Ruapehu designer off-cuts help premature babies

Ohakune designer Janelle Hinch will be teaching people about making ethical fashion choices and how to make a baby hat using merino off-cuts from her Opus Fresh label. Photo/Supplied

Ruapehu District Council invites anyone interested in sustainability, ethical fashion and babies to attend the next waste minimisation workshop in the textile room at Ruapehu College.

Waste minimisation educator Emily Jasmine said that she expects a lot of interest in the workshop to be run by Ohakune fashion designer Janelle Hinch.

Hinch will be talking about ethical fashion choices while teaching people how to make baby hats from merino off-cuts from her Opus Fresh label.

"I'm really looking forward to this workshop which aligns with Opus Fresh values of inspiring and activating others to care for people and the environment," she says.

"It will be a lot of fun and an opportunity for people to learn about different fabrics, their origin and impact on the environment, and pick up practical sewing skills while helping with making a baby hat for their own baby, someone they know or the Wellington neo-natal unit.

"People shouldn't worry if they don't have great sewing skills or abilities as with multiple steps involved including cutting the fabric, ironing and sewing there is something for everyone to have a go at."

Hinch said that for some time we have been using the merino off-cuts from Opus Fresh production to make tiny little hats for the premature babies in the Wellington neonatal ward.

"Unfortunately we do not have the time or resources to turn all of the off cuts into baby hats so we are wanting to teach other people how to do it."

University studies have proven that babies sleeping in merino put on weight faster, sleep better and cry and wake less than with any other fabric.

Babies cannot regulate their own temperature and so wearing merino helps to do it for them.

"People can make a merino baby hat for whoever they like but we love the idea of giving them to the neo-natal ward as they need all the help they can get," said Hinch.

The workshop will start at 5.30pm on Monday, March 25 and anyone who wishes to attend should register their interest on the event post on the council's Facebook page or call Emily Jasmine on 027 203 1247.