Embark on a two-week fashion design journey, starting with the basics and culminating in sustainable creations! Week one, "First Steps in Fashion," will cover the essentials of sewing: learn to operate a sewing machine, understand and use patterns (and even create your own!), and explore a variety of stitches. You'll put your skills to the test by making your own garment. Week two, "Upcycled Fashion," dives into the exciting world of sustainable design. Discover how to deconstruct, reconstruct, and alter existing garments to create unique and stylish pieces. Learn textile manipulation and embellishment techniques to transform old clothes into fashionable new designs.

For Rising 6th-12th Graders

Dates: July 21 - August 1, 9AM to 12PM

Instructors:

First Steps: Savannah Shanley (she/her) joined the Mixxer staff as Events Manager in May of 2023 after graduating from Salem College. She loves all kinds of creative mediums including painting and printmaking but her biggest passion is the art of quiltmaking and fiber arts. She loves helping others to learn and share their creativity with the world. Stop by to say hello whenever you're at Mixxer!

Upcycled Fashion: June Jones, Mixxer Sewing Team Lead, will share her expertise throughout both weeks. All tools and materials are provided, and lunch is included. 

Unleash your inner engineer and build your own battle bot! This exciting two-day workshop, led by experienced robotics coach Precious McKoy, will introduce you to the world of robotics and engineering.

You'll learn essential skills like soldering, coding, and electronics to design and construct your own battle bot. You'll also explore the principles of mechanical design and learn how to build a sturdy robot that can withstand the rigors of battle.

Whether you're a budding engineer or a seasoned maker, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to learn new skills, have fun, and create something truly unique. Let's build, code, and battle! All tools and materials will be provided, and lunch will be included.

For Rising 6th-12th Grade

Date/Time: July 21-25, 9AM to 3PM

Instructor: Precious McKoy, Educator and Coach of the Shield First Robotics Team

Instructor Bio: Precious McKoy is a dedicated educator and passionate advocate for STEM education. As the Founder and Executive Director of the SHIELD Mentor Program, she has been instrumental in inspiring and empowering young minds. Through SHIELD, she has spearheaded robotics teams that have competed at the highest levels of FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), showcasing the incredible potential of young people.

Precious's commitment to fostering creativity, innovation, and diversity in STEM education has made a significant impact on the community. She is dedicated to providing students with hands-on learning experiences that equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the 21st century.

Discover the art of sustainable fashion and learn how to upcycle existing garments into unique and stylish pieces. This course will teach you the techniques of deconstruction, reconstruction, and alteration to create one-of-a-kind clothing items.

You'll learn to:

Deconstruct garments into usable materials

Design and pattern-making techniques

Sewing and stitching techniques

Textile manipulation and embellishment

Upcycling techniques like refashioning and repurposing

By the end of the course, you'll have the skills to transform old clothes into new, stylish pieces, reducing waste and expressing your individuality through sustainable fashion.All tools and materials will be provided, and lunch will be included.

For Rising 6th - 12th Grade Students

Date/Time: July 28 - August 1, 9AM to Noon

Instructor: June Jones, Mixxer Sewing Team Lead

Instructor Bio: MIXXER's own June Jones has been sharing her expertise and knowledge to members and offering a friendly hand in all their sewing projects. June has been sewing for as long as she can remember. Having had an established career as an electronics technician and running a business focused on sewing machine repairs, June can skillfully assess your project and give you guidance to help you achieve your vision.