Learn how to approach more difficult repairs like torn thighs, ripped seams, and damaged underarms on woven fabrics like denim, linen, cotton, and silk. Explore how to work with the drape, construction, and original design of the textile while adding durability. In this class, we’ll explore more challenging repairs that span seams, cross quadrants, or interfere with the textile’s purpose. We’ll focus on hard-working patches as the foundation for repair. We’ll cover useful knots, stitches, and design elements while focusing on external and internal patches. Please bring one clean textile to mend that’s made from woven fabric like denim, cotton, linen, flannel, or canvas—no sweaters or knits, please, we’ll cover those techniques in darning classes. (If you’d like a less visible repair, bring a patch that matches the content, color, and weight of your textile. A limited selection of patches will be provided.)

This Maker-In-Residence program is made possible with funding from the Boulder Library Foundation. The Foundation organizes local philanthropic support for innovation, capital improvements, creativity, and expanded outreach and literacy for Boulder's Libraries. 

Join award-winning artist and best-selling author, Katrina Rodabaugh, for in-person mending workshops with the Boulder Public Library. Katrina is the author of Mending Matters (Abrams, 2018) and Make Thrift Mend (Abrams, 2021)—joyful and practical guides to mending and slow fashion. Visible mending is a series of hand-sewing techniques that combine patches, stitches, weavings, and design elements to make beautiful, long-lasting repairs. The classes will consider the creative opportunity in mending woven and knit fabrics through careful consideration of materials, design, and stitching techniques. All mending will focus on hand-sewing woven fabrics like denim, linen, cotton, and silk or knit fabrics like sweaters, socks, gloves, hats, etc. Mending is a wonderful way to practice hand-stitching and sustainability by extending the life of our textiles. Simple stitches transform torn or distressed garments and homewares through thoughtful repairs.