, mending and altering.

Sew right for environment

Sajeela Jamie is passionate about saving the environment – one stitch at a time.

The fashion designer and sewing teacher will be on hand at James Cook University’s Sustainability Symposium on April 11 to inspire people to recycle by making them aware of what is possible by reusing, mending and altering.

A Clothes Swap and Ms Jamie’s free workshops will be held in a multifunction room in The Cairns Institute on the day of the Symposium between 10am and 3pm.

“I hate that we’re destroying the environment. I feel very passionate about nature – I like things to be pure and fresh,” Ms Jamie said.

Reusing, redesigning, and recycling any fabric is Ms Jamie’s main message, a message echoed in the many other events at JCU’s Sustainability Symposium and Fair, Challenging Consumerism: The War on Waste.

“It’s important we use every bit of material produced, particularly cotton which uses more water and pesticides in its production than any other fabric,” she said

“I’ll have handouts there on the day as well, about cotton and other important recycling information.”

Ms Jamie also will have her own patterns, four sewing machines and an overlocker on hand, so you can copy one of her patterns, cut and sew a small piece on the day. You don’t have to know how to sew – she will teach you on the day.

She’s invited everyone to either bring along the clothes they have swapped from the Clothes Swap on the day for altering and mending, clothes from home where the fabric could be used to create another item or restyled, or household items to be revamped.

JCU’s Sustainability Symposium and Fair, Challenging Consumerism: The War on Waste, will be held at the Cairns campus on April 11.

In addition to the program of speakers, the free event incorporates workshops including recycled craft, food, live music and stalls featuring the Kuranda Seed Savers and the Saltwater Creek Basketry Group.

To register go to alumni.jcu.edu.au/2014SusSympFair

Information for media:

Sajeela Jamie will be showing James Cook University students how to recycle their clothes on Friday, March 28, 10.30am, at the entrance to The Cairns Institute. She will have her sewing machine set up in front of the building.

For more information, contact Liz Inglis on 0419 643 494 or email lizingliscommunications@gmail.com

JCU Media Liaison: Caroline Kaurila, tel: (07) 4781 4586 or 0437 028 175

Issued: March 28, 2014