Kate Jaeger shares how sustainability is at the core of the curriculum as Norland prepares to host Sustainable Fashion Week
16 September 2024
Sewing Lecturer Kate Jaeger discusses her path to Norland, how sewing forms an essential part of teaching a sustainable life skill to Norland students, and why Norland is hosting the Bath Hub for Sustainable Fashion Week 2024.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about how you came to be part of the sewing lecturing team at Norland?
My name is Kate Jaeger. I am a Senior Lecturer and Charities and Communities Manager at Norland and teach the sewing course alongside my colleague Jo Price. It was a fortunate coincidence that we both ended up teaching sewing here years after completing our fashion design degrees. Remarkably, we both studied at the same university in Nottingham and, although we were studying at similar times and both interested in sustainable fashion, being in different years meant our paths never crossed.
Working together is incredible. We are cut from the same cloth, with shared passions for sewing and passing on this valuable life skill. Both of us bring a wealth of experience from our careers in fashion, costume, teaching and community engagement to our roles at Norland, and feel privileged to be able to share the skills we have with our students.
How have both of your careers led you to teach sewing at Norland and revive this important lifelong skill?
After leaving university, both Jo and I pursued various avenues to explore our passion and skills in sewing in creative industries. We both worked in the fashion industry, and I also worked for many years as a costumier. Eventually we both transitioned into teaching, feeling it was our mission in life to teach people how to sew.
Sewing has not always been as popular as it is now. Fewer children have learnt to sew as a mandatory part of their education as it has often been removed from the core curriculum and offered only as an elective subject. This has meant that sewing skills have been heavily reliant on being passed down through the generations and, as such, many people have missed out on this essential skill. Fortunately, Jo and I had family members who owned and kindly leant their sewing machines, offering words of wisdom and cups of tea as we endeavoured to fashion our latest designs and begin our lifelong love of stitching.
Image shows Kate on location in Kenya filming The Constant Gardener.
How does your passion for sewing shape the teaching approach at Norland?
There is something profoundly rewarding about supporting our students to develop a new skill so that they can realise their creative ideas. Sewing is more than just a skill; it’s a creative outlet and a powerful form of self-expression. It is also a practical ability that can be incredibly empowering, allowing individuals to create, mend and personalise their world.
Jo and I love sewing because it combines creativity with practicality. Whether it’s creating clothes, accessories, decorations, for ourselves or others, every creation reignites our passion.
These shared interests have shaped our approach to teaching sewing at Norland, where we strive to create a supportive and engaging learning environment. We believe that having the confidence to ‘have a go’ and ‘express yourself ‘is more important than achieving perfection in sewing.
Teaching sewing is about more than just transferring knowledge. It’s about inspiring creativity, fostering patience, and building a sense of community. We believe that sewing is a valuable life skill that everyone should have the opportunity to learn, and we’re committed to making that happen at Norland and in the wider community.
Sewing has been taught at Norland for over 132 years, since the first students enrolled in September 1892, and Jo and I are proud to continue the legacy and be part of a community that values the art of sewing and the importance of sustainable practices.
In today’s world, where sustainability is more important than ever, Jo and I are dedicated to integrating sustainable practices into our teaching. For our students, we emphasise the importance of using what you need, exploring making things from upcycled fabrics, and creating lasting, quality items that will be enjoyed for generations.
How is sustainable practice integrated into the sewing skills that Norland students learn?
A practical and creative sewing programme provides students with a valuable life skill, enabling them to create items for children and settings. Our students learn machine and hand sewing techniques to construct their designs as well as garment care skills such as washing, mending, altering and repairing. We encourage embracing sustainability through reusing and upcycling fabrics for projects, prioritising existing materials over new purchases.
As our students prepare to work with children, they develop sewing skills aimed at creating projects that encourage children to engage in learning, creating, playing and exploring, integrating what they learn across all aspects of their studies at Norland.
Jo and I are passionate about teaching and inspiring our students, helping them develop skills that will serve them throughout their lives. Sewing is a life skill that fosters creativity, sustainability, and a sense of accomplishment, and we are delighted to be able to share our love for sewing with the next generation.
Why is Norland hosting the sustainable Fashion Week hub, and why did you choose to get involved in the project?
Sustainability is a key focus for us, and we have recently launched a staff and student Green Team to address the environmental challenges that we all face at home and at work. We feel that Norland being a hub for Sustainable Fashion Week aligns with our goal of bringing the community together to raise awareness, as well as sharing our knowledge and skills. As the sewing lecturers at Norland, both Jo and I have always rooted our work in sustainability, so having the opportunity to host activities for all ages as part of this national event is incredibly exciting for us as a team, and for Norland.
To get tickets for our Sustainable Fashion Week events on Saturday 28 September, visit our eventbrite pages. Proceeds from the events will go to supporting sustainability focused charities Fashion Revolution and Labour Behind the Label.
Stitch and Print: Upcycle Your Wardrobe workshop for children
Repair Together creative workshop
Clothes Swap and Style with sustainable stylist Becky Barnes
