Creativity. Environmental sustainability. Education.
Doesn’t that sum up FGBR’s vision? Lucky for us, it’s a shared vision with Graffiti & Silk by Mobile Hope located on 860 East Main St, Purcellville. What was originally discarded is upcycled into the chic then sold at the store, with all proceeds going to client support.
Leading this initiative of turning imperfect materials into one-of-a-kind products is local fiber artist, Pamela Schmidt. Pamela teaches sewing classes, mentors individuals, and welcomes the camaraderie & support of other creative souls. The use of donated items to fabricate fashion fulfills the goal of reducing content in our landfills. G&S has, to date, kept 8500 pounds of clothing out of the Loudoun landfill. This is a win-win for the community!
Pamela works at G&S’s textile lab where they house 8 sewing machines and a serger along with a plethora of yarn, fabric, paints and other fodder for embellishment. Also available is a large loom on which rugs are woven from denim and tarn (donated t-shirts cut into strips). Many students offer their appreciation for the use of the necessary tools within the textile lab, saving them from purchasing things they may not use again themselves while allowing them to give unknown tools a try. The goal is to foster learning that will empower others to realize their inherent superpowers. Learning some basic skills plus the use of the tools of design (sewing machine, looms, hooks & needles, paint brushes) unlocks the creativity within, allowing it to blossom into untold outcomes.
Classes include: 1) get to know your machine 2) beginning sewing (make a project) 3) intermediate sewing (following a pattern) 4) invincible mending
Graffiti & Silk Classroom Partnership, where creativity & education meets environmental sustainability.
- Fashion Design & Embellishment
- Opportunity to exercise & share knowledge in the medium of fashion design & embellishment.
- Teach Sewing Skills
- Opportunity to teach sewing skills to individuals or small groups for a small salary or Graffiti & Silk credit.
- Mentor a sewer
- Opportunity to mentor a novice sewer in learning basic sewing skills.
- Assist and Learn
- Opportunity to share & assist another instructor in teaching craft/ sewing/ embellishment, often using in-house garments for the medium.
- Saving the Landfill
- Resourceful Remodeling of Refuse into Riches: That’s what artistic leadership can stimulate.