A Workshop That Grows Over Time: Sustainable Tailoring at IC Tommaso Grossi

Since 2022, the tailoring workshop at IC Tommaso Grossi has become a stable space for connection and learning for mothers and students alike. Over the years, the project has grown steadily, bringing together different generations around a shared value: sustainable tailoring as a tool for education, relationships, and awareness.

A Project That Connects Generations

Active for four years now, the workshop offers courses in tailoring and pattern-making using reclaimed fabrics, creating an accessible and hands-on learning environment. Alongside structured lessons, guided coworking sessions have developed under the leadership of Lihua, who, after attending the first courses as a participant, is now a tutor. Her journey reflects the continuity and internal growth of the project.

The collaboration with the school continues consistently; not only students, but also their families recognize the educational and community value of the initiative.

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Courses for Students: Technique, Creativity, and Awareness

In January, tailoring courses for middle school students resumed with the support of the Scuole Aperte program, led by Ilaria. The group includes nine students - four girls and five boys - who are learning essential sewing and textile decoration techniques: from hand stitching to using a sewing machine, from pattern cutting to weaving and screen printing on fabric. “They have fun and feel proud when they see objects created with their own hands, with a clear increase in their self-esteem,” Ilaria explains.

The course also includes a final upcycling project and a broader reflection on sustainability in fashion. Through practical activities and the reading of a book that traces the production chain of a pair of jeans, students are discovering the value of time, labor, and resources behind every garment. They participate with enthusiasm and curiosity, learning that creativity and patience are part of the same process.

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The Path with Mothers: Continuity and Growth

The Tuesday morning course, led by Maria Luisa, continues to evolve. Since October, the focus has shifted more toward clothing: half-circle skirts with elastic or waistbands, a basic skirt, and a kimono. “Even with newcomers, we create one or two accessories at first, but then we quickly move on to garments. They see the work of others and become curious,” Maria Luisa shares. Currently, eight mothers are enrolled, though not all can attend regularly. Among them is Gina, who began the course two years ago with no prior experience and now independently carries out clothing repairs. The program is carefully structured: each participant collects notes and sewing samples in a ring binder, gradually building a personal archive of skills and knowledge.

The thread connecting all these experiences is sustainable tailoring, a practical tool for transmitting skills, responsibility, and a sense of community. It is a project that continues to grow, year after year, alongside the people who bring it to life.