Know to Sew, with Jay.

Meet Jay — our resident sewing mentor who leads the fortnightly drop-in sewing workshops at Boundary 274.

Gift bags made by a participant at ‘Know to Sew’.

Jay began her sewing journey in India, teaching herself how to use a sewing machine and gradually becoming a confident and skilled maker. When she moved from India to New Zealand in 1998, she brought her love of sewing with her. After settling into life in Aotearoa, she connected with local community groups and soon found herself teaching evening sewing classes — something she continues to do today. In her classes and at Boundary 274 workshops, Jay focuses on basic sewing skills and simple, pattern-free projects that anyone can try.

Beyond being a practical skill, Jay believes sewing offers a wide range of benefits: it nurtures creativity and wellbeing, and sewing in a group provides connection and community. It’s also a sustainable practice — repairing, repurposing, and creating items reduces textile waste and encourages thoughtful consumption, something deeply connected to Jay’s values and her work with reclaimed fabrics.

Through her husband Raju’s waste-reduction mahi, Jay was able to tap into ‘waste’ fabric from local businesses — providing a steady supply of high-quality materials for her projects and classes that otherwise was destined for landfill. This expanded further when she started receiving donations from a Sikh Temple of Rumala Sahib, the sacred fabric used by Sikhs for worship and decoration. Rumala Sahib is made from a silk blend and adorned with intricate embroidery, vibrant colours, and gold or silver accents. Because of its sacred significance, Jay is thoughtful and respectful in how she repurposes Rumala Sahib.

In her creative practice, she enjoys making bags, tablecloths, cushion covers, and storage boxes. When she’s not teaching, you can often find her selling her beautiful handmade pieces at local markets and Indian community events.

Naomi and Marcy with Jay showing some of Jay’s creations.

Jay encourages anyone to come to the drop in sewing workshops at Boundary 274, whether you are new to sewing or an expert.

Jay’s drop in sewing workshops will begin again in the new year. Keep a lookout on our events page or Facebook.