A SERIES of three sewing workshops took place over three evenings at the Galway Bay Hotel earlier this month, offering participants the chance to learn sewing techniques through the medium of spectacular African print fabrics, with local designer Virtue Shine.
The workshops were funded by Galway City Council through the ‘Circular City Galway’ initiative, which promotes the prevention of waste and the creative reuse of materials.
Ghana-born designer Virtue Shine of Emerald & Wax led the workshops, guiding participants through the process of transforming sustainable offcuts from vibrant African print fabrics into unique, handmade wall hangings. The workshops not only focused on creating beautiful artwork but also emphasised the importance of reducing textile waste and reimagining discarded materials in new and innovative ways.
Fergal Cushen, Environmental Awareness Officer for Galway City Council commented, “These workshops teach people a new skill but also highlight what is possible when we look at textile waste from a fresh perspective. Such creativity is the essence of the circular economy – a model that encourages us to rethink our relationship with resources”.
The series received positive feedback from participants, many of whom expressed excitement about the opportunity to learn new sewing skills while making a direct contribution to sustainability. The workshops have encouraged individuals to think about their own fabric waste and how they can apply similar concepts in their daily lives.
Paul Connolly, Senior Executive Engineer for Galway City Council stated, “We are delighted to be involved in these hugely important workshops, and we really appreciate the positive feedback from all the participants. Textile waste has become a big issue locally, nationally and internationally, and this is a wonderful way of returning textiles back into the economy, redesigned and reimagined”.
The ‘Circular City Galway’ initiative continues to support sustainable practices and foster innovation in the community. These workshops are building awareness around sustainability and offering tangible skills that align with a circular economy ethos. The initiative is funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications under the Anti-Dumping Initiative 2025.
Further workshops are planned over the upcoming months, details on these will be posted on Galway City Council’s website and socials. More tips and guides on how to breathe life into old textiles and clothing can be found at www.RediscoveryCentre.ie
