Discover the skills for creating a sustainable future
Thread of Life provides sustainable textile education and skills training, advocating for a more sustainable future for the fashion industry.
Based in Derby and started by Abigail Wastie—whose previous industry experience involved working at luxury and ethical fashion brands—Thread of Life aims to equip children and adults with hands-on knowledge, tools, and skills to enable them to pursue a sustainable approach to clothing and textiles.
Thread of Life offers workshops as an alternative education provider—delivering textile classes with an inclusive approach for all abilities—as well as workshops in the local community, public sector, and corporate spaces.
Find out about our upcoming workshops events on the calendar.
Sustainable Activist Textile Educator
As a sustainability activist, Abigail has created a community of individuals passionate to learn and practice ethical ways of living and dressing.
Abigail bring together folk who are keen to learn about ethical living, with practitioners, makers, industry experts and artists at The Ethical Atelier.
Abigail started the uniform project in 2021 researching what uniforms British children are wearing and how informed parents are about the ecological impact of their childrens uniform.
Abigail is on a mission to find accessible ecological alternatives to the synthetic British school uniform our children are wearing.
Partnering with Derby Museums, Adam Blencowe in 2023 and then John Smedley in 2024.
The project was awarded Art funding in 2024 with the project starting in September 2025, providing Derby School students with the opportunity to design, develop and market their own sustainable British wool school jumper with local manufacturers John Smedley in Matlock, Derbyshire.
Abigail is also developing patterns for the trousers and skirts, with tutorials to teach.
Latest Projects
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Creative Thursday
A creative after school club run by The Virtual School at The Museum of Making. Thread of Life students have made Organic tracksuits, printed sweatshirts, rucksacks, British wool teddy bags, pajamas and dressing gowns!
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VS Feste
A creative festival to celebrate Derbyshire's Virtual School care experienced children creative joy! With a host of different artist led workshops Thread of Life helped 60 students construct their own organic cotton tote bag, using a sewing machine.
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The Uniform Project
Part of Derby Museums wool project takeover. Derbyshire students in partnership with John Smedley Knitwear Manufacturer will create a sustainable School uniform jumper using British Wool, amongst discussion about fast fashion contribution to the climate crisis. With thanks to funding from ARTFUND
Events & Programmes
Abigail teaches most of her workshops in her studio in Allestree, Derby as well as in conjunction with events at The Museum of Making in the city centre.
If you would like to make a general enquiry about our workshops and projects, please use the contact form here. If you would like to enquire about our alternative educational provision, please use the booking form here.
Make an enquiry
