Little Red Hen
When I started UpSew in 2014, I was inspired by Gandhi’s words: “become the change you wish to see in the world.” For me, that meant choosing not to buy new, and instead making my own from charity shop finds. I even bought the domain to avoid pop‑up ads — I saw UpSew was a way of documenting this process and connecting with other online sew-ers and makers.
Of course, things evolve, and along with re-making, I became involved in the now-gone community sewing room in Galway, in a few pop up repair cafes, did annual free events for Fashion Revolution, and in the past few years, added sewing classes to this. Surprisingly (for me), repair workshops are always oversubscribed…. so much so, I wondered if it was possible to be more effective in the delivery of these, so I did 2 things – I reformatted the workshop so it has structured content and could be group led…. and started a Repair Cafe.
In truth, I was hoping someone else would (start one)– honestly, I really did, I even heard that one was going to… and thought – great, now I don’t have to ……. but as nothing was happening…. I figured better do it myself…..like the little Red Hen……
Of course this would be impossible on my own and thankfully some friends joined and we managed to keep it going since last September, and whatever overheads have come up for the Repair Cafe, and Agus Arís, I was funding them. So I thought we were well on our way for grant support from the council…….but sadly not – or not so far. Navigating grants has been frustrating. Applications seem to fall between stools, departments, and offices. Last week I got a call from the council telling me we didn’t qualify for one grant — despite having emailed an enquiry a month earlier with no reply. Of course when I re-sent my original email, they apologised for not answering (not much help 2 days from deadline) The whole process left me feeling like a rather cross Little Red Hen.
I honestly thought getting funding for textile waste and teaching repair would be straightforward. Sometimes I wonder if sewing and mending are still seen as “women’s work” and undervalued in grant criteria. So rather than remaining vexed I figured I should accept the ‘not ideal’ current situation and just register UpSew as a CLG — a non‑profit enterprise, and ‘get on with it’……and already I am feeling like a calmer Little Red Hen….. a Zen Hen even 😊
upsew 
It seems as though 2025 has been a year of change and not always for the better. Prices and good and services have all gotten more expensive and the quality is not what we have been used to for years. Those of us born in the 50’s have seen so much change and we have to learn to just let things go and lower our expectations. Political events and government programs do not favor the needy and compassion and empathy are in short supply. We can’t go back to the “good old days” when things were predictable and folks and stores were willing to go the extra mile to help. So we adjust our thinking and try not to use the phrase, “back in our day” when around the younger generations as we have no need to sound like old and resentful. We learn to adjust and recycle old clothes and old ways to be more modern…it’s the only way to survive these times and hope that our decendants will appreciate our contributions in the past and acceptance in the future. Wishing you a very healthy and cheery holiday season and a wonderful 2026!
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Yes….there is so much going on…. I now talk back to the TV…. a lot…… But I probably should have mentioned – the Repair Cafe does give me huge hope. There are so many young people showing up and very happy to darn socks and mend and learn…. it really is lovely…. and of course the chats are great….stitching really brings out the chats doesnt it.
Wishing you and Mr Mole a very happy Christmas and the very best for 2026.
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It totally sucks that you didn’t get a grant, and to be honest given the times we’re in, completely unforgivable on the part of the council. It’s hard not to get jaded when the rhetoric doesn’t match the actions. But I agree with your decision to forge ahead regardless. You’ll flourish without their myopic bureaucracy holding you back.
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thanks Elaine…..I was probably naive in thinking they would be falling over themselves for me so I go my wake-up call. I was also a bit ‘morto’ when one of the venues I will rent from asked who is funding this (as they loved the idea of reuse, and for the community, volunteers and free). I had to admit the repair cafe currently eimear-funded and they were shocked….it was like i was trying to subsidise a cult which i suppose i am in ways 😁…..so i ended up having to say how we would get something from the council but not for a while…..which should happen, and maybe a repair cult!
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Sounds like my kinda cult!!! I found government agencies only fund ‘shiny’ things. New things that are getting a lot of PR, whether they genuinely have any impact seems to be incidental.
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