This is a 2-day workshop. All classes run 9 – 4 pm each day with lunch included from 12 – 1 pm.
Explore the art of reclaiming and repurposing textiles to transform fabric scraps into unique, layered compositions that celebrate sustainability and creativity. Participants will learn simple running stitches and traditional Sashiko techniques, discovering the Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetic that embraces transience and imperfection. Through this process, they’ll breathe new life into discarded fabrics and highlight the beauty and value of worn, threadbare pieces. This Boro-inspired approach to stitching emphasizes resilience, turning textile fragments into intricate designs that reflect resourcefulness and environmental responsibility. Each creation will tell a personal story, honouring the art of repair and the importance of reducing waste. This class offers a unique approach to creating textiles that honour materials’ histories and natural wear, providing an opportunity to reclaim fabric pieces in a meaningful, sustainable way. Layering and stitching techniques will allow each participant to build up their composition, exploring how various textures, colours, and patterns come together harmoniously, even in their imperfections.
Throughout the class, students will be encouraged to select fabric scraps that evoke personal connections or memories, adding a layer of storytelling to each piece. Whether from their own history or newly sourced materials, each fragment will be thoughtfully considered as part of a larger narrative tapestry. By the end of the course, each participant will have a small, Boro-inspired textile that’s uniquely theirs, a visual story that embraces the beauty of reuse from refuse. This workshop is perfect for artists, crafters, or anyone seeking to deepen their appreciation of sustainable art practices and the wabi-sabi aesthetic.
Price: $420
This price includes: tuition, daily lunch, material fees (if required), any applicable taxes and is listed in Canadian Dollars.
Arlene Westen is a multi-disciplinary artist and instructor. Initially graduating with a Visual Arts Diploma from Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, she went on to study Tailoring Technology at NAIT and began a career in costuming for theatre. Through further study she later earned two distinct baccalaureate degrees; a Fibre Art Degree with Honors from the Alberta University of the Arts (2001) followed by a Studio Arts Degree (Honors with Great Distinction) from the University of Lethbridge (2011).
Click here to read more about ARLENE WESTENAll requests for course withdrawals and/or accommodation cancellations must be made through MISSA’s online form. Requests made in person or by phone, text or email will not be accepted.
Refunds and credits are subject to the course withdrawal and accommodation cancellation deadlines and fees outlined below. Please note, no refunds will be processed during the MISSA Summer Program.
Click HERE for the form.
Cancellations received on or before April 25, 2025 – Pre-paid tuition and supply fees will be refunded. A $50 administrative fee applies for each course withdrawal. Supply fees will be refunded in full.
Cancellations received on or before June 6, 2025 – A credit will be issued for pre-paid tuition, less a $50 administration fee per course withdrawal. Pre-paid supply fees are not eligible for refund.
Tuition credits are issued in the form of a code to be used for registration in future MISSA workshops and/or for on-campus accommodations. Credit codes may be transferred to another person. MISSA credit codes have no cash value.
Cancellations after June 6, 2025 – Course withdrawals made after this date are not eligible for refund or credit of tuition and supply fees.
On-campus accommodations may be cancelled up to 30 days prior to the first day of MISSA and pre-paid accommodation fees will be refunded, less a $50 deposit fee. Accommodation cancellations made after the deadline are not eligible for refund.
Click HERE for the form.
If you must withdraw from a course and/or cancel your accommodations due to exceptional circumstances, you may request a refund on the basis of hardship and/or compassionate grounds. All requests must be made in writing using the online form. Approval of such requests may only be made by the MISSA Board of Directors and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
$420.00
This price includes: tuition, daily lunch, material fees (if required), any applicable taxes and is listed in Canadian Dollars.
Course Registration will open for Friends of MISSA on February 21st at 12:00pm (PST), and Registration will open for all on February 28th at 12:00pm (PST)
