Programming
Our programs serve as a platform within the Rust Belt Fibershed to advance social mobility, creative arts, and circular sustainability in Cleveland, OH.
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Community Classes
We offer a range of programs for use by the public, businesses, and workforce development partners. Our program areas are focused on education, employment, and environmental impact within the Rust Belt Fibershed ecosystem.
Personal sewing basics
These evening classes are offered on select weekday evenings between 6:00p-8:30p for learning home sewing skills. Supplies and sewing machines are provided for your use in a course-long project of your choosing. Open to anyone and everyone!
Other workshops
These are shorter workshops focused on specific textile and fabric skills. Supplies are provided. Open to anyone and everyone!
Industrial Sewing & Production Training
Our flagship program offers a 4-week intensive in Industrial Sewing available to anyone interested in developing their employable skills, creative arts, and entrepreneurship aspirations. For those seeking stable employment opportunities, we offer a production apprenticeship after successful completion of the 4-week industrial sewing intensive. Apprenticeship is offered through Open Threads and partnering manufacturers, where participants will receive hands-on experience in a production floor environment. Scholarships are available for this program, and full-tuition coverage is available for barrier-to-employment individuals, immigrants, and refugees.
Creative Reuse
The textile industry is one of the largest polluting and greenhouse gas-emitting industries. We believe we can make a difference at a regional level that serves people and the planet. We achieve this through upcycling donated/deadstock textiles and innovating with our community partners to develop processes that can upcycle and recycle an increasing volume of textile waste.
Textile Thrift Shop
Deadstock and donated textiles are used in our sewing programs by students, and are available to the public for purchase at a flat rate of $2/yd.
Upcycling & Recycling
Turning textile waste into a commercial product and innovating with partners on emerging processes for textile recycling.
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