Sewing can be a bit daunting but community clothing-repair workshops are popping up around Aotearoa to help people out.
Since April, Wellingtonians have been learning how to mend their own items at Just Sew Sessions in central Wellington.
Just Sew Session at the Wellington Sustainability Trust Photo: Supplied
"The sessions really are all about sharing skills and ensuring that people have resources to be able to repair stuff rather than sending it off to landfill or going to buy new", says Kim Tabrum from the Sustainability Trust, which hosts the workshops.
So far, Just Sew workshops have attracted a mix of people who need help repairing an item and others keen to re-engage with sewing skills they haven't used in a while, Tabrum says.
For those who are already "competent and confident", the workshops have DIY tables set up with sewing machines.
To join a session, people sign up online and mention what kind of items they want to repair so they can be matched with a volunteer.
This person will then fix the item and, if requested, offer instruction and support.
"The sessions really are all about sharing skills and ensuring that people have resources to be able to repair stuff rather than sending it off to landfill or going to buy new."
Many people are keen to learn how to use a sewing machine, Tabrum says, but others want to just pick the skills for easy fixes such as darning socks, patching jeans and hemming.
Handbag straps, bra clips and bra underwires have also been given new life at the sessions.
Community sewing workshops also take place in Kilbirnie, Upper Hutt and Upper Hutt.
In Auckland, there are branches of the international 'Repair Cafe' movement in Newton and West Auckland.
