Hand-stitched mending can be a gateway to creative expression, as well as a way to care for our textiles, the people we love, and our planet. Bring your worn clothes and textiles, and leave with them repaired and looking better than ever! In this course we'll build skills for useful and beautiful stitching from simple to invisible to decorative. We'll try out hand-sewing techniques including darning, boro-style patchwork, and duplicate stitch for knits. We will also cover mending with a sewing machine, and even a little needle felting. There will be lots of examples, and we'll explore the meaning of stitching and mending in the modern world. Everyone is welcome in this course, from beginners to fiber artists looking for ways to extend the life of their handmade garments. Bring your projects and questions—we’ll brainstorm together and learn from each others' examples. Students will leave this course ready to tackle anything that appears in a mending pile! Students age 16+ are welcome to sign up for this course. Students aged 16+ may register for this course independently. Students aged 12-15 may register with a full-paying adult. The youth student will receive a 25% intergenerational discount; call to register. Adult/child pairs will complete two projects and pay two materials fees.  

Required Tools

• A small sharp scissors 
• Anything made of fabric that you would like to mend (please bring items for mending clean)! You can work on as many items as time permits. 
• Any fabric scraps you can bring to share with others.
• Matching thread, yarn, etc., if needed for your projects. 

Optional Tools

• Any other preferred hand-sewing tools you already have (a thimble, pins, etc.).
• Any special fabrics, threads, or other materials that you would like to incorporate into your mending.

Needles will be provided, and other small tools will also be available to borrow during the course.

You will need the following tools for this class:

• Clothing and other textile items that need mending; these can be jeans, sweaters, socks, T-shirts, blankets, and anything else that is made of fabric. You can work on as many items as time permits. *Note: Please bring items clean. Woolens, delicates, and things that are coming apart can be gently hand washed.
• Small sewing tools such as scissors, needles, pins, a thimble, etc. If you don't have these don't worry, there will be tools for you to use during class, and some to purchase and take home if you wish.
• All other required tools/materials are provided by your instructor and North House and will be available once the course begins.

There will be materials provided for you to use, but you are also welcome to bring any scraps of fabric, yarn, or threads you'd like to incorporate in your mending.
If it is convenient and you would like to do so, you are welcome to bring your own sewing machine (please bring the manual as well). There will also be sewing machines available to use at North House.