Talk ‘n’ Textiles workshops teach participants how to weave, creating space to build community.
Story and video by Indyanna Vanderlaan, Social Media and Communications Assistant
January 29, 2025Can weaving old scraps of fabric into new cloth also help weave together diverse communities in the Downtown Eastside?
It can certainly help different people learn from each other and build relationships, which seems a good place to start.
That’s part of what happened in a workshop series called Talk ‘n’ Textiles last fall at the UBC Learning Exchange.
Over the course of a few weeks and with the help of local weaver Corrina Hammond, who also donated a loom, community members learned how to craft new rugs out of old materials. Following Corrina’s philosophy around reuse, participants brought in fabrics and worn clothing too sentimental to just discard and too threadbare to donate with dignity, giving them new life in a shared tapestry now displayed at the Learning Exchange.
And they shared stories.
Rachael Barton-Bridges, the Animating Connections Coordinator at the Learning Exchange, helped plan the workshops to be a comfortable place where people could share as they learned.
“What surprised me was how easily these stories came to the surface. This pile of textiles that appeared very unassuming held so many memories, and having the space to share those memories and to weave both the fabrics and the stories together created really meaningful connections. It’s really powerful to see those rugs on display now, as a tangible representation of community coming together.”
Sherry Kaiway’s story in the video above is one example. In it she shares her connection to the fabric she brought in—a slip from the historic Modernize Tailors—and how it relates to her experience growing up in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
Arts-based activities are key to the Learning Exchange approach to adult education and student learning. Evidence indicates this approach creates an inclusive environment where people can connect with each other and gain confidence.
For UBC students who participate through volunteer and work opportunities, connecting with people in the Downtown Eastside in such an environment can support their academic learning and influence their career goals.
To join similar workshops, volunteer, or learn more about the Learning Exchange, go to our website. To donate to the Learning Exchange, go here.