This collaborative patchwork project involved a specialised training and employment workshop series, for participants accessing the Women's & Girls' Emergency Centre (WAGEC). WAGEC is a non government, charitable organisation creating safe futures and enduring change for women and families who are experiencing homelessness, domestic and family violence and systemic disadvantage.

Over a ten week period, participants learnt industrial sewing and micro-enterprise skills, exploring patchwork techniques and their application for garments, accessories, and giftware. This training was conducted on site in The Social Outfit's manufacturing workroom in Newtown.

“The Social Outfit is providing our clients with an immensely valuable opportunity to gain new skills, build their confidence, and increase their exposure to the Australian workforce. This partnership work focuses on increasing women's social, emotional and financial capacity.”

Helen Silvia, CEO

One of Australia's most beloved fashion icons, Linda Jackson, joined us to share experiences from her 50+ years in the textile industry, as well as impart some of the techniques she uses in creating her signature patchwork pieces.

The patchwork collection includes garments created collaboratively by workshop participants and The Social Outfit's sewing technicians, as well as accessories and giftware created independently by workshop participants.

All pieces will be available for sale in the Women's Enterprise Marketplace, in store from October 2017 as part of the Kaleido-cloth Spring/Summer 2018 collection.

All images by Georgia Blackie.