Sustain Your Wardrobe: Overdye, Mend, Repair & Embellish

Give your tired, shabby, faded, but much-loved clothes a new life in this day-long workshop.

Garment repair is much more than a chore. Instead of throwing away something torn, stained, or worn out, you'll see how damage can become the opportunity for a new surface design, adding pattern and texture through embellishment inspired by Indian Kantha and Japanese Boro. The result is more beautiful, and it illustrates the garment's history.

Each session begins with an overview of the techniques and a private consultation on how to get the result you want. Then we get to work at the dyepot, giving faded cloth a bright refresh and dyeing scraps and threads to use as patches.

Next we'll explore hand stitching and embroidery for textile repair and mending, including running stitches as done in Indian Kantha and the decorative embroidery stitches my grandmother taught me. We'll also take time to consider the versatility and strength of embroidery for mark-making, the slow, meditative rhythm of hand stitching, and the pleasure of having time to make and mend.

Finally, we'll embellish with decorative stitches, buttons, beads, and found objects.

Then we’ll explore hand stitching and embroidery techniques emphasizing textile repair and mending.  

During the workshop we will take time to think about and explore the versatility and strength of embroidery for mark making, emphasizing the slow, meditative rhythm of hand stitching and the pleasure of having time to make and mend.

Finally, we’ll embellish items with decorative stitches, buttons, beads and found objects. You might like to visit my Pinterest page on visible mending for inspiration.

Classes are held in my Dye Garden Studio in the San Gabriel Valley of Southern California (the address will be emailed after sign-up). Looking for dedicated 1-on-1 instruction, a private group stitching workshop, or a custom consultation on a personal textile project? Sessions can be hosted at my studio or at your venue. Request a private session.

As requested by my students, I now offer the indigo-dyed D-Core thread we use in the workshops (You can order it here) and Mending Kits with an assortment of dyed and printed scraps and hand-dyed thread.

Supplies provided:

  • Dye pots

  • One Mini-Mending Kit of your choice

  • Threads

  • Photos of stitches and mending for inspiration

 

Supplies you should bring:

  • Damaged item(s) you’d like to repair

  • Scissors

  • Needles

  • Thimble

  • Patches, fabrics, threads that are meaningful to you (optional)

See what past students created

  • Our standard classes are limited to 3 to 8 participants to ensure personal attention and room to work. We reserve the right to cancel a workshop if the minimum number of students is not met.

  • All classes and workshops must be paid in advance to reserve your space. You may change or cancel your registration up to 7 days prior to the first day of class to receive a refund issued as studio credit for a future workshop. Cancellations made after that window are non-refundable, and no make-ups or transfers are offered for missed classes.

  • If you are unable to attend, you are always welcome to transfer your registered spot to a friend. Simply let us know prior to the start of class so we can update our attendee list.

  • Private 1-on-1 instruction, customized small-group workshops, and individual project consultations are available. Sessions can be hosted at my studio or brought to your location. Inquire about a private session.