The fast fashion industry produced 97 million tons of waste, composed of leftover textiles, chemical waste and packaging, in 2023 alone. These startling statistics are only continuing to rise as fast fashion stays trending. The Fashion and Sewing Club at DU formed as a rebellion against this industry and its continuous waste.
President of the club, Serena Strawn, joined her freshman year, excited by the mission of the current leaders who wanted to spread the idea of sustainability in the fashion industry.
“To the club, they introduced the idea that making clothes by hand adds more personal value to them, so that you’re less likely to stop wearing them like store-bought clothes inspired by the quickly changing fashion industry,” Strawn explained.
The mechanical engineering student, now a junior, runs the club alongside Vice President Kania Campbell and Secretary Klaire Cherryhomes. Strawn continues the legacy of those before her by creating a welcoming area for everyone. Organizing projects this year such as sewing bucket hats and making tote bags has allowed beginners to feel comfortable in these crafts.
Open workshops occur during meetings on Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Entrepreneurship Garage on the north side of campus where anyone can come in and learn something new or use materials for other existing projects.
Gwenyth Morgan, a sophomore majoring in criminology, is a passionate club member. Morgan appreciates the welcoming atmosphere, making it a place where she can feel comfortable taking risks.
“The DU Fashion & Sewing [club] is a safe space for you to try something new. If I hadn’t joined this club, I would have never met some of my favorite people and I probably would have never tried crochet and would have just stuck to sewing machine work,” Morgan said.
Member Kyra Obert, a freshman majoring in marketing, shares a similar sentiment.
“My favorite thing about Fashion and Sewing Club is the warm and welcoming environment that the other members help to create, as well as the flexibility I have to explore different kinds of textile arts. It’s very easy to find someone who is knowledgeable about a certain craft,” she said.
The executive board spends their meetings bouncing around and giving guidance to those who may need it. A success to a member trying something new means a success to the entire club.
“My favorite memories always involve teaching someone a new craft from scratch. I’ve seen a lot of people make insane progress over just a few weeks,” Cherryhomes said.
Since this is a fashion club, members are encouraged to take up all kinds of creativity beyond just sewing. For someone who has always been very attached to her sewing machine, Morgan has enjoyed the opportunity to expand beyond her comfort level.
“A fond memory I have is when I first started learning how to crochet. If I’m being honest, I didn’t start out as the best, but that’s why I love the art so much, it’s new and it’s different,” Morgan said.
Constant support and excitement for one another is what fuels this club. Everyone wants to see each other succeed, which is what many see as the biggest benefit of being a part of the group. Strawn has managed to create a community of people who empower one another to see their full potential.
“I think that more people just need to know how many opportunities there are in this world to be creative and the potential that everyone has to make their own clothes, bags, pillows and other oddities in their life. The sewing club has all the resources and expertise to help them accomplish this, it just takes a bit of motivation on their part to pursue their idea,” Strawn concluded.
For more information regarding meetings and workshops put on by the Fashion and Sewing Club, visit their Instagram page.
