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👜 Workshop Overview
Turn a pair of pants into your favourite new carry bag. We all have that busted pair of once loved pants hiding up the back of the wardrobe. Op shops won't take them, but you can't bring yourself to throw them out... the good news is, pants are perfect for upcycling! They're durable and if we know how to process them, they have lots of workable surface area to create with... so let your pants live on! Bring them back to life as your new fav tote bag.
*we have dozens of pairs of pants here ready to upcycle if you don't have a pair of pants to bring in :)
♻️ Workshop Learnings
This three and a half hour workshop covers how to efficiently break down a pair of jeans to maximise working material, learn the process of assembly for creating durable totes and process of assembly for sewing badass totes at home. Which includes:
♻️ Domestic sewing machine fundamentals (if you need to touch up on your skills).
♻️ Guidelines to effectively break down clothing for upcycling.
♻️ Upcycling design (storytelling) and basic patterning (which parts go where)
♻️ How to reconstruct clothing ready for upcycling.
♻️ Tote bag process of assembly (step by step how to make a tote).
♻️ Leave with your own custom tote bag!
♻️ Who this workshop is for:
This class is for beginner to intermediate sewers who are keen to learn key upcycling skills to apply to future projects.
Maybe you remember sewing years ago but want to brush up on your skills, maybe you've never sewn before but you want to bring some of your wardrobe back to life.
- No prior sewing skills required.
- Accessible to all skill levels. If you're a gun sewer, we will push you to get even more creative!
- Anyone that hates landfill and loves creating
*All of our courses are designed to meet you at your current skill level. If you're new to sewing, we will guide you through fundamental processes. If you're more experienced, we can push you for a more complex design and manufacturing process.
🚀 Workshop format
This Saturday workshop is hosted Into Carry which sits inside zero waste cafe, Into Coffee in Collingwood.
🚀 Learn how to effectively cut up clothing for upcycling
🚀 Choose a tote style to create with your pants (size, pocket, strap, lining)
🚀 Make your tote!
🚀 Free coffee or hot drink on arrival courtesy of Into Coffee
🚀 Pastries and sandwiches available to purchase from Into Coffee
🚀 Each student will have their own sewing machine. Everyone is welcome to BYO machine if that's preferred.
♻️ Waste Materials
If you don't have a pair of old pants, we have heaps to pants here to choose from.
💚 Included in the workshop:
Each class is guided by two of our expert upcycling facilitators.
We run a maximum of 1:5 expert facilitator : student ratio to ensure everyone get lots of one on one time with each facilitator.
Ticket includes a free coffee or hot beverage from Into Coffee (yum).
You will learn on your own domestic sewing machine for the 3.5 hours (you're welcome to bring your own if you prefer)
Includes access to pants and additional waste materials for your bag.
Walk away with a custom made, durable, upcycled tote bag made entirely by you!
All this for $139 per person.
We offer a refund policy up until 7 days prior to the workshop starting. If the cancellation is within this 7 day window, we will release the ticket and refund your amount pending it's resale.
Bag Making Workshop // 3.5 Hour Workshop
Turn your favourite old pants into your favourite new tote. We all have that busted pair of once loved pants hiding up the back of the wardrobe. Op shops won't take them, but you can't bring yourself to throw them out... well, pants are perfect for upcycling... durable material with lots of surface area to work with... let your pants live on! Bring them back to life as your new fav tote bag.
LEARNINGS & OUTCOMES: This three hour workshop (which goes hella fast) covers how to efficiently break down a pair of jeans to maximise working material, learn the process of assembly for creating durable totes and process of assembly for sewing badass totes at home. Which includes:
- Domestic sewing machine fundamentals (if you need to touch up on your skills).
- Guidelines to effectively break down clothing for upcycling.
- Upcycling design (storytelling) and basic patterning (which parts go where)
- How to reconstruct clothing ready for upcycling.
- Tote bag process of assembly (step by step how to make a tote).
- Leave with your own custom tote bag!

Pants into carry
Bag Upcycling
Student Review
Everyone’s tote bags were different, showing great personalities! Thanks for a great day!
Amanda J Smith

FAQ - Bag Making Workshop
You don't need any prior sewing experience to start this workshop. We will teach you how to sew at the beginning of the class and help guide you throughout the session.
If you like it! We have a five week bag making course to continue developing your skills in making epic bags from trash :)
You are welcome to... but you absolutely don't need to. We have an abundance of excess pants here, just ready and waiting to be upcycled.
Uhhhh heck yeah, yes please. This Saturday morning, caffeinated workshop is a great way to catch up with someone over coffee and upcycling.
In fact, if you book at the same time, enter ' BYOMATES ' at checkout for $30 off.
Great question... we are located at 2A Robert St, Collingwood 3066. It's a 3 minute walk from the Peel St tram stop on Smith St. Or it's right off Wellington St and its epic bike path.
Dang right you can... The bag making process is highly adaptable so you can continue making your own versions from home or you can jump on board our next bag making course which begin every few weeks. Check out the next one here.