QUARTERLY MENDING LABS

Why mending?

The most sustainable choice is what you already own. It feels good to make things last, especially when they’re your favorites. It’s fun to make and buy new clothes, of course, but as we learn more about the huge impact textile and garment manufacturing has on people and the environment it’s more important than ever to make sustainable buying choices. Those choices don’t come cheap, but you can enjoy your investment longer and even feel more connected to your favorite things if you care for them, and mend them when they start to show signs of wear.

Why together?

The mending pile sits in the corner of the closet for a couple reasons. First, it’s intimidating. The longer you wait, the more the collection of things to be mended grows, the more intimidating it becomes to get started, and the more tempting it gets to just send them all to the local textile recycling facility - if one’s even available near you. When we get together, we’re more likely to actually get started with mending.

Second, by the time you scour how-to videos and tutorials for the mending you set out to do, you have questions! What’s the best way? Will this work for my very special situation? Are there other options?

When you’re with me, I’m your sewing fairy godmother. I’ll answer all your questions, and demonstrate step-by-step how to do the repairs live on screen. None of the repairs are very difficult once you know how. You can ask as many questions as you want, and enjoy hanging out with other people who share your priorities.

Best of all - we’ll all celebrate each other when we close the sewing circle and I promise you’ll look forward to the next one.

what does that 2-hour meetup look like?

It’s a gentle, 2-hour container via zoom to make progress on your mending.

A week ahead, I'll send a supply list and recipe for a seasonal tea or mocktail so we can anticipate our togetherness and gather our stuff.

We’ll start with a quick meditation to gather our courage.

I’ll plan a 20-30 minute lesson along the lines of the quarterly theme with examples. Then we’ll start stitching together. Please bring whatever you want, ask whatever you want!

Then we’ll end with Show & Tell and celebrate each others’ progress.

Why Pay what you wish?

This Lab is a a joyful experiment in community and sustainability. You’re absolutely going to learn something from me, and most likely also from each other. I want anyone who’s interested, no matter their financial situation, to be able to attend. I just learned the term NOTAFLOF from my friend Erica and besides being fun to say, it’s also a pleasure for me to offer. It means No one turned away for lack of funds, and I mean it.

Upon registering for the Mending Lab, you will be invited to make a monetary donation. It is not required, but it’s pretty clear that when we pay for things, we’re more likely to show up. The spaces will be limited in order for me to give those who attend my full attention, so it’s important to me that if you sign up, you show up. I start holding space for you as soon as you register.

I provided some donation levels because they were required to get the button to work. These payment systems are set up for the old ways of exchanging value, but please feel free to choose whatever feels right for you. I understand everyone’s situation is unique and welcome everyone who’s interested in learning and able to attend.

Your contributions, whether monetary, or by helping to grow this community will help me to continue to offer accessible opportunities.