This autumn (September-October) we are celebrating all things reuse and upcycle with Sustainable Fashion Week, Circular Economy and Green Libraries Week.

Here in Islington there are a whole host of free events throughout autumn aimed at helping you to breathe new life into your much-loved possessions! From repair and reuse fairs, furniture and textile workshops to fashion forward clothe swaps,  there’s something for everyone.

Real nappies presentation for parents and carers

Wednesday 22 October 11am–3pm
Islington Central Library

Thought about using re-usable nappies but not quite got round to doing it? Or like the idea in principle, but worried it’ll be a faff? Join this friendly and informal demonstration and find out just how easy it can be. All welcome!

The nappy talk starts at 11am and there will be a stall until 3pm. Learn about:

• The different kinds of reusable nappies
• The newborn stage
• Washing and drying guidance
• Local nappy initiatives
• Troubleshooting advice

No need to book, just turn up. Find out more about the re-usable nappy demonstration.

Furniture and small wooden items repair and upcycle workshop

Thursday 23 October, 8.30am–3.30pm
Bush Industrial Estate, Station Road, N19 5UN 

Unleash your creativity and learn basic woodwork skills from a team of experts. As part of Circular Economy Week, Islington waste minimisation team and Islington housing repair Team are organising a free Furniture and small wooden items upcycling and repair workshop. Please book your place if you’d like to attend. Spaces are limited.

Book woodwork upcycling workshop 

Free clothes swap

Saturday 25 October, 11.30am–4pm
Islington North Library, Manor Gardens, N7 6JX

As part of Green Libraries Week, Islington libraries and the waste minimisation team have partnered with Loanhood to organise a clothes swap in North Library.

Book Islington clothes swap 

Textile repair cafe with TRAID

Monday 27 October, 2–5pm
N4 library, 26 Blackstock Road, N4 2JF

Learn how to repair your clothes and upcycle old t-shirts into bags, bracelets or keychains. Bring along one or two items of clothing in need of repair and Traid will teach you how to mend them.

Alongside the clothes repair service, there’ll be an upcycling workshop,  designed to re-use unwanted clothing and fabric. No sewing experience required and all equipment is provided. Traid will provide all the materials, or you can bring your own t-shirt or jeans if.

Book free tickets for Traid repair cafe.

Free repair and upcycling drop-in session – Halloween costume-making

Tuesday 28 October, 10am–4pm
FC Designer Collective, 113-115, Fonthill Road, N4 3HH

These drop in sessions provide informal support and advice to ensure you get the most out of your clothes – and this month is a Halloween costume-making special! The sessions run from 10am–4pm and participants can drop in throughout the day. Please bring your own items and pins, if you wish to use them.

Free repair and upcycling drop-in session tickets

Environ-menstrual workshop

Thursday 30 October, 10.30am–2pm
Central library, 2 Fieldway Crescent, N5 1PF

Calling all women for a free ‘environmenstrual’ workshop on Wednesday 30 October in Islington Central Library!

Ever wondered about the range of period products now available? Concerned about the health and environmental impacts of so many single use disposables? Feeling a bit out of your depth when it comes to reusable period products? Attend this free workshop!

The workshop will kick off at 11am or there’ll be a stall for drop-ins 10.30am–2pm in the library foyer. The workshop will cover the period product options available and how to use and care for them. There will also be plenty of time for your questions and discussion, with follow-up resources.

Everyone who attends a workshop will get a discount code for Reduce Reuse Your Cycle from the North London Waste Authority (NLWA).

The workshops are part of a joint project with Wen (Women’s Environmental Network) and the NLWA.

Islington Fixers Repair Party

Saturday 8 November, 12pm–4pm
Islington West Library, 107 Bridgeman Road, N1 1BD

Need a hand with fixing your broken electricals and electronics? The Islington Fixers are here to help! This event focusses on skill-sharing – so as well as getting your items fixed, you’ll also play an active role in the repair itself so that you can learn the skills to carry out your own repairs in the future.

Book your tickets for the Islington Fixers Party