reMADE DXB

We know that Sewing is powerful and this pandemic should not stop anyone from learning. By adapting to the technology available to us anything is possible.

Read how Skills3 - A creative skills enterprise for social impact have used basic technology to adapt and innovate their sewing and livelihood programme

You can imagine the challenges this pandemic has imposed on the Syrian ladies from a guest community in Abu Dhabi. To continue with their sewing training in our Basmat Amal Sewing for Livelihood programme seemed impossible 2 months ago at the start of the COVID pandemic.

Yesterday, we resumed the workshops and had a successful Zoom session brushing up on past lessons and learning a new one. How did we do it? We identified 3 components that were necessary
1) equipment
2) online connectivity
3) streamlined lesson plan.

SKILLS3 sent each lady a sewing machine, haberdashery and fabric supplies plus the projects and patterns separated in sealed bags. They received assistance in setting up wifi connection to be able to attend our Zoom class meetings from their homes. Apart from the Zoom meetings, SKILLS3 will be sending over links to tutorials and closely monitor their work through WhatsApp photos and chats. A timetable is set for the projects which are carefully curated for simplicity and relevance. As you can see from the photos, they successfully learned how to make a fabric mask yesterday.

Creative adaptation to a changing global way of learning. This is the future of upskilling.

Although lockdown restrictions have been eased in the UAE, it is understandable that you may want to stay home to help keep our country safe in the long run.

To help make our time in a bit more interesting, our friends at Home Club ME have compiled a brilliant list of 20 Facebook UAE based community groups to help us keep digitally connected and maybe even find a new hobby/interest. From beauty and style tips to food inspiration to business support - there's something for everyone and more.

We are thrilled to see that sewing makes an appearance too! So if you're a sewist and want to connect with likeminded people, be sure to join Dubai SEWS!

Stay safe, stay healthy!

20 Useful Facebook Groups To Join In The UAE - Home Club Me 20 Useful Facebook Groups To Join In The UAE - Stay connected with these community groups

I've checked around the various medical/surgical facemask tutorials and put together this little round-up of tutorials which are easy to follow for a confident beginner.

If you know any sewists who are looking for patterns, please feel free to share this post.

Quick tips:
* wash your fabrics first and press with a hot iron
* consider using a different fabric so that the user can differentiate the reverse and ensure they do not place the contaminated side to their face
* sandwich ties, pipe cleaners or floral wire can be used if you are making a facemask with a nose clip

* Video tutorials:
Pleated rectangular mask: https://youtu.be/4FB--BOyTiU
Clamshell: https://youtu.be/-u70sgWb6hQ

* Written tutorials:
- Rectangular:
https://thestitchingscientist.com/2020/03/how-to-sew-a-face-mask.html
https://www.sewthecurveflat.com/masks-3
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-make-face-mask-coronavirus_l_5e78cb2fc5b6f5b7c5483e17
https://buttoncounter.com/category/tutorials/
https://sarahmaker.com/how-to-sew-a-surgical-face-mask-for-hospitals-free-pattern/

- Clamshell:
https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Cloth-Face-Mask/
https://so-sew-easy.com/face-mask-sewing-patterns/
https://sweetredpoppy.com/how-to-sew-a-fitted-fabric-mask/
https://www.craftpassion.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/?fbclid=IwAR1xwGQkrYAKXAzN5-eF3EYRdoTwNZo0V7H-NnqbF-e5Agc8lhdeTN1Uk_A -mask-pattern - this one is particularly good for those who wear hijab (thank you Saba Ansari for this tip!)

If you don't have elastic consider using bias tape or making your own bias tape (plenty of tutorials online)
https://youtu.be/-u70sgWb6hQ

As ever, please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions on making/methodology.

Stay safe, stay indoors, save lives!

Hello sewing friends!

In light of the current situation with COVID-19 and the recommendations, we're doing our bit as good residents and citizens of the UAE and putting all our workshops on hold until we have a better understanding of the situation.

We encourage one and all to take heed of the global recommendations on social distancing and please keep yourself safe.

We hope that crafting and creativity brings some calm amidst this unexpectedly difficult and uncertain time.

I will be in iSEWlation but here to answer any sewing related questions.

Stay safe, look out for one another, be kind and keep on sewing!

Slow down and get creative in the fresh air with this lovely workshop with Natalya from Glitches & Stitches at the Etisalat Beach Canteen. Sign up in advance to save a spot!

📣 Free Workshops alert! 📣 ⠀
We are partnering up with on Feb 29th and on March 10th to bring back our free bookbinding workshop! Seats are limited (and filling up quickly!) so make sure you book your spot via the link in our bio x⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀
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