Hailing from the small town of Thames, Coromandel, Sarah Lancaster’s mother not only taught her to sew, but to garden, recycle and to live harmoniously with the land. Inspired by a mission to encourage others to live creatively, ethically and ecologically, Sarah packed a suitcase and headed for the big city to make Sew Love Tea Do a reality. Now, the mobile sewing workshop that can pop up anywhere, has found a home, in St Kevin’s Arcade on Auckland’s quirky and vibrant K Road.

The Sew Love sewing lounge is set up to provide savvy seamstresses and newbies with the space, tools and guidance they need to learn some crafty skills in a sewcial environment. What binds the seams of Sew Love Tea Do are the good old fashioned values our Grandma's used to teach us. From mending and making do to recycled fabric projects, Sew Love Tea Do aims to reduce textile waste in New Zealand and inspire more conscious consumerism in a fun filled colourful way.

‘Upcycling is an affordable and enjoyable way to live with environmental and ethical values at heart, to re-use and treasure things of the past. Through the Sew Love sewing lounge my aim is to encourage others to up skill themselves, and love every moment of it.’ –Sarah Lancaster

The sewing lounge, the first of its kind for New Zealand, is popping up for three months, and longer if it is loved. It is open for anyone to drop in and rent time on a sewing machine with tools and advice at the ready. Workshops are available for people of all levels of sewing ability. From Crafternoons for kids at 3.30, evening and weekend workshops on patterns, stamp carving, knitting, darning, cushions and totes plus Sew a Skirt or Simple Top and Sew From Scratch courses, every workshop provides an opportunity to get creative, learn and have fun.

‘A passion for up-cycling - saving textiles from landfill and re-using every fabric scrap to create something new - has seen Sarah Lancaster develop a community of like-minded individuals championing a future of sustainable fashion.’ –Viva, New Zealand Herald

‘Sarah is a creative, enthusiastic and extremely talented teacher. Her commitment to loving the planet whilst creating a fantastically unique home and wardrobe is inspiring.’– Jo Cole (Student)

‘Her wealth of knowledge and good fun attitude made every class a blast…I loved every second. Now everyone is getting handmade presents for Christmas, upcycled of course.’ – Chloe Baxter (Student)

Sew Love, Shop 16, St Kevin's Arcade, K'Rd. Open 7 days. Weekdays: 10-6pm, Weekends: 10-4pm.