Remade Leeds - Banner Making Workshop

On 4th May I attended the banner workshop at Remade Leeds.

"We are running a really exciting campaign in April - 'ReMade's Water Month' which aims to highlight some of the issues around water and sustainability through a fun and hands on banner workshop. Participating groups will have the chance to find out a bit more about water, fill in our quick interactive online survey and then make their very own water inspired banner using craft techniques with our team of experienced designers."

I've been to Remade a few times and I love how there are so many aspects to the space. As well as it being a shop for remade clothing, there are pop-up shops, clothing alterations, skills workshops and creative space. I think this is what will make Remade Leeds last longer than most indie shops as it's multiple uses give it longevity.

I chose to do more knitting for my part of the banner but with some big 12mm needles and "t shirt wool" which is basically using an old t shirt and cutting it in a strip so that it can be knitted like yarn. Cutting the t shirt in a spiral means that the majority of the material is used without having to tie pieces together.

This was pretty easy and with such big needles I could knit a larger piece in less time. I was really happy with the results and also found a new way to use up old clothing and fabric. It would make a funky rug. I was going to have a go at "ragging" but I had a bit of a headache and so left early. I can remember doing ragging when I was younger on a school trip to Thwaite Mill. It's a quick way to make rosette brooches with a few nice buttons and a clasp.

All above photos by Lana Johnston via Active Arts.

I decided to go for a pollution scene. There were no real set rules for what we had to do and although the medium of crafty banners is very "nice" it was a good way for me to use craftivism to depict an important message of what's wrong in the world.

I used my knitted t shirt as a background; the sea. I then weaved through some sparkly netting for waves and the fish are made of felt and move when the piece is moved. The fish a re dead, I tried to show this by the cartoon 'x' for eyes. If I'd of had time I'd of put some text on there reflecting on water pollution.

I had a good time and would definitely go down to Remade Leeds again for similar workshops.