Two examples of DIY crafting workshops
at the Hackers and Haute Couture Heretics
exhibition can exemplify how different modes of
participation help develop crafting skills. The T-
shirt transformation workshop of Megan Nicolay
(top) was a very playful event where participants cut
up and remade T-shirts in various ways. The mate-
rial is very simple to work with, as it is stretchable
and does not fray. But at the same time the format
is limited for further development. The methods of
Nicolay are very simple, some only involving cutting
the shirt in various ways with a pair of scissors.
This encourages participants to immediately engage
in the workshop. The results are exciting and the
spirit high among visitors.
Another workshop was run by Junky Styling
(below). Their designs are based on recycling mens
suits. Here the material is more demanding and
the engagement requires more craftsmanship of
both complex seam ripping and machine sewing.However, as the methods of Junky are simple too,
and as the transformation act of suits preserves
much of the original details, the final result always
looks tailor made. The combination of original
details and freshly made alterations blends into a
sartorial alloy where participants leave the workshop
with very convincing results. Both workshops engaged
participants in DIY crafts and advancement of their
skills. What they experienced at the gallery was just
a teaser of their future fashion endeavours.