A space for cultivating textile sustainability and a creative community in Queenstown
T I K K I Studio is a sewing studio based in Lower Shotover that runs workshops and sewing lessons with sustainability at its heart. It has recently expanded into a co-working space for anyone needing to hot desk. This is especially great for creative entrepreneurs, hobby sewists and students as T I K K I provides access to a creative space with a range of industrial machines and tools that most wouldn’t ordinarily have access to. The studio is immersed in nature, surrounded by floral gardens and situated next to the Shotover River. The perfect spot to cultivate creativity with a peacefulness you won’t tend to find in town.
Nina Chen started T I K K I Studio in an effort to promote sustainability in the consumption of textile goods. Many of our everyday textile goods are mass produced at low cost and as a result they are low quality, ending up in landfill soon thereafter. With her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Fashion and Clothing Design and work experience in an apparel manufacturing company, Nina has connected consumers, designers and makers through sewing workshops that encourage the public to repair, upcycle and sew textile goods.
Acknowledging that sewing is a dying life skill that used to be passed down through generations, T I K K I has provided a space for people to continue that tradition. Last year for example, T I K K I ran children’s after school sewing programs, adult group lessons from sewing basics to advanced level, pattern making, homemade wardrobe workshops and private lessons. Nina also organised a community dye vat for stained or dull clothes to save them from landfill and a clothing swap for pre-loved items.
Every month T I K K I invites the community to join in for our favourite “Sip and Sew” sessions as a good opportunity to drop in and learn from the collective minds that attend, and have some fun!
Nina and the T I K K I Team have managed to provide a valuable space for creativity, connection and education. Now thay are able to share this creative space with fellow hobby sewists, remote workers and entrepreneurs through our membership. Our goal is to utilise the space to its full potential and continue to grow our services to the crafting and creative community with lots more exciting workshops and events in the near future.
The T I K K I Studio can be found at
108 Spence Road, Lower Shotover and contact details are
027 220 9547 | hello.tikkistudio@gmail.com | www.tikkistudio.com
