Maggie Sprouse
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I have always been interested in making my own clothing. As a kid, I attended a summer camp where I was taught how to sew for several years in a row. I started by sewing clothes for my dolls, then by making purses, then I eventually began to make pieces that I would wear to school. As I got older, I developed an interest in sustainability. I am always looking for ways to incorporate sustainable habits into my life (I have been a vegetarian for over 6 years!) and this is how I became interested in thrift shopping and altering/upcycling clothing. During the process of coming up with an idea for a capstone project, I was excited to find out that Vijay and I shared these interests. Teaching this workshop was a great distraction from my computer science classes, and working with Vijay and my peers made the process a lot of fun. I am thankful for him, our students, and everyone else that made this workshop a possibility!
Vijay Vanathayan
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Although clothing alteration hasn't been a hobby of mine for very long, it's quickly become one of my favorites. I love the idea that your own trash can become your own treasure. Many of these skills have prevented me from throwing away countless garments that have so much potential. Being a bioengineering major, I've always been passionate about the environment and sustainability, and this project was the perfect opportunity to find the intersection between two passions of mine. I've had a lot of fun leading this workshop and even more fun meeting and having conversations with all of the students who were a part of it. I'm thankful to everyone who made this project possible, especially Maggie who couldn't have been a better partner!