Summary:

This workshop combines 3 single day modules on sustainable fashion: a trip to a textile collection point, an experiment on modular fashion and a clothes exchange party at school. The modules can also be carried out individually.

Flowchart / Modules:

The workshop was developed and carried out within the framework of “Palast der Projekte – die ökologische Zukunftsstadt” in the Fichtelgebirge-Grundschule Berlin. It is documented that 22 children between 6 and 9 years (1-3 class) work for 3 days with about 3.5 hours working time for each child (8:00-12:00). The procedure is documented in days. Each day is a module. The modules can also be carried out separately.

(Documentation quickly written down without proofreading published)

DAY 1: Excursion to a textile collection point

On the first day we talk with the children about textile production and textile consumption and the many associated problems from the uncanny environmental costs of cotton production to phenomena such as fast fashion.

Then we make a trip to the Berlin city mission. Many donations of clothes end up there. The children see the unbelievable amount of clothes thrown away. There is also an upcycling sewing workshop on site. Here, for example, underpants are made from old T-shirts.

We are also allowed to take a bag of clothes with us, which we will need on the next two workshop days for our own (partly upcycling-like) projects.

TAG 2: Modular mode

We ask the class to do an experiment with us! First, we explain that modularity is a good strategy to reduce or even avoid waste. Who would ever throw Lego away? Then we ask ourselves whether we can’t also produce modular fashion? We look at Heros-Constructor toys for that. Can we make fashion according to the same principle?

Heros Constructor, a modular toy and the base of the 3erlin Grid

We brought 6 square (36x36cm) pieces of fabric. One of them has a hole in the middle for the head. In the pieces of cloth we make holes at the edge in 6cm intervals (3erlin Grid) and then eyelets (8mm). Then we assemble our garment in class. There is a model who puts on our garment and tells us how it wears: It fits, but is not quite comfortable. We evaluate and brainstorm with the class what would have to be improved in a next experiment: different cut, better lacing technique, smaller rivets – or larger ones. But basically a good idea that you can try out further.

The children all still paint the model with our sweater and think up a name.

DAY 3: Dress Swap Party Promotion Video

We talk to the kids about dress swap parties. We watch online videos and explain that we will have such a dress exchange party here at school in a few weeks time as part of the big ÖKOSTADT final demo and event on the project. And today we are doing the advertising video and poster.

Each child creates 5 pieces of clothing from the leftovers of the clothes they brought along from day 1, plus two paper figures and an advertising poster. We sew the garments onto the paper figures and if this doesn’t work out well, we also use homemade glue.

Then the kids go to the movie station. Each child speaks its own text. We film with a smartphone, which is firmly installed above a table with a selfie stick and a screw clamp. We assembled the individual films with the MPEG-Streamclip program (without the children).

background

A project from the eco-city.

The workshop was developed and carried out within the framework of “Palast der Projekte – die ökologische Zukunftsstadt” in the Fichtelgebirge-Grundschule Berlin.

License:

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