In the late 1890s, women embraced cycling & transformed their clothing to be able to ride safely in shorter skirts or bloomers, & breathe more easily without corsets. This was a revolutionary transformation sparking a significant backlash, that also helped fuel the suffrage movement.
As part of our exploration of the pioneering heritage of women & cycling, we’re thinking about how perceptions of cycling clothing today – lycra, helmet hair etc – discourage women & girls from riding bicycles.
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SBS is running a series of free talks & sewing workshops to Re-Imagine, Re-Frame & Re-Make women’s clothing for cycling or any time.
Come & transform preloved clothes – repairs or making them fit; transforming them completely adding splashes of colour or different fabrics; merging two or more completely different items in chaotic experiment. We’re also creating a dressing up box of bloomers upcycled from men’s shirts, to tour alongside the Sussex Blazing Saddles exhibition.
Get involved in the next planning sessions in Newhaven & Brighton to help us develop what we will do in each location. Coming up:
NEWHAVEN, an initial, open planning session to be followed by two days of making sessions
- 22 May, Hillcrest Community Centre, Newhaven 6pm-8pm
BEXHILL, two making & upcycling sessions. BOOK HERE, drop in or stay the whole day:
- 1 June, with Community Supporters, at the Eco Hub, Western Road, Bexhill – 10.30am-12.30pm & 1pm-3pm
- 10 May, with Community Supporters, at the Eco Hub, Western Road Bexhill, 10.30am-12.30pm & 1pm-3pm
BRIGHTON, initial planning session & two days of making dates tbc
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Have a look at the images below to find out more about the project so far
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This element of the Sussex Blazing Saddles project started in February 2024 with two conversations in Worthing & Bexhill. Local people came to hear about the project, help us develop ideas & frame how we might work together.
The initial sessions took place in:
Worthing – Saturday 24 February 1.30-3pm at the Stitch It Don’t Ditch It session at CREW, Climate Resilience Centre, Worthing, 8-9 South Stree, Worthing, BN11 3AL, &
Bexhill – Monday 26 February 1.30-3pm at Bexhill Museum, 47 Egerton Road, Bexhill, TN39 3HL
Following this, we ran:
A FREE, all day or drop in workshop at CREW (Climate Resilience Centre Worthing) 8-9 South St, BN11 3AL on Saturday 13 April, 11am-4pm
Next up:
Two sessions in Bexhill with Community Supporters on 1st June & 10th June & one more tbc. More info soon
Please contact infoatsussexblazingsaddles.co.uk for more information
