SIGNIFICANT Seams recently hosted its third 'Reclaiming Creative Materials' event at the workshop at Karen Gutan's Art in Crediton.

Catherine West explained: “We've been delighted by the generous donations of craft materials received at each session. Even more, we've appreciated the people who have joined us to help – and enjoy some social company – as we 'process' donations, maximising their usefulness and creating opportunities for people's creativity.

Students Claire and Dee with their potholders  (made with reclaimed fabrics and appropriate specialist wadding) at the end of a recent workshop. Potholder making kits are now available in the shop at Karen Gutans Art.
Students Claire and Dee with their potholders  (made with reclaimed fabrics and appropriate specialist wadding) at the end of a recent workshop. Potholder making kits are now available in the shop at Karen Gutans Art. (Catherine West)

“We think too many resources are cast aside because they're deemed imperfect, unsuitable or simply not worth the effort of our attention. But what if the real problem isn't the resources themselves, but how we prioritise people, planet and care?

“Together, volunteers, workers and the people we support are finding ways to 'add value' to donated materials: fabrics, buttons, needles, threads, pins, curtain headers, wool from local sheep, and beautiful fibres discarded by factories. During our social sessions, we're sorting, ironing and cutting materials, as well as applying Bond-a-Web fusible web to create ready-to-use appliqué shapes.

Buttons and quality fabric being reclaimed from a donated cotton shirt at the workshop at Karen Gutans Art.
Buttons and quality fabric being reclaimed from a donated cotton shirt at the workshop at Karen Gutans Art. (Catherine West)

“Our sorting process identifies the best potential use for each donation: community events and projects, items for our Vinted online shop, or products for sale in our sales alcove at Karen Gutan's Art.

“Our patchwork potholder kits, autumn and Christmas fabric appliqué shapes, and felting kits and wool are now well-stocked.

“Our hope is that one day our kits and products will become almost impossible to sustain – not because we lack materials, but because so little will be wasted, overproduced or undervalued.

A volunteer prepares leaflets to go in craft kits at a Significant Seams event reclaiming creative materials, November 2026. Photo Credit Catherine West
A volunteer prepares leaflets to go in craft kits at a Significant Seams event reclaiming creative materials, November 2026. Photo Credit Catherine West (Catherine West)

“In the meantime, your custom helps us do something equally important: value human beings who may be feeling devalued by society, often because of vulnerable moments in life beyond their control.”

Significant Seams next 'Reclaiming Creative Materials' session on Wednesday, November 11, from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Find out more at: www.significantseams.org.uk