Mending Lab is a co-presented program of Fibershed Heartland, the Sewing Machine Project, and the Textile Arts Center.
Monthly workshops are designed to guide participants in learning basic sewing and mending skills.
Extend the life of your clothes and household goods and keep them out of the landfills. Learn to mend!
Mending Lab: Hand Sewing for Beginners
Mending Lab: Hand Sewing for Beginners
Tuesday, October 7, 6-8:30pm
Class level: Beginner. No experience necessary!
Age requirements: 16+
Instructors: Volunteer sewists from Fibershed Heartland and Sewing Machine Project
Class fee: FREE!
Repairing your own clothes is a great way to make your wardrobe more sustainable, but not everyone has a sewing machine.
In this workshop you will learn the basics of hand sewing. No experience necessary! Skills covered will include thread and needle selection, 3 versatile stitches, and beginning and ending knots. With these skills and basic tools you will be able to mend and alter your textiles at home, or even sew projects from scratch.
What to bring:
All tools and materials provided, but feel free to bring items from home that need mending.
REGISTER
About Fibershed Heartland:
Fibershed Heartland is a nonprofit organization that develops regional fiber systems that build ecosystem and community health. Our work expands opportunities to implement climate benefitting agriculture, rebuild regional manufacturing, and connect end-users to the source of our fiber through education. We transform the economic systems behind the production of material culture to mitigate climate change, improve health, and contribute to racial and economic equity.
About Sewing Machine Project:
The Sewing Machine Project (SMP) is a Madison-based nonprofit organization that collects and distributes sewing machines nationally to groups committed to using the machines to provide opportunities to create, learn new skills, build self confidence, and contribute to their own livelihoods and the well being of their families and communities. SMP also runs local programs, including mending services in Madison libraries and sewing classes at area community centers.
Mending Lab: Patching
Mending Lab: Patching
Tuesday, November 4, 6-8:30pm
Class level: Beginner. Some hand sewing experience is helpful.
Age requirements: 16+
Instructors: Volunteer sewists from Fibershed Heartland and Sewing Machine Project
Class fee: FREE!
Keep your clothes out of the landfill and extend the life of beloved textiles.
In this workshop you will learn how to execute a nearly invisible patched repair, sew an exterior patch with Sashiko style stitching, and put in a reverse applique internal patch. You will leave with the skills to do basic hand stitched repairs on your clothes, and a way to give your old textiles a bit of artistic personality. Some hand sewing experience is helpful.
What to bring:
Bring a cloth item to repair, or practice on a provided sample.
Tools and materials will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you have them, or want a specific color match.
REGISTER
About Fibershed Heartland:
Fibershed Heartland is a nonprofit organization that develops regional fiber systems that build ecosystem and community health. Our work expands opportunities to implement climate benefitting agriculture, rebuild regional manufacturing, and connect end-users to the source of our fiber through education. We transform the economic systems behind the production of material culture to mitigate climate change, improve health, and contribute to racial and economic equity.
About Sewing Machine Project:
The Sewing Machine Project (SMP) is a Madison-based nonprofit organization that collects and distributes sewing machines nationally to groups committed to using the machines to provide opportunities to create, learn new skills, build self confidence, and contribute to their own livelihoods and the well being of their families and communities. SMP also runs local programs, including mending services in Madison libraries and sewing classes at area community centers.
Mending Lab: Darning and Repairing Knits
Mending Lab: Darning and Repairing Knits
Tuesday, December 2, 6-8:30pm
Class level: Beginner. Some hand sewing experience is helpful.
Age requirements: 16+
Instructors: Volunteer sewists from Fibershed Heartland and Sewing Machine Project
Class fee: FREE!
Keep your clothes out of the landfill and extend the life of beloved textiles.
In this workshop you will learn three different darning techniques for repairing holes in knit garments like sweaters or socks. You can make these repairs nearly invisible, or use this as an opportunity to add a bit of artistic personality.
What to bring:
Bring a knit item to repair, or practice on a provided sample.
Tools and materials will be provided, but feel free to bring your own yarn needle and yarns if you have them, or want a specific color match.
REGISTER
About Fibershed Heartland:
Fibershed Heartland is a nonprofit organization that develops regional fiber systems that build ecosystem and community health. Our work expands opportunities to implement climate benefitting agriculture, rebuild regional manufacturing, and connect end-users to the source of our fiber through education. We transform the economic systems behind the production of material culture to mitigate climate change, improve health, and contribute to racial and economic equity.
About Sewing Machine Project:
The Sewing Machine Project (SMP) is a Madison-based nonprofit organization that collects and distributes sewing machines nationally to groups committed to using the machines to provide opportunities to create, learn new skills, build self confidence, and contribute to their own livelihoods and the well being of their families and communities. SMP also runs local programs, including mending services in Madison libraries and sewing classes at area community centers.