Skill Level: Intermediate | Guest Instructor: Marisa Simon

Join Marisa Simon (@stitchingpink) for an educational, hands-on workshop introducing the basics of visible mending!

What is Visible Mending?
Visible mending is a technique of repairing fabric where the mends are intentionally made visible and decorative, rather than trying to conceal them. It involves using various stitching techniques, patches, and embroidery to repair and enhance damaged clothing or other fabric items, transforming them into unique, artistic, expressive pieces.

In this 3-hour class, students will learn how to mend and repair clothes using a few simple tools and hand-stitching techniques provided by Marisa.  She will give a short, informative presentation on the history of mending, and show you some mended items from hers and her family's closet.  Marisa will demo two different mending techniques, and then students will practice these techniques using the provided kit.  You will leave class feeling confident to repair jeans, sweaters, bags, and more!

This class is suitable for intermediate level students who have prior hand-sewing experience.

Required Materials:

• (1) Supply Kit - included in the cost of class; this kit includes:
  • (2) pieces of 8" x 8" woven fabrics
  • (1) 6" square of knit fabric
  • (1) 5" square of quilting cotton fabric
  • 2 yards of thin wool yarn
  • (1) size 20 darning needle
  • (1) size 7 embroidery needle
  • (1) size 10 Sharps needle
  • (1) skein of floss
  • 4" embroidery hoop

Additionally, students are also responsible for bringing:

• (5) glass head pins
• (1) spool of 50 wt thread

Required Tools:

• embroidery scissors
• seam ripper
• chalk or frixion marker

Optional Materials:

• darning egg
• embroidery floss
• pearl cotton

About the Instructor:

• Marisa is a certified nurse-midwife who also has over 25 years of experience in the craft industry as a sewing educator, Bernina specialist and FreeSpirit Fabric sales representative.  She is passionate about supporting independent retail businesses as they are our modern-day social hubs and views the world of craft as a vehicle to express oneself, manage stress, and create community.  In addition to working in the fabric industry, Marisa hosts a radio show on WPRB 103.3FM in Princeton where she plays lovely music and discusses current trends in the world of craft.  She is also an amateur gardener who is obsessed with her compost pile. Marisa’s ultimate passion is to inspire others to find their own creative journey. You can follow her creative pursuits on Instagram: @stitchingpink