Turning Waste into Wonderful Creations
Between December 2024 and January 2025, we ran The Bag Factory, a free drop-in sewing group where a community of makers came together to transform waste fabric into beautiful, functional bags.
This project had multiple aims:
👜 Reduce waste – by repurposing fabric that might otherwise be discarded.
🌍 Cut down on plastic use – by creating reusable shopping bags.
🧵 Share skills – giving attendees a chance to learn or improve their sewing.
🤝 Build connections – bringing people together through creativity.
🎉 Have fun – because sewing is more than just stitches; it’s about stories, laughter, and community.
The Bag Factory was led by Pene Reynoldson, an occupational therapist inspired by the global Boomerang Bags initiative. Her passion for upcycling and sewing made the sessions both welcoming and rewarding. She was joined by a few other talented sewers who were also on hand to share their skills and support those learning for the first time. She had good feedback from participants who were thankful for learning new skills, social connection and reporting reducing anxiety symptoms.
The fabric itself came from a generous donation by Kev Milo of Good Folks Barbers. After transforming a former fabric shop in Penzance into his barbershop, Kev passed on the leftover fabric to Pene, supporting not only this project but many other community initiatives.
Everything needed was provided at the Bag Factory, including patterns, materials, ironing boards, sewing machines, organic dried lavender and of course, plenty of fabric.
Participants were free to create whatever they wished, and the group made a lovely variety of items, for themselves, as gifts and as donations. Lots of lavender bags, lavender eye mask bags, water bottle bags, simple tote bags and more complex carry bags. Some heart-shaped pillows for post-breast surgery and post surgical drain bags were made for our local hospital St Michael’s.
In the final session, a small teepee was made, the grand finale of our last session! The teepee was great because it used loads of fabric and was simple….they are great for kids. Kids can use them for play but they are therapeutic in providing a sense of containment.
The group are keen to continue to meet up to sew, and are keen to make more of these with the leftover fabric.
Donations received during the sessions went towards purchasing a robust, reconditioned sewing machine from the Penzance Singer Sewing Centre, ensuring future sewing projects can continue.
A Huge Thank You!
The Bag Factory was made possible thanks to funding from Sedell Collins – Cornwall Community Foundation.
A massive thank you to everyone who participated, donated, and supported this wonderful initiative.
We look forward to more creative community sewing projects in the future! 🧵💛
