Introducing SFW Hub: Cotswolds
Introducing our Hub partner in the Cotswolds, hosted by Lucy Barraclough and Faye Brookes.
What is your organisation name?
We are two separate independent businesses who share the same values: Lucy & The Stitches and Faye of FAB Skills.
Who is behind your organisation? Who are your team members?
Lucy and Faye with family and friends helping on the day.
When were you established as an organisation?
Lucy – After taking early retirement as a Textile and Design Technology teacher 3 years ago, I set myself up as a Sewing tutor, teaching sewing skills and how to repair textiles and clothing. I also upcycle and reinvent fashion items. I have always been interested in fashion and having an individual style and have scoured second hand clothing stores ever since I was a teenager.
Faye - I started “FAB Skills” after loosing my hearing overnight and had to “adapt to change”. I launched in October 2023 and my business has been most successful. Although I make new Blinds and Curtains I particularly enjoy repurposing curtains into blinds, altering curtains, repairing, lampshade and cushion making.
Where are you based?
Lucy – In the Forest of Dean
Faye - Cirencester
What is your background?
Lucy – I am a qualified Textile Technologist who worked in the Fashion industry for 15 years, after which a trained to become a secondary Textiles teacher.
Faye – I have always had a love of a jumble sale as a child and completed a City and Guilds Fashion course at night school in 1999. My mother completed the City in Guilds in Soft furnishing, and we often sewed together.
Have you taken part in any other initiatives in the community?
Lucy – I have worked for SFW before – holding workshops on how to repair. I have independently organised and delivered my own repair workshops in Cirencester, Bristol and across the Forest of Dean.
Faye – I have recently started developing ideas and assisted in teaching for Remanance Revolution.
What are your aims for taking part in SFW?
This event is all about sustainable fashion and textiles, encouraging everyone to rethink fast fashion through fun activities and workshops. We will be holding workshops, Demos/Talks & Swap shops. As a community, local businesses and advocates of sustainability are coming together in the Cotswolds to provide inspiration and awareness of how you can reclaim your connection to fashion and textiles.
Do you have any guiding principles that your organisation uses?
Preventing landfill! Teaching people to love their textiles pieces for longer, through repair and reinventing them.
Are there any fun facts about you/ your team that you’d like to share?
Lucy and Faye only met in June!
How would you recommend we can “Reclaim Fashion”?
I think that the Government should do what France has done, that legislates against fast fashion practices. More education about the impact of the overuse and non-biodegradability of synthetic fibres and fabrics.
Quick Fire Questions
What piece of advice would you recommend to someone trying to change their fashion habits for the better?
Learn to repair your clothes
Which issue do you feel is the most important to address in the fashion industry?
The use of synthetic fibres and fabrics in everything
What is your top tip for those new to consuming fashion sustainably?
Don’t follow fashion with a passion – slow down and be selective. Buy something out of season – its cheaper and you can look forward to wearing it later in the year.
You can learn more about Lucy’s work via Instagram and Faye’s Fab Skills via Instagram.