April 28th 'Senior Day': Upcycling business launched by former sewing craftsmen with an average age of 80! Aiming to resolve elderly isolation and reuse waste resources!

NPO Hidamarisou (Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture; Chairperson: Yukari Furusawa), which operates nursing and welfare facilities, will launch the brand 'iquilt' on April 28, where former sewing craftsmen with an average age of 80 will upcycle corporate textile waste.

This initiative aims to create a place for the elderly to get involved as bearers of society once again, while at the same time seeking new ways to utilize textile waste.

Product creation utilizing the sewing skills of former craftsmen grandmothers using the slash quilt technique.
iquilt Brand Logo

As the population ages in Japan, the number of elderly people losing their connection with society due to age and environmental changes is increasing. Even those with experience and skills find fewer opportunities to demonstrate them, creating a distance from society and a reality where it is difficult to feel the 'sense of being needed.'

'iquilt' was born from this background. In this business, 5 to 8 former craftsmen who have engaged in sewing work in Gifu will process textile waste discarded by local companies into pouches and cushion covers for sale. By combining the sewing skills of the former craftsmen who supported Gifu's textile industry with corporate textile waste, it simultaneously approaches the two issues of creating roles for the elderly and reducing corporate waste. The production employs a technique called 'slash quilt,' which creates a unique texture by layering fabrics and making cuts, resulting in highly fashionable products, each with a different expression. These products will be generally sold on the handmade market platform Creema starting Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 'Senior Day.'

By participating in this project, the mindset of the elderly has changed significantly. Those who used to say 'I'm sorry for living so long' now realize they can 'be of use to someone' through the products they create with their own hands, regaining their vitality and connection to society. Chairperson Furusawa says, 'I want to create a society where roles don't end with age, but only the way of involvement changes.' This business goes beyond making products; it is a new approach to social issues such as preventing elderly isolation, preventing frailty, effectively utilizing waste resources, and inheriting the skills of local industries.

■ Points for Coverage: This project can be introduced from the following social perspectives, going beyond 'handmade'.

● Interviews with the 80-something craftsmen actually producing: A concrete example of how the 'joy of being needed' leads to preventing isolation among the elderly.
● Filming the process of waste textiles becoming products: Locally completed resource circulation through collaboration with local companies.
● Inheritance of Gifu's traditional techniques: Updating the history of Gifu's textile town with modern sustainable values.

We know you are very busy, but we would be grateful if you could cover this matter and use the power of the press as an opportunity to reach more people.

[Brand Overview]
Brand Name: iquilt - by Team over 80
Sales Start Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Main Products: Bags, pouches, etc., using slash quilt
* If you are able to come for coverage on the day, please contact us in advance at the [Contact Information].

[Contact Information]
NPO Hidamarisou iquilt
4-6 Shimashinmachi, Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture, 502-0907
TEL: 058-214-9737 FAX: 058-216-0532
Contact: Furusawa
e-mail: npohidamarisou@outlook.jp