MAKING AND MENDING

This summer we have hosted a series of 5 Making and Mending sessions with Cat Lewis.

In the making sessions, Cat introduced us to the basics of natural dye and we then made napkins and eye pillows, using organic hemp.

Eye pillows

In the mending sessions, Cat first introduced the sashiko technique (a Japanese approach to mending fabric based upon reinforcing fabric via 'small stab' stitches). We then learnt how to darn socks and, jumpers using a weaving technique.

Sashiko technique

One of the attendees reflected: "Learning new skills towards more sustainable fashion, in the most beautiful setting with like minded people has been such a great experience this summer. Making an eye mask from scraps of material, dyed with flowers and plants picked from the allotment, outside under the dappled shade of the trees…it doesn’t get any better! This making and mending course with Cat Lewis should be on prescription, so good for the soul! "

Testing out natural inks

Another said "attending the making and mending sessions with Cat at Global Gardens was amazing. I learnt how to make my own natural dyes, stich and darn. These are skills i will need to practice but i am very happy I got to learn them".

Do keep an eye out and sign up for our newsletter as we are going to be hosting another series of making and mending workshops in autumn,

Many thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund in Wales for making these workshops possible.