Learn how to create a chic knot bag with reclaimed fabric & appliqué at our creatively mindful workshop!
Get creative at our sustainable upcycling workshop! Learn to sew a stylish Japanese knot bag using reclaimed fabrics and master the art of appliqué to personalise your creation. This hands-on session, led by local designers dedicated to sustainable fashion and mindful making, is perfect for all skill levels and promotes eco-conscious crafting, slow fashion, and community connection. All materials provided by St Oswald’s Hospice! Enjoy a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, meet fellow makers, and leave with a functional, fashionable bag you made yourself. Let’s stitch sustainably!
Organised by Slow Hand Creative Studio and ISLAND MAKER, more details below
Melanie Kyles
Business Owner at Slow Hand Creative Studio
I'm a contemporary needlework specialist with a love for all things tactile, sparkly, and story-driven. Trained in freehand, goldwork, tambour, and Irish machine embroidery, my work weaves together traditional techniques with a deep commitment to sustainability, which informs every stage of my practice. Storytelling sits at the heart of everything I do—whether I'm making bold statements on feminism, heritage, or environmentalism, capturing personal narratives through unique commissions, or sharing ideas through teaching with the aim of inspiring others. Currently completing my MA in Sustainable and Ethical Fashion, I believe fashion and textiles should be a joyful, creative force that uplifts without compromise. I'm a proud Geordie, passionate about nurturing creative talent in the region through knowledge exchange and mentorship. My mission is to encourage creative confidence, spark meaningful conversations, and celebrate the beauty and power of needlework and self-expression.
Suzanne Claire Nicolson
Business Owner at Island Maker and Senior Research Assistant at Impact+
Suzanne Claire Nicolson is a multidisciplinary design researcher and practitioner specialising in sustainability, textile innovation, and circular fashion systems. Currently a Senior Research Assistant at Northumbria University and is the founder of Island Maker—a creative business rooted in the rich cultural heritage of the Shetland Isles. Island Maker blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary sustainable practices, drawing inspiration from Suzanne’s hometown in Shetland. Each handmade fashion piece, illustration, and community workshop reflects thoughtful material choices and compelling storytelling. Her work explores themes including textile waste, end-of-life garment strategies, repair cultures, and community engagement. Working across multiple disciplines, Suzanne investigates how mindful making, care practices, and creative collaboration can inform more sustainable futures for fashion and textiles. Beyond academia, she extends her research through freelance design projects and participatory workshops—bridging theory and practice through collaboration, skills exchange, craft, inquiry, and innovation.