'Since doing the course I've bought a sewing machine'

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A group of Leicestershire women have started a new eco project to help reduce the number of unworn garments and the amount of textiles going into landfill. The 'Sew It Don't Throw It' group at St Helen's church in Ashby want to start to change the view that clothing is ‘disposable’ and encourage people to repair and alter so that items can be worn for longer and not add to household waste, to encourage people to reuse what they already have, and to recycle garments into something else. The project has been made possible by funding from Leicestershire County Council through the Shires Environmental Grant Scheme and will initially run through the spring, summer and autumn of this year and will be delivered by three retired textile tutors in a series of workshops. Reporter Sophia Hartley went along to speak with textiles teach Di Kendall at St Helen’s Community Heritage Centre in Ashby, to find out more.