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The Poetry of Thrift: Creative Mending


  • Sitka Center for Art and Ecology 56605 Sitka Drive Otis, OR, 97368 United States (map)
Thrift is poetic because it is creative; waste is unpoetic because it is waste.
— G.K. Chesterton, What's Wrong with the World

This workshop will cover the history of mending traditions across the world, and teach participants practical and aesthetic techniques for common repairs. Methods explored will include mending woven fabrics with inserted and appliqued patches, needle woven repairs, hand darning, mending holes and tears in knitted fabrics, hidden mending methods, and embellished stitches including sashiko, cross-stitch and other embroidery. Using mainly hand stitching, participants will complete a variety of samples. You are encouraged to bring personal items for creative repair.

Materials List: Students Bring

  • Instructor will provide all necessary materials.

  • Students have the option of bringing a small sewing kit (preferred needles, sharp scissors, thimble, seam ripper) and a variety of personal items to mend.

Materials List: Provided by Instructor

  • Sample-sized textiles to mend: woven, non-woven, knitted

  • Mending scraps

  • Hand-sewing needles

  • Threads

  • Yarns

  • Embroidery supplies (sashiko, crewel, etc.)

This workshop will be offered online with a limited number of in-person spaces available.

Earlier Event: August 8
Open Studio: Indigo