Meet Wendy Skinner at SewGreen

Wendy and staff inside SewGreen

Meet Wendy Skinner at SewGreen 

Ithaca is known for its sustainability efforts, and Wendy Skinner is among downtown’s many business owners who are leading the way on both fronts. Skinner is the founder and director of SewGreen, an upcycle-focused sewing shop. 

Wendy Skinner poses with a selection of homemade, handcrafted cloth face masks.

Her passion to push for further sustainability in the community started more than 15 years ago, before SewGreen developed into a business. Skinner organized a one-time sale of donated materials with the goal of gauging local

interest in buying pre-owned (not necessarily pre-used) material. To her surprise, dozens of people showed up and all the materials sold out a single day. On that day and ever since it was clear to Skinner that the demand for second-hand materials and the community it fosters is highly desirable in and around Ithaca. 

SewGreen was created in 2007, in response to perceived and frequently expressed needs for gently used items. Precursors included several local reuse fashion contests and shows in 2005 and 2006 under ReImagine Fashion. In organizing these events, it became evident to Skinner that reuse and DIY fashion were on the rise.

SewGreen’s three-fold mission and purpose are to mainstream and model sustainable practices; provide affordable community education open to all; and empower youth to develop life skills.

Sustainability at SewGreen 

  • Reusable materials: SewGreen has an incredible selection of silk, linen, wool, cotton, and textiles from all over the world. Most of the materials were donated for reuse. They are clean, measured, and priced below market value. 
  • Buy reuse: SewGreen carries Eileen Fisher Renew apparel. 
  • Learn how to sew: At SewGreen sewing camp, participants learn how to hand-sewn their own clothing, blankets, decor, and more using gently used and preowned materials.
  • Denim Rescue: SewGreen will take any unwanted denim clothing for upcycling. Items must be clean, but holes and tears are okay. 
  • Sewing machine tune-ups and repairs: Got an older sewing machine? Keep it! SewGreen can help it last longer with a tune-up and minor repairs. If you need a new device, IthacaSews sells several Janome sewing machines. The machines are well-built, reliable, and easy to use. The high quality and 25-year warranty assure decades of service.

Skinner estimated that the store saves about 30 tons of usable materials from going to landfills each year through these and other methods.

Additionally, Skinner set out early in her shop’s development to diversify her staff and conduct outreach with younger people. Through this effort, she’s created “tiered mentoring,” a system in which people who grew up learning at the store will, once they reach a certain age, be able to effectively pass their lessons to younger generations to help them learn, too.

To find out more about Wendy and her popular reuse shop on N. Cayuga Street, visit https://www.sewgreen.org.

 

The Faces of Downtown Ithaca

Some say the best referrals come from trusted family and friends. In Downtown Ithaca, quality recommendations often come from speaking directly to our hospitable downtown business owners and managers. Afterall, who knows their business best than the business owner themselves.

Welcome to Faces of Downtown Ithaca where we’ll give you an insider’s look at downtown’s shops, let you meet your shopkeepers, and restaurateurs who provide this area with some of the finest shopping, dining, and attractions that the Finger Lakes Region has to offer.

Not only do these folks work here, but they also dine, shop, and play here. Many of them also live here, too! This is their Downtown Ithaca and now, they are sharing some of their histories with you.

#facesofdowntownithaca