30 university students on a study trip to learn about sustainable practices joined FCL's Darning for Sneakers workshop on a balmy morning at the
Amsterdam House of Arts & Crafts.
We kicked off the day with an introduction to the challenges in the footwear industry and the power of DIY repair. We then jumped right into practicing darning mesh fabric. Because of its layered structure, mesh fabric, which is often used for sneakers, can be more difficult to darn than typical woven or knitted fabric. This is why in today's workshop, we began by practicing on a large-pore layered mesh fabric to understand the steps of darning. Once you understand the mechanism of darning, you can apply it to your own sneakers back home!
Students also took a deep dive into sneaker anatomy with Isabel during the session. We ended the morning with a tour of the workshop venue, Amsterdam House of Arts & Crafts, which houses machinery and tools for shoemaking and is a vital hub for independent shoemakers and upcyclers in Amsterdam.
