When buying hand sewing needles it’s worth investing in good quality needles and getting a variety so you have the right size and type to use for the mend you are doing. A variety pack can be a good way to get a range without a big outlay. Needle Basics Below are some useful technicalContinue reading “Sewing needles guide”
Author Archives: Mary H
Sugru: a new type of mend
We love Sugru at Ealing Repair Cafe for fixing things. It is mouldable like plasticine and dries like rubber. The Sugru website is full of project inspiration, fixes and hacks of what to apply Sugru to. Have you got any favorites for using Sugru it for mending? Ealing Repair Cafe fixes Here’s a selection ofContinue reading “Sugru: a new type of mend”
Sustainable wins: Fabric Wrapping
What do you do at birthdays, Christmas and celebrations things to make it sustainable? We used to end up with a huge pile of wrapping paper every birthday and Christmas but now we have very little as we have swapped to reusable wraps and bags. At Christmas the amount of wrapping paper thrown away atContinue reading “Sustainable wins: Fabric Wrapping”
Ealing Repair makes a difference
Mary, our founder and volunteer for Ealing Repair Cafe was nominated for the Environmental category for the BBC Radio London Make a difference award. The full details of all the nominated BBC Radio London Environment projects nominated on Facebook Make a difference Award. BBC Radio London’s Make a Difference Awards were held at Ronnie Scott’sContinue reading “Ealing Repair makes a difference”
Water dissolvable patching with water soluble stabiliser
Want to do something a bit different when mending your clothes? Try covering holes to with embroidery in the shape of moths or butterflies using sulky stabilizer.
Ealing Repair Cafe Sewing Machine and bag
We kindly had a sewing machine donated to Ealing Repair cafe. Its great to be able to offer the sewing machine again. Although the majority of repairs are easier done by hand, some mends are quicker and easier using the machine. At Ealing repair cafe, we can only help with repairs, for sewing lessons orContinue reading “Ealing Repair Cafe Sewing Machine and bag”
Sustainable fashion show needs your outfits
Do you upcycle clothes and fabrics to create outfits or mend your own clothes? We are looking for your upcycled and repaired clothes to feature in EalingSewnUp Sustainable fashion show & swap in October at Gunnersbury Museum.
Fabric Swap and Sale
Come along and get some fabric at Days for Girls swap and sale on Sunday 10 July from 2.30 until 5.00 pm, at Northfields Community Centre, Ealing. Bring as much or as little fabric you want to swap. For the fabric and items you bring along, you will receive tokens (or you can buy tokens)Continue reading “Fabric Swap and Sale”
Upcycling t-shirts into yarn
Did you know that in the UK around 336,000 tonnes of our unwanted clothing gets thrown away every year? The good news is we have come up with simple upcycling projects to keep clothing in use, and out of the bin. In a few simple steps t-shirts can be made into t-shirt yarn. You can also useContinue reading “Upcycling t-shirts into yarn”
Sewing machine Servicing and Care
We get a lot of enquiries about sewing machine care and lessons. Many have a sewing machine that has been put away and not confident how to use it or its not working. So here’s some guidance and recommendations for businesses that will service your machines. We also have listed places that you can buyContinue reading “Sewing machine Servicing and Care”
Postbox topper arrives on Northfields Avenue
Ealing repair cafe made a postbox topper to promote us and also give people inspiration for mending their clothes. Each heart shows a way you can patch or mend your clothes.
Brentfords clothes repair
Brentford local mending group opening up in Hounslow. Running every last Friday of the month with volunteers at hand to help teach you how to mend your own clothes.
Cleaning your iron
Ealing Repair Cafe has a travel iron that was kindly donated for our sessions but it has gained marks on it. Yvonne, who volunteers at our sessions has a great and simple solution, paracetamol. Yvonne makes beautiful quilts and discovered this through one of her groups, as quilting can use a lot of starch onContinue reading “Cleaning your iron”
Sewing Kit Basics
Do you know your seam ripper from a needle threader? Ealing Repair café Sewing Kit basics is what you need in a basic sewing kit to start clothes repairing. If you can gather these items together, it will be easy for you to patch and darn your clothes. Take a look at our sewing mendingContinue reading “Sewing Kit Basics”
London Repair Week for Ealing Repair cafe
It’s London Repair Week and Ealing Repair cafe has been chosen as #Localrepairheros and have a few events we are helping people to learn how to mend and patch their clothes. We have put together some basic sewing kits and written up a sewing kit guide. We will be at: Friday, 18 March, 11 am – 3 pm Acton Market,Continue reading “London Repair Week for Ealing Repair cafe”
Ealing Repair Cafe 