NEEDLEWORK novices and seasoned sewers alike turned junk into treasure at a free ‘upcycling’ class in Bolton.

Upcycling is the art of repairing, restoring and altering pre-owned clothing and fabric to make something completely new.

At the three-hour recycled sewing masterclass at Bolton Central Library on Sunday participants learned how to make a creative customised bag for life from old cushion covers, curtains and bed sheets.

The 22 attendees got to grips with sewing machines and learned make do and mend skills such as how to hem, appliqué, patch and alter. The free classes – which were first held across the region last year and returned this autumn due to popular demand – are run by upcycled outfitter Junk Shop.

Charlotte Keyworth and Janine Obermaier from the Northern Quarter boutique have been promoting the art of thrifty fixing on behalf of Recycle for Greater Manchester.

Janine, a manager at Junk Shop, said: “As of next year people are going to have to start paying for plastic bags – so we are helping people hit the ground running with their own bags for life.

“Every stage of making the bag we have related to making clothing alterations, so that people are learning different transferable skills and feel confident to start making alterations to their clothes."

Across Greater Manchester we buy 90,000 tonnes of clothing each year, simultaneously throwing away 60,000 tonnes of textiles.

This means more than £140 million worth of clothing ends up in landfill every year.

Showing off her new bag for life was Placia Augustine, from Horwich. The 54-year-old said: “I could already sew but I have learned a lot and gained a lot of experience and confidence.”

Sally Leyland, from Ladybridge, first attended a Junk Shop course at their shop and plans to ask for the next set of training as a Christmas present.

Mrs Leyland, aged 40, said: “I am short, so I hem things, but apart from that I didn’t have much experience.”

More classes will take place across Greater Manchester at the St John’s Centre in Old Trafford on Wednesday between 6pm and 9pm, Rochdale Central Library between 2pm and 5pm on Friday and at Manchester Quaker Centre in the city centre between 1.30pm and 4.30pm on Saturday.

For more information: call 0161 238 8517 or go to recycleforgreatermanchester.com/sew