Free master class “Let’s give things a second life!” organized by Liepāja State Technical University together with the company “Liepāja RAS”.
It was attended by interested people from the outside, as well as 1st year students of the technical school, who are learning the profession of dress making and style specialist.
Beds for dogs and cats were made either from a knitted or knitted sweater brought, which is no longer worn on a daily basis, or from locally available textiles.
“I was pleasantly surprised by how smoothly it went,” recalls D. Malyavkina, because no prior sewing skills were necessary.
All of them did well on the first go.
“Everyone was happy, I heard that after that they will also make it at home. Because we took these particular ones to “Liberta”. Therefore, there is a double joy.”
Outlining the process of making the beds, D. Malyavkina says: “We made the cuttings on the spot. A very simplified version – the basis is a circle on which to build the sides of the bed. Everyone cut it out, and I, in turn, checked whether the required measurements roughly corresponded. And then we started sewing.”
A ready result can be reached in an hour and a half, D. Malyavkina estimates. “But if there are more people, then it usually takes longer, because you have to talk with one here, with another… We got through it in about three hours.”
The beds are warm and soft because they are filled with sintepon. It has been allocated to the technical department by companies that themselves no longer need this material. “It’s also recycled because it’s scraps.”
D. Malyavkina encouraged sewing a bed for animals, she herself had sewn one for her dog earlier. “It can be done quickly and there is added value at the same time,” she explains.
“The dog liked it, he liked to sleep in it.
Very light, soft and, not least, easy to wash. If it’s not too big, put it in the washing machine and use it again.”
When asked what material such a bed should not be made of, D. Malyavkina mentions only artificial leather.
“The animal will probably sweat in it, and as we already know, the layer of artificial leather crumbles quickly. These particles can fall into the animal’s feathers. I don’t think that would be good. Denim is a very durable material, lasts a long time, and it’s cotton, so it’s breathable.”
“We wanted to draw attention to environmental protection as well as animal welfare issues.
On a daily basis, it often happens to see the environmental consequences of overconsumption and not thinking about the importance of processes in the long term,”
“Liepājas RAS” representative Liāna Palma explains the involvement.
“We decided to donate the beds in order to please the animals living in “Liberta”. Unfortunately, the “out of sight, out of mind…” attitude does not only apply to garbage – it also affects animals who need to be cared for and loved.
The aim of the master class was to draw attention to these current problems in our society, as well as to remind that everyone can get involved to make the world a better place.”
Lessons are also planned in the future, where it will be possible to create a new product from the existing resources or improve it, using imagination and creativity.
The sewing workshops of the Liepāja State Technical University have professional sewing machines, and when the students are not using them, the educational institution gives the opportunity to others.
“Why should it be empty and quiet here in the evenings if there are resources,” says teacher Ligita Reimane.
