This CAS experience took place every Tuesday for two hours and was focused on stitching and textile work, starting as a learning process and evolving into a creative and sustainable practice. At the beginning, my main goal was simply to learn how to sew by hand and understand basic techniques, but over time I progressed to using the sewing machine confidently and independently. As the sessions continued, I developed the ability to design and create my own pieces of clothing, including skirts and trousers made from materials that would otherwise have been thrown away, as well as repairing damaged clothing such as jackets, shirts, and jeans, and even working with different textiles and decorative elements to give garments a new life.

This experience strongly connects with LO2 (Promoting peace and a sustainable future) because it directly promotes sustainability through reducing waste and encouraging conscious consumption. Instead of contributing to fast fashion and textile waste, I learned how to transform discarded or unused materials into functional and meaningful clothing. In this sense, stitching became an act of environmental responsibility, as it helped extend the life cycle of clothing and reduce harm to the environment. It also relates to LO3 (Lifelong learning for personal growth), since I progressively built skills through practice, patience, and self-directed learning, moving from beginner level to being able to independently design and construct garments.

Additionally, this activity can also be linked to LO5 (Meaningful contribution and active participation) because some of the items I repaired or created were not only for personal use but also contributed to others, showing how small creative actions can benefit a wider community. It taught me to value effort, persistence, and creativity as part of contributing positively to my environment and community.

Here is the evidence of my learning and progress: through documented weekly sessions, photos of my process (from early basic stitches to finished garments), and examples of before-and-after transformations of clothing, I can clearly show my development over time. This includes items such as upcycled skirts made from old trousers, repaired jackets with broken seams restored, and redesigned shirts that were given a second life instead of being discarded.

Overall, this CAS experience helped me understand that something as simple as sewing can become a meaningful form of sustainability, creativity, and responsibility. It also made me more aware of how everyday skills can contribute to larger global issues such as environmental waste and overconsumption, while also giving me confidence in my own ability to create, repair, and innovate.