Aelita's Attic

With an intrinsic sense of fairness and background in both International development and Environmental science Jo Hume formed Aelitas Attic in the Summer of 2011. Accessories, clothes and bunting are made from unwanted textiles using vintage sewing machines in the World Heritage Site Cromford Mills. Jo runs the local Transition Textile group, encou... raging the transfer of heritage skills from older generations and is working to establish learning relationships between community groups here and in Tanzania. The group works together on local community projects as well as helping people take their first steps or explore and develop new techniques. We use unwanted fabrics, second hand sewing machines, vintage knitting needles, freecycled wool, charity shop denim and belts, vintage material, leather scraps.... you name it, we use it. We comply with the zero waste philosophy. We didn't learn sewing at school and we didn't pick it up along the way. We think it's important that we learn how to make do and mend, and other heritage skills from people who have been doing it all their lives and can share their knowledge, so we can pass it on too. Whether here in Derbyshire, or in the foothills of Kilimanjaro, we think it's important to support enterprising people.Read More