Ealing Clothes Repair Workshops: Learn to Mend and Upcycle

Ealing Clothes Repair offer workshops and events to organisations that have funds available. Ealing Repair Cafe started in 2019. Since then we have built-up techniques, tools and equipment to teach people how to repair their clothes.

We bring along to events:

  • Sewing equipment.
  • Samples of types of repairs, using different stitches and techniques.
  • Repair and mending books.
  • A variety of fabric scraps – for use as patches or to practice techniques.

We have some electric sewing machines that can be used at events if electrical supply can be provided. We also have our beautiful Duchess, a hand-powered Singer sewing machine, which is great when electrical connection is not available.

Ealing Clothes Repair Cafe believes that sewing and mending is great for your mental health and an act of mindfulness. There is always friendly chat and many who join our sessions have told us how much they enjoy them.

One person described a session as “so soothing and restorative I want to do it again”.

Another said “coming to a session is as pleasurable as eating a bar of chocolate!”

We also have developed a range of clothes upcycling projects using denim jeans or t-shirts that get people thinking about using their unwanted clothes to make useful items.

We usually source second-hand items from our own community or from Traid charity or Pre-loved sports, both of which support us in our projects. 

Types of Workshops and Events

We are flexible in the nature of the workshops and events we offer. Events are designed so they suit the event location, event aims and the type of participant. Our workshops can focus on repair or upcycling projects. We have also run back-to-back workshops in one day, which can be a combination of upcycling and repair sessions. Contact us to discuss event options.

Repair Workshops

We bring our Ealing Clothes Repair Cafe kit to teach people how to repair their items. Samples, books and upcycled projects are displayed to inspire. All levels of sewing are welcome, from beginners to advanced sewing skills, there’s always something new to share or learn. Participants bring along a clothing item that needs mending for guidance and suggestions from our tutors.

A repair workshop can include:

  • Introduction to repair techniques like patching and simple darning.
  • Advice for the item they want to repair.
  • Practice stitching techniques for patching on scrap denim squares.

If you are interested in having a workshop, please contact us.

Upcycling Workshops

Making Clothes is water intensive. For example, producing a single cotton t-shirt requires 2,700 litres of water. Or making one pair of jeans uses 8,000 litres of water – enough to meet the daily drinking needs of 4,750 people.
Source: Oxfam press release.

Our upcycling workshops are designed to re-use unwanted clothing and fabric. They require no sewing experience and all equipment is provided. Ealing Clothes Repair cafe can provide all the materials or participants can bring their own t-shirt or jeans if they prefer. 

If you are interested in having a workshop, please contact us.

 T-shirt yarn and drawstring bag

Drawstring bags made from old t-shirts for participants to take away or donate to local charities we work with. You will learn how to turn old t-shirts into yarn that can be used for the bag drawstring or used to create a keychain or bracelet. These can all be made at the session.

For full details on making the Upcycle t-shirt drawstring bag.

Upcycled Denim Draught excluder from old jeans

Make a draught excluder out of denim jeans or scrap fabric for participants to take away or donate to a local charity.

Draught excluders

Save money: On average, 15% of the money to heat our homes is lost to draughts. Putting draught excluders around doors or windows can save you money and keep homes warmer as the heat stays inside.

For full details on making a draught excluder.

Running a stall at an event

At events, we bring our Ealing Clothes Repair Cafe kit to help people with clothes repairs. The kit includes samples, books and upcycled projects displayed for inspiration. We also offer our popular family activity of making an upcycled t-shirt yarn bracelet or keychain to take away (free to participants). 

If you are interested in us attending your event, please contact us.

Promotion

Good promotion is essential for successful events. We recommend that those funding the workshops promote our event to their audience as that maximises the attendance to these events.

In addition, workshops and events can be promoted on our platforms:

Ealing Repair Cafe Event Options

Please contact us for a list of our fees. These fees include paying for the tutors’ time and experience plus the use of Ealing Clothes Repair Cafe equipment and materials. The workshop fee is the same for each type of workshop (repair or upcycle). We charge travel expenses if the location is outside Ealing central and local areas.

Possible options for workshops are:

  • Workshop with 1 repair tutor: Up to four participants:
    • 30 minute Set-up
    • 90 minute workshop
    • 30 minute Pack-up
    • Total time 150 minutes (3 hours)
  • Workshop with 2 repair tutors: Up to eight participants:
    • 30 minute Set-up
    • 90 minute workshop
    • 30 minute Pack-up
    • Total time 150 minutes (3 hours)
  • Running a stall at an event:
    • 30 minute Set-up
    • 180 minute event stall
    • 30 minute Pack-up
    • Total time 240 minutes (4 hours)

If you are interested in having us at your event, please contact us.