Sewn Up for Change: How Sustainable Sewing is Growing SI North Shore’s Membership
Soroptimist International North Shore’s “Sewn Up” upcycling sewing programme is stitching together a powerful story of sustainability, skills development, and Soroptimist values in action, while also inspiring new members to join our mission. Originally launched in partnership with East Coast Bays Library and in collaboration with Trash Free Taiaotea, the initiative offers beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level sewing classes to local women of all ages. The aim: reduce textile waste heading to landfill, teach practical repair and upcycling skills, and build a stronger, more connected community.
Each course level introduces new techniques — from sewing basics and simple tote bags to more advanced garment alterations and sustainable fashion practices. The classes are inclusive, hands-on, and proudly free to participants, with a focus on learning, confidence-building, and environmental action.
The results have been extraordinary:
Over 18 women have now participated in the course.
More than 7.8kg of second-hand fabric was reused in just one session.
And most excitingly, four new members have already joined Soroptimist North Shore directly as a result of the programme, with only a few weeks left to the end of this programme we may see more exploring the option to volunteer or support our projects.
The classes also support Heal the Teal, our national project raising awareness of ovarian cancer, through sewing items to sell and promote the cause.
We’ve found that many of our learners are drawn not only to the sewing, but to the values and community Soroptimists represents. By sharing our work, providing information about membership, and inviting participants to be part of something bigger, we’re growing our impact and our club.
We have had over 50 registrations for the programme which has been publicised through Auckland Council ‘Our Auckland’ and their Instagram. https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/events/2025/07/sewn-up-upcycling-sewing-classes/
East Coast Bays Library are keen for us to provide similar classes to a youth group which we are considering. We now have interest from a second library in Takapuna wanting to host similar classes, and plans are underway to explore this next year.
Sewing may be the thread — but it's the Soroptimist purpose and partnership that are tying it all together.
Discover how SI Gold Coast has been making an impact! In this edition, the club highlights their recent projects, celebrates achievements, and shares an exciting look at what’s coming up next. From hands-on community initiatives to future plans that continue empowering women and girls, this newsletter is full of inspiration and action.
This photo appeared in the Shepperton News with the caption: The ladies of Soroptimist International of Shepparton on the first day of their Giant Charity Garage Sale. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
When people move house, declutter or upgrade their household goods, they want to dispose of their old goods, even though they are still functioning and could be reused by others. SI Shepparton advertised in local papers and radios stations about the events ($320). SI Shepparton identified that by collecting these goods and making them available to both community groups and the general public, a significant amount of resources are reused, recycled and prevented from going into landfill.
SDG12 (Responsible Consumption) target 12.5
100 women and 100 girls helped.
From early 2024 SI Shepparton collected and stored goods from deceased estates, people who are downsizing and/or decluttering their homes. They hired storage sheds at a cost of $195 per month. Prior to holding the garage sales, members would sort and clean goods as necessary. For two weeks in June and again in October, SI Shepparton then held mega garage sale. Goods were made available to various community groups as well as the general public. This prevented these goods including furniture, homewares, books, toys and clothing from going to landfill. Shepparton Harness Club made their reception rooms available for modest rent for the duration of the garage sales ($500). They had 18 people rostered during the garage sales (8 hours a day for six days in June and October 2024) plus 2 people collecting, sorting and cleaning donated goods for at least one day a week for ten months making a total of 448 hours covered by members for this project. A mighty effort SI Shepparton.
The Afghan Women’s Organisation of Victoria (AWOV) have set up a volleyball team for junior girls from local Afghan families to join a local competition. The team was due to start their games in Dandenong in May and they needed sports tops with their name and number on them.
SI Melba members felt it was important for the girls to be able to participate wearing similar sports gear to the other teams so a decision was endorsed by all members to cover the cost of the tops for the team and coaches. SI Melba presented them with their sports tops and watched them play, building on friendships, community and teamwork.
Soroptimist International is a global movement of women, with members belonging to more than 3,000 clubs in 126 countries/territories, spread over 5 Federations
