August 30, 2025: Hand Stitching to Repair and Embellish

Description

Instructor: Katie Cavacco

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Saturday, August 30, 2025

Time: 1 pm to 4:30 pm EST

Location: 80 Bassett Road, Shelburne MA 01370

Cost: sliding scale of $70 – $100 (includes materials)

# of Participants: 6

Age: Adults and children 10 and over when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Experience Level: All are welcome.

Program Description

Mending by hand is an excellent way to extend the life of favorite garments and household textiles. These repairs can be made discreetly to hide the fix, or they can be done creatively to add character in a style called ‘visible mending’. Both approaches start with a working understanding of basic hand stitches and embroidery techniques. 

This workshop will aim to introduce students to a variety of simple utility stitches that can be used to repair knits and wovens. Students will complete a labeled stitch sampler to take home for reference, and the workshop will also include time to problem solve as a group on specific items you want to mend.

All materials will be provided to create the stitch sampler. Feel free to bring a garment you’d like to mend, we can trouble shoot repairs as a group toward the end of the session.

About our Instructor

Katie Cavacco is a multidisciplinary maker, sewist and textile upcycler with a passion for creative reuse and repair. Raised in Franklin County, Massachusetts, a lifelong love of sewing took her to Boston for a BFA in Fashion Design from MassArt; an interest in sustainability took her to London College of Fashion at UAL for MA Fashion Futures (sustainable fashion systems); and a love of place brought her back to western Massachusetts. She is excited to join Fabric of Life in reacquainting people with important practical skills.

Visit Katie’s website: Free Ramblin’ Kids

Please contact us with any questions at [email protected].