Discarding old clothes can be difficult. For many, the goal is to keep textiles out of landfills, but how can that be accomplished?

Well, a new club at EHS offers a solution.

The recycled fashion club held its first meeting in room D120 on Jan. 10. Sophomore Katelyn Smith created the club as a way to merge her passion for sewing and her desire to help the community.

“I started sewing when I was really little,” Smith said. “I also just found some new research that women’s shelters are in need of some help, especially after Covid.”

Smith says the club’s first project is to gather old clothes from students and turn them into new creations, starting with blankets, quilts and pillows for local women’s shelters.

The meeting consisted of Smith explaining the club’s mission to its members as well as placing donation bins for old clothes around the schools. All clothes the club receives will be used to sew upcycled products.

This may cause some to question if knowing how to sew is required to join the club. Luckily, Smith has some answers.

“This is open to anyone,” Smith said. “And we’re also going to have a teaching session soon [at the next meeting].”

Learning to sew is what attracted the club’s media officer, sophomore Kaitlyn Lemanski.

“I have always wanted to learn how to sew,” Lemanski said. “ I am hoping to learn… and to help others in the community.”

As media officer, Lemanski is responsible for any advertisement and social media endeavors the club has such as instagram posts, announcements and flyers hung around the school.

“I am glad that I get to play such a key role in advertising and spreading the message of the club,” Lemanski said. “I am hoping that others will become interested in the club and want to help with the cause.”

Lemanski’s advertisement is what allowed sophomore Addison Holt to become aware of the recycled fashion club.

“I originally found out about the club from the announcements and I thought it sounded interesting,” Holt said. “I liked the premise and thought it was a good way to help the community.

Holt hopes to absorb as much information as she can during her time in the club.

“I’m definitely a novice at sewing, but I want to get better,” Holt said. “As well as [wanting to learn more] more about the various women’s shelters in the area.”

This combination of community service and sewing also interested senior member Serena Estrada.

“I joined the recycled fashion club because I was interested in supporting a club that gives back to the community in a creative way,” Estrada said.

Unlike other advocacy clubs, the recycled fashion club has an added artistic element to it. Estrada believes the different aspects of the club will attract new members while also being able to benefit those in need.

“This club is a unique idea that I’m excited is getting added to EHS,” Estrada said. “I’m eager to see the contributions recycled fashion club can give to the school and the community.”