Things Other People Are Doing!

SAWP-O-RAMA

The DIY (do it yourself) trend is infectious, and many people are participating in events that help them learn new ways to express themselves creatively. Janome has teamed with the Swap-O-Rama-Rama to further leverage the exposure of creating garments that are uniquely "yours".

Led by founder Wendy Tremayne, the Swap-O-Rama-Rama is a DIY event held in cities across the United States. Participants recycle and transform old clothing. Admission to the event is one bag of unwanted clothing, which is placed in a pile based on category (i.e., all of the skirts in one, jackets in another, etc.) Attendees are free to choose any garment from the pile to alter and make new. Sewing stations are set up with Janome machines and designers are available to provide ideas or teach participants to make modifications and add embellishment. Everyone leaves with a "new" garment that they created!

For Wendy, the Swap is about more than just having fun - it is an attempt to reduce what she sees as the negative effects of commercialism. As she explains, "The store environment reduces intimacy. People go shopping either alone and stay alone or with a friend and they talk to them only. At Swap-O-Rama-Rama there are no mirrors. When people realize there are no mirrors, they turn to one another and say, `How do I look?' to a stranger. Then another stranger from across the room will say, `This is so you!' and hold up a garment. Minutes later I'll see the three of them at a sewing table with scissors, some glittery fabric, and a vintage dress making themselves something."

She also sees the event as a way of helping people find the courage to try something new; attendees aren't afraid to destroy and re-created a free piece of clothing, and thinking through a transformation helps the sewist to get in touch with her creativity. Additionally, many attendees have never sewn, and the Swap provides a friendly environment for them to learn some basic techniques. Wendy says, "Swap-O-Rama-Rama invites people to become creators again by introducing them to an environment in which they need not invest money in tools they've not yet tried (like sewing machines) and lets them play with the help of skilled designers, artists and silk screeners. After getting over their inhibitions with these tools and discovering their own creativity, they are launched and begin to create on their own and with people they meet through the community that forms at Swap-O-Rama-Rama."

Janome has enjoyed being at the heart of this event and many dealers from around the United States have become involved. "Having representatives from Janome at the events added a whole new level. They provide assistance, answer questions and even offer creativity. I've found that many of them are very talented. Similarly, the reps are exposed to a while new maker culture that's emerging, one that's vibrant and has a style all its own."

So catch the spirit of "Maker Culture". Use your Janome to re-create some old clothes into something new!

For more information on the event, or to host one in your area, visit www.swaporamarama.org