Events
Learn to Mend and Upcycle Your Clothes Around London and South East England
Embrace slow fashion this autumn and extend the life of your clothes
by Ariel Fabbro
Photos by Immo Klink
Slowing down and adopting a more thoughtful approach to fashion means relearning nearly forgotten skills like mending and upcycling. These hands-on techniques not only help extend the life of your wardrobe but also encourage creativity, allowing you to craft something truly unique and personal through the time and care you put into it.
Many fashion groups are reviving these skills: some draw on time-honoured techniques like Japanese Sashiko stitching, while others add modern visible mending to clothes in need of repair with colourful threads.Â
Here are seven upcoming events in London and South East England this autumn to help you level up your sustainable fashion skills and make new connections. No experience or special equipment is needed—just bring something to rework!
Repair and refashion your clothes with Fast Fashion Therapy
Fast Fashion Therapy hosts regular clothing repair workshops in London and online. Their aim is to support a movement towards a fashion system based on environmental sustainability.
Fast Fashion Therapy offers free workshops which are in high demand. Keep an eye on their Instagram and eventbrite for new event postings and make sure to sign up early.
Upcycling events by F*ck Fast Fashion
F*ck Fast Fashion is a non-profit cooperative running a free clothing exchange shop based in Dalston. They also host events and workshops, including semi-regular fashion upcycling events. Learn to upcycle your halloween costume from unwanted clothes at the next two upcoming workshops.
You can find their latest events on eventbrite.
Sashiko Workshop by Yi Crafts
Yi Crafts is a handcrafts studio in North London that is sharing traditional Chinese and Japanese crafts through events and workshops. Â
This workshop teaches sashiko, a mending technique that originates in 16th century Japan. You will learn the cultural history of sashiko. And you will practice 4 patterns by making a placement and coaster.
You can watch our Interview with Yi Crafts founder Yiran here and find more events hosted by Yi Crafts on our events page.
Stitching and Mending by Mend House
Mend House is a Brighton based network of repair specialists, led by Saskia Weir, offering services and workshops around the South East and London. The hosts will help you extend the life of an old or damaged garment with ‘visible mending’, a technique that uses coloured thread to make a repair highlighting imperfections. The creative repair stands out and adds to the character of the garment.
Jacket in header image by Blue Barn Life.
Find more events in your area.
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