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It’s a fact of life, especially in cold climates like the North, that outerwear is usually made from non-natural fibres. It’s another fact of life that actively-used outerwear develop rips, tears, torn seams, pocket damage, etc. etc. etc. because of the wear they incur. The fabric of which they’re made, and HOW they’re made, doesn’t make repair any easier.
What to do? There’s no easy one-method-fits-all mend for the kind of outerwear that makes Northern winters comfortable. But that doesn’t mean that duct-tape is the only, and it’s certainly not the best, solution. We will assess problems, figure out what can be done, and start a certain subset of repairs – tears and rips – creating our own custom fusible patches to suit the weight and colour of the fabric.
1. We will start by assessing and understanding the dynamics of synthetic fibre clothing used for outerwear – materials, construction, wear. We will also look at how the way in which they are made (“fast fashion”) impacts mendability.
2. The main focus will be on the specific problems of rips and tears (common and potentially the easiest to mend). You will learn how to make a suitable patch with a fusing agent and how to apply it on the INSIDE of the damaged area to give the clothing a longer life.
3. We will also DISCUSS (not DO) fixes for other frequent problems:
○ Zippers: we will NOT replace or fix zippers, but we will assess the challenges they represent and where to look for solutions.
○ Pockets: because we put things into pockets (as intended), we make life difficult for them – the result is tears inside the pocket or the pocket itself torn from the main garment. We’ll assess which can be patched and which require sewing-machine or professional intervention.
○ We will take a good hard look at the options for “stick-on” patches, including duct tape – it’s a misleading quick fix with inevitable problems down the road. If you’re going to use it, it’s good to know what you’re in for.
4. By the end of the workshop you’ll have a better idea of what is mendable, the pros and cons of various solutions, and you’ll have made a start on actually mending one or more of your priorities.
Students should bring outerwear you want to mend and scissors.
Instructor: Hermina (Minnie) Joldersma
Prerequisites: No prior experience necessary. Age 16 or older.
Cost (Full Members): $51 (includes materials)
Cost (Casual Members): $61 (includes materials)
Registration Opens: September 1, 2022 at 1:00 pm
Registration Closes: October 21, 2022
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