Learn to Mend: HOLES!

Join us at OTL to learn how to mend the clothes you’ve stopped wearing because of a hole, tear, or worn spot. In this beginner-friendly workshop, our skilled instructors will guide you through the basics of hand sewing, including patching, darning, reinforcing fabric, and simple decorative repair techniques.

Your registration includes 3 hours of personalized instruction in a relaxed, welcoming environment. You’ll leave with new hand-sewing skills, practical repair techniques, and the confidence to tackle future mending projects at home.

Instead of hand or power tools, this workshop focuses on sewing tools and the quiet, satisfying rhythm of mending by hand. Whether you want to repair a favourite sweater, extend the life of your jeans, or simply learn a new skill, you’ll discover approachable techniques that help keep beloved garments out of the landfill and in your closet for years to come.

Participants are encouraged to bring 1–2 garments in need of repair. No prior sewing experience is required.

Your instructors:

Angela is an enthusiastic amateur sewist and happy MacGyver-er of fabric-related problems. Her years of working at the Ottawa Tool Library's Repair Cafes have taught her so much about HOLES of all kinds and the different ways to approach fixing them. She gets a great sense of satisfaction from making things functional again and loves helping others feel that way too!

Mary is retired from a varied career in cell biology and non-profit management. She learned to sew early from her mother, who was a high-school home economics teacher, and has continued with varying projects ranging from her own wedding dress to repairing holes in her grandson’s pants. She has been an enthusiastic volunteer at the Ottawa Tool Library’s Repair Cafés, and enjoys the challenge of mending whatever items come in – sometimes straightforward and sometimes needing some creative improvisation!

NOTES:

a) Workshops are transferable to another person and only refundable if we have people on the waiting list who can take your spot. Please make sure this date works with your schedule.

b) Member-rate tickets are reserved for current Ottawa Tool Library members. If a non-member registers at the member rate, we will follow up to collect the price difference plus a $15 administrative fee.

c) If you are registering for a young person, please note that children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult with a ticket for the same workshop. Children under the age of 13 are not permitted in many of our workshops (other than Tinkering School and some demo nights). Please reach out to us if you have questions about the person you wish to buy a ticket for BEFORE you purchase a ticket: [email protected].

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Host or Publisher Ottawa Tool Library