What is Saber Fazer?
Founded in 2011, SABER FAZER is a project coordinated by Alice Bernardo and Miguel Barbot, dedicated to researching, promoting, and disseminating artisanal and semi-industrial production techniques in Portugal, with a focus on natural textile fibers and farm-to-cloth production.
We are an educational and editorial project whose main objective is to ensure the transfer of rigorous technical knowledge, educating on the fundamental issues surrounding this topic, related to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Smaller and local production scales are increasingly relevant, and it is urgent to renew and disseminate the knowledge that allows for the creation of sustainable production and collaboration chains. Our work focuses on local genetic resources and small- and medium-scale sustainable production processes.
Saber Fazer is an integral part of BarbotBernardo.
What do we do?
Education and vocational training
Our training offer is one of the central elements of our work, always supported by strong research and knowledge production, and guided by the best professionals. We create in-person and online courses, organize educational events, and coordinate educational programs. Our courses are mainly related to the production of linen, wool production and processing, natural dyeing (including indigo), weaving, tapestry, felting, Portuguese wool, sheep shearing, basketry, among others. In addition to the courses we organize in our own space, we have established partnerships with various public and private entities.
SABER FAZER is a training entity certified by DGERT.
Research and development
of educational resources
Our work is based on continuous and consistent research into topics that we consider to be priorities. It is on the basis of this research that we develop our training courses and educational programs and produce our own teaching resources, which are the result of years of work and are among the few documents written in Portuguese on the respective topics.
National and European cooperation projects
Through various national and European cooperation projects, we have been developing research, training, and technical resource production initiatives in the areas of small-scale manufacturing and education.
Consulting and
content development
We provide content development, technical recording, and scientific advisory services to other entities that are working in our area of expertise and need our knowledge, experience, and professionalism.
Materials and tools shop
We have a shop (online and physical) through which we offer a selection of the best materials and equipment for all textile makers, whether they are experienced or beginners. Our shop is a training tool that allows us to equip the artisans who come to us, providing them with technical advice and support in the acquisition of materials and technology.
Where are we?
Saber Fazer is located in Portugal, in the city of Porto. We hold training courses at our premises and have a physical store open to the public. Our home smells of wool, linen, and whatever else we have harvested at the time. It is an ever-changing, intense space, filled with materials, tools, and objects that spark curiosity and raise questions.