Visible mending is having a moment right now, and, wow, do we need it! It's not that our clothes are wearing out faster than usual, but our hearts and lives are having a rough time, and the earth is reeling from our discarded textiles. We all need mending, in all sorts of ways.
This FREE workshop will seek to make that need and its solution manifest, with witness and practice. We will begin with a pile of worn or torn clothing (mending-ready!) in the midst of the group. We will all then (anonymously) write down some injury or pain that we have sustained, which needs healing. All the papers will be mixed up, and randomly chosen by participants, to be read aloud. The group intent is to listen, without voicing words, even of support, education, criticism, suggestions, or fixes, but merely to be present with each others' pain. Words of thanks may be offered.
Then, each participant will choose an item (not their own) to mend. Mending materials and techniques will be shared among the participants. The mending projects should ideally be reasonably short, so that the workshop does not last more than 2-3 hours. The mending will be completed during the workshop. Once complete, it will be shared with the group, and then returned to the owner of the garment. Everyone will go home with a garment that is now ready to wear, mended by someone else in the community.
This is an inclusive group that is for ages 15+ This event is FREE but donations are always gladly welcomed to help us continue offering free or low-cost programming! Thanks for sharing your wealth.
Additional Information:
About the facilitator: Sally Kirkpatrick is a fiber artist and healer. She has a studio at Waterfall Arts where she makes and mends. Sally says, "I have played with string, yarn and fiber most of my life, and practiced medicine for more than 30 years. I love the feeling that comes from making things with my hands, and I love sharing that feeling with others. I spin, knit, weave, make felt, mend, and dye with natural substances."
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