Brother is very pleased to be supporting the Yard Atelier in Manchester, UK.
The Yard Atelier is a fashion-focused co-working space and incubator for the next generation of start-up fashion businesses.
To ensure sewing machinery and technical experience is accessible to those starting their business journey, Brother has provided The Yard with multi-needle embroidery machines and various sewing machines.
This includes: Brother lockstitch machines, six Brother Innov-is A60SE sewing machines, industrial buttonholer, a Brother PR680W embroidery machine, 4-thread overlocker, 3-thread overlocker, and a 2/3 needle thread seam cover stitch machine.
Based in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, the Yard Atelier is a non-profit co-working and community space that provides access to professional machinery, garment-making equipment, and mentoring.
It was founded by former Manchester Metropolitan University senior lecturers Caroline Herz and Georgina Housley with the intention of re-establishing 'slow fashion' in Manchester, a city with a deep history in textile production.
Caroline Herz said, “Ultimately, we want to carve out a space for slow-made collections in today’s fashion industry and encourage production businesses to return to Manchester, especially given the city’s rich history.”
The Yard Atelier was supported by a partnership consisting of the Yard MCR, the Manchester City Council, Brother Sewing Machines Europe UK Branch (BSUK) and Brother Industrial Sewing Machines (BIMH) ensuring that residents of the Yard have access to industry-leading machines to develop their skills.
The opening was held on February 15th, which was attended by Stuart Stamp of BSUK and by Andrzej Romanowicz from BIMH, as well as representatives of the fashion industry from Manchester and beyond.
The Yard’s Machine Studio provides access to sewing and embroidery machines, while the Pattern Studio provides cutting tables, work desks, and chairs. Both studios are provided with wonderful natural daylight (sometimes the sun does shine in Manchester!) from their surrounding windows.
In this setting, the Yard’s residents have the opportunity to learn beautiful workmanship and benefit from the Smart Works Fashion Archive to build a deep understanding of the Fashion Industry. The archive consists of designer pieces donated by employment charity Smart Works Greater Manchester, including a one-off Paco Rabanne chainmail dress and Victoria Beckham tailoring.
We can’t wait to see what the Yard’s residents produce.
