At Wastebusters, we’re constantly blown away by our Repair Revolution volunteers. Their passion and generosity are what make these events so special. We’ve shared some of their stories before, and this time it’s the turn of sewing volunteer Lorna Schmidt, who’s been helping keep treasures in use since our very first event.
Lorna’s journey is full of lovely stories, from winning a doll-dressing competition at just eight years old, to paving the way in New Zealand’s outdoor clothing industry with the likes of Jan Cameron (Alp Sports, later founder of Kathmandu) and Bruce MacIntyre of MacPac, to guiding a 12-year-old through his very first repair. We asked her a few questions about her journey, and she was kind enough to share them with us.
What inspired you to begin volunteering at the Wastebusters Repair Revolution?
I’ve been a big fan of Wasties as long as I’ve been here. Anyone who makes, repairs, repurposes is a friend of mine. As soon as the Repair Cafes started, I was in.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering at these events?
The fun. Repairing is fun. I feel so at home with people that know value, what works and who just get on with it. My hope is that the knowledge of and respect for, repair and refurbishment reaches critical mass within my lifetime.
What got you into sewing in the first place?
It’s in the blood really, Mum used to sew for all us Little Nippers. She had a Singer Treadle and I was mesmerised by its cast-iron frame sound as you ‘treadled’, and the sky was the limit as to what could be made on it. The real limit was what I could get with my pocket-money. I started when I was 8 years old (that makes it 70 years I have been sewing) in Third Grade, and Mrs. Brown, my teacher, asked if I wanted to enter a doll-dressing competition that was for the 4th and 5th-Graders. That worked out, I won Two-and-Sixpence!
As pocket money was calculated at Threepence per year of age, I needed to save up to buy remnants that took my fancy, then get them home and work out what I was going to make. Remnants were relatively cheap as they are roll-ends, not enough fabric to use a standard pattern for. So that’s how I started designing and pattern-making, working out how the cuts needed to be for minimum or no wastage.
Of course hand-me-downs weren’t my size or had rips in them, so away I went inventing how to turn things into “designer creations from Paris”! Note: Sewing skills were very lucrative through student years.
When I had a school-age family, I grabbed up some outdoor gear I had made, went to see Jan Cameron of what was Alp Sports then, and she got me onboard designing and making patterns for manufacture of items she saw a market for. Later Bruce MacIntyre of MacPac got onto me to design and pattern-make for his company. I was the first in New Zealand to design a Ladies-Fit Range. I smile now as I still recognise nods to my designs currently on the racks.
Why is repairing what we have so important?
I have always repaired items. Often, I feel quite indignant at the Commercial Creep that has eroded the concept of value in some people. But the “Right To Repair Bill” that has just gone through, and the worldwide repair movement is picking up momentum, fantastic!
What’s been your favourite item you’ve repaired at these events?
My favourite would be a work pullover, and I didn’t repair it. A young lad, about 12 years old, did. I guided him to replace a broken zipper on his Dad’s favourite warm pullover. He had never sewn a thing, but he was up for it. The result was so good, only he, his Mum & Dad knew it had been repaired. Mum had round eyes & Dad was pleased as punch, I heard later. The Luggate lad is walking tall.
Thank you, Lorna
Wastebusters Repair Revolution has always been about people — those who give their time, those who share their skills, and those who bring along their broken treasures with hope. It’s also about valuing what we love and keeping things in circulation. Lorna is one of many volunteers who make it happen, and we couldn’t be more thankful.
If this sounds like something you’re passionate about, there’s always a spot at the table for more fixers and makers. Our volunteer form is always open.
