This post provides a summary of the final two recorded sessions that are available from OCASA’s Summer of Sustainability 2024. If you like the sound of either of them please visit the Arts, the Environment and Sustainability resource area on the VLE to view the full videos and associated Padlets. They can be found in this section OCASA's Summer of Sustainability 2024.
Jenny Udale’s Sashiko workshop session from SoS 2024
There is a full video of Jenny's Sashiko workshop from SoS 2024. The recording is approx. 1.5 hours long and it includes an introductory slide show, some sourced video examples and then a ‘make along’ section to end.
The recording is also supported by Jenny’s Sashiko Padlet. This includes some of the resources that she uses in the session.
At the start Jenny talks about her experience and practice. This then leads into a brief historical contextualisation of Sashiko stitching. Here Jenny talks about types of fabric, indigo dying and the significance of different Sashiko stitch patterns.
The session then moves into the ‘make along’ section. Here Jenny shows how to make the sewing grid and then she shows a sourced video on how to transfer this grid onto the fabric.
A second video shows how to create some simple patterns and two of these are the focus for the session. These are the gridded ‘Hogan sashi’ pattern and the stepped ‘Dan tsunagi’ pattern. Full instructions are shown for how to stich evenly and accurately.
Jenny then recaps on the essentials of Sashiko stitching and summarises how to start with the stitching and how to tie off at the end.
The slide show ends with a resource list and a Q and A with the participating students.
Jenny’s session and Padlet are a really good introduction to this beautiful and mindful technique. Why not gather together some scrap fabric and thread, a needle, some scissors, a ruler and a water soluble pencil and give it a go?
Catherine Byrne’s Circular Spatial Design workshop session from SoS 2024
There is a full video of Catherine's Circular Spatial Design workshop from SoS 2024. The recording is approx. 37 minutes long and leads to a fun activity.
The recording is also supported by Catherine’s Interior Design Padlet This includes some of the resources that she shows along with the student examples created in the session.
At the start of the presentation Catherine explains what circular spatial design is and then moves on to showing a range of really interesting examples.
The first is the Waste House in Brighton, UK. This was a research project that proves that a permanent building can be predominantly built from sourced waste materials. It was completed in 2014. These materials include carpet tiles, DVD cases, old videos, toothbrushes and denim offcuts. Catherine talks through some of the planning drawings and these identify the reused and new materials.
Catherine mentions some historical precedents and then shows a few more contemporary examples. She shows the work of Rotor, a Belgium-based co-operative design practice. They use predominantly reclaimed materials in their structures and interiors.
The next example is Rural Studio Alabama who often use reclaimed materials and also have a community focus, so they work with local people on their proposals. One of the structures Catherine shows uses recycled car windscreens and the other uses 900 repurposed car tires.
As design culture examples Catherine discusses the work of What Design Can Do (WDCD) and their 2024 Redesign Everything Challenge along with the 2024 London Festival of Architecture.
As interior design examples Catherine shows a waste recycling centre in Japan, a house and a restaurant interior and finally a canteen in India.
A list of resources is provided before Catherine moves on to the final part of the workshop which is explaining the task. She uses Michael Wolf’s photographs of ‘Bastard Chairs’ and other assorted images showing repurposed objects as excellent examples to kick start the activity.
To undertake the activity you will need a collection of predominantly tired/broken/damaged/everyday objects. These can be large or small. You will then use these in different combinations to draw from and recreate other objects with a new function. The activity is all about ideas and quick drawings and not about final pieces. You can use Catherine’s Interior Design Padlet to see what the participating students produced. There are some fantastic ideas.
Watch this space for details of OCASA's Summer of Sustainability 2025, coming soon!
There are also the previous year’s recordings and Padlets available in OCASA's Summer of Sustainability 2023
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