REMAKE is a multi-day fundraising event, supporting Stitch Buffalo and the refugee women artisans at its heart. The weekend brings together local designers, skilled artisans, and community members to transform garments through embroidery, tailoring, block printing, appliqué, dyeing, and more—turning discarded materials into beautifully reimagined pieces.
Through this act of creative transformation, REMAKE reflects the dual mission of Stitch Buffalo: supporting refugee women in the profound personal transformation of adapting to a new home, language, and culture; while also reducing the impact of textile waste on our shared global environment.
We invite the entire community to gather, create, and contribute to something larger than ourselves. REMAKE is both a celebration and a call to action: a chance to create, connect, and contribute to a world where resources are valued, communities are strengthened, and all people can thrive.
Opening Celebration
May 7 (5:00–8:30pm)
REMAKE begins with an inspiring evening that sets the tone for a weekend of creativity, community, and impact. Join us for the Opening Celebration, featuring a keynote presentation, followed by a festive cocktail reception.
5:00pm—Doors Open & Silent Auction Preview
Browse items available for bidding.
5:15pm—Welcome and Sponsor Recognition by Dawne Hoeg
Dawne Hoeg is the founder and Executive Director of Stitch Buffalo. In the twelve years since it’s founding, she has grown Stitch Buffalo from a weekly embroidery workshop for refugee women to a comprehensive textile arts center.
Above—Emma Safir and works by the artist.
5:30pm—Keynote Presentation by Emma Safir
Emma Safir makes paintings using fabric manipulation, lens–based media, smocking, rasterization, upholstery, and digitization. Her paintings function as screen simulations, proxies, and portals. Safir is interested in hierarchies of labor related to gender and digitization, and in image-making apparatuses and distribution. Safir holds a BFA from RISD in printmaking and an MFA from Yale in painting and printmaking. She has had solo exhibitions at Blade Study, Baxter St at CCNY, SHIN HAUS at Shin Gallery, and Bunker Projects; and has participated in group shows at HESSE FLATOW, Galerie Nicolas Robert, Charles Moffett, Jack Barrett, Lyles & King, among others. She has upcoming solo exhibitions with HESSE FLATOW (2025) and Buffalo Institute for Contemporary Art (2026). Safir lives and works in New York City.
Above (left to right)—Newell Nussbaumer (founder of Buffalo Rising) will be serving signature cocktails. Live music with Marcy Zicari. Get crafty with the Community Fabric Project.
6:30pm—Light Refreshments & Signature Cocktails
Following the keynote, guests are invited to stay at Stitch Buffalo for an evening of connection, creativity, and celebration. Enjoy light food and drinks, including signature cocktails and wine served by our celebrity bartender, Newell Nussbaumer, as live music by Marcy Zicari sets the celebratory tone.
Throughout the evening, guests can explore a silent auction featuring one-of-a-kind items made from Stitch Buffalo’s Felt Loom fabrics, alongside textiles from the Community Fabric Project—available for the first time. Bidding will take place from 7:00–8:00pm, with winners announced between 8:00–8:30pm.
Guests are also invited to step into the dye studio to participate in a hands-on Community Fabric Project workshop, contributing their own creative mark to the next Community Fabric canvas. This evolving piece will support the next generation of Community Fabric products, continuing the cycle of shared making and impact.
Community Design Days
May 8 & 9 (10:00am–4:00pm)
Over the course of each Community Design Day, guests will select a garment (from a curated collection of donated pieces or from their own closet) and transform it into something entirely new. With guidance from Stitch Buffalo artisans, participants can explore hands-on techniques like dyeing, tailoring, block printing, and embroidery, turning each piece into a personal work of wearable art. Along the way, live demonstrations and workshops from artists and designers offer fresh inspiration and practical skills for building a more creative and sustainable wardrobe.
1. CHOOSE A GARMENT TO TRANSFORM
Each ticket includes your choice of one garment donated by Eileen Fisher, Patagonia, October House Vintage, New Era, Second Chic, FabScrap, or Goodwill of Western New York. You may also bring one item from your own closet that needs embellishment, re-imagination, or a simple mend. (Note: Premium ticket holders can select their garment early, during the opening celebration!)
Above—Choose a garment from our donated selections, and transform it into a work of wearable art!
2. EXPLORE THE TRANSFORMATION STATIONS
Collaborate with Stitch Buffalo artisans, staff members, and volunteers to restyle your chosen garment into a wearable work of art.
Repairs/Tailoring > Make simple repairs and adjustments to the fit/style of your garment so it functions properly, fits well, and perfectly suits your personal style.
Indigo Dyeing > Add color, cover stains, or infuse yellowed/faded garments with new life. Simple resist techniques also allow you to create patterns.
Block Printing > Make a bold statement by adding color, patterns, and print designs to your garment. Choose all-over prints, or work in more subtle, selective styles.
Embroidery > Select from a range of simple motifs to finish off your garment. Hand stitching by a member of the Refugee Women’s Workshop.
3. ENJOY DEMOS AND WORKSHOPS
Get new ideas from artists and designers to elevate your creativity and supercharge your sustainable fashion practices. Stay tuned for details as we finalize the presenters and topics for these sessions!
Friday, May 8—SCHEDULE
10:00am > Necktie to Scarf with Dale DiBernardo
11:00am > Felt Loom Design Demonstration
12:00pm–2:00pm > English Smocking Workshop with Emma Safir*
1:00pm > Community Fabric Workshop
2:00pm > Care and Repair for Your Techwear with Patagonia
* Note: There is a $50 fee for this two-hour, hands-on class, as reflected in the price of tickets including this event.
Saturday, May 9—SCHEDULE
10:00am> Clothing Conversions with Michelle Frick
11:00am > Felt Loom Design Demonstration
12:00pm > Jeans to Bellbottoms with Liam Kane
1:00pm > Community Fabric Workshop
2:00pm > Crew Neck to Zip-up with Kylie Priscilla
A small number of scholarship seats are available for Community Design Days. To apply, visit: www.stitchbuffalo.org/2026-remake-scholarship-application
Transforming Textiles, Transforming Lives
REMAKE is more than an event. It’s an invitation to come together in support of creativity, sustainability, and opportunity. Every ticket, every transformed garment, and every shared experience helps advance Stitch Buffalo’s mission to empower refugee and immigrant women through meaningful work and community connection. We hope you’ll join us for this special weekend and be part of the impact.
Program Partners
We are grateful to supporters of this event, including: EILEEN FISHER Renew, New Era Cap Company, Patagonia, FabScrap, Goodwill of WNY, Second Chic, October House Vintage, and more.
Position your organization as a leader in sustainability and social impact by joining the sponsors of REMAKE! Contact michellep@stitchbuffalo.org for details.