Scary Stitch: a Mend in Protest Halloween Special

The reality of Halloween is pretty scary! According to the environmental charity Hubbub: 

• An estimated 7 million Halloween costumes are thrown away every year, contributing to 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste. That’s the same as 83 million plastic bottles!  
• More than 39 million families dress up for Halloween in the UK and 90% of families buy new costumes every year.  
• The majority of these costumes (69%) are made up of polyester, a fabric made from oil-based plastic. 
• Forty per cent of costumes are only worn once before being thrown into landfill. 

We think these statistics are much more terrifying than any costume could be, which is why we’d like you to create a Halloween costume with a difference! 

Bring a garment with you to decorate – like a t-shirt, jumper or jacket – and together we’ll draw, patch, stencil or stitch these spooky Halloween stats onto our garments as a protest against fashion waste.  

If you don’t have a garment to decorate, you can choose one from our rail of unloved clothing (but please consider making a small donation to cover the costs of this, if you’re able to). 

This is a drop-in session, with basic materials provided. This workshop is suitable for all ages, but children must be accompanied. As it involves sewing and small objects, this workshop may not be suitable for very young children, but they are still welcome to join us.     

Cost: Pay what you can (suggested donation £3), drop-in

Recommended age: 7+

Brought to you by We Wear the Trousers, the University of East Anglia and Norwich Research Park. 

About We Wear the Trousers

We Wear The Trousers is a not-for-profit organisation aimed at empowering people to keep clothing in active use for longer. This not only reduces the overall environmental impact of our wardrobes, but also teaches us to think differently about the clothes we wear, and how we use them.

We believe that through engagement, education and events, we can transform our relationships with our clothing from the current, unfulfilling Fast Fashion paradigm, to something much more meaningful.

About the University of East Anglia

Tackling global challenges, striving for student and staff success, and creating a vibrant and inclusive environment, the University of East Anglia is an anchor institution in the Norwich and Norfolk community. See what makes UEA special and plan your visit at https://uea.ac.uk/visit/2021-open-days.