Have you heard of ReTweed?
Design & Alter supports an inspiring award winning initiative in Scotland




ReTweed is a social initiative based in Eyemouth on the Scottish border supporting women. In a save environment participating women are taking the opportunity to develop new skills and build confidence being introduced to creative sewing. The idea is to recycle donated textiles and fabrics and turn them into something beautiful. Creativity is contagious! Up-cycled items start from cushions, craft items to lovable presents. Participants of the ReTweed scheme take part in a 12-week programme with career and enterprise development support. This is aiming at women who are especially vulnerable. ReTweed offers course understanding basics in how to use a sewing machine, making patchwork, crochet and appliqué and even upholstery. Course dates
When the social initiative ReTweed had booked a workshop with D&A, the team was looking for sewing ideas for sellable items to support the social initiative’s funding. In a day’s workshop Amanda, D&A Senior Tailor, demonstrated to a small team of ReTweed trainers how to tailor a tie. To pass on the instructions she had prepared a step-by-step guide document for participants to take home. It explained in detail how of to establish a pattern. How to cut the fabric considering the fabric grain and how to finish a tie. ReTweed, we hope you create many beautiful ties and they will sell well.
‘We really enjoyed the session and learnt a lot! It was great working together and find solutions. We loved the D&A workroom experience.’ – ‘We enjoyed it too, ReTweed!’