Now, where were we?

About three years ago I realised that sewing and, more specifically, mending was how I wanted to use my creativity in a more practical way.

I’d been a devoted screen printer for about a decade, but I was feeling uneasy about the amount of waste involved, and using the unfriendly chemicals*.

I’ve always dabbled in sewing, so I already knew it was an excellent way to spend time. But coming across a bunch of talented visible menders on Instagram opened me up to a whole new world of beautiful, creative techniques to fix up tatty old things that I hadn’t known existed. I started daydreaming about how I could update my wardrobe without ever needing to fund a deeply greedy, unethical fashion brand ever again.

In my excitement at discovering my new creative outlet I geared myself up for #mendmarch and managed (to document, at least) all of seven days before helplessly succumbing to motherhood, among other commitments.

In between times I’ve had another baby, moved country and then moved house another two times. Through the stress and sleep deprivation, some how the desire to become a mender-extraordinaire, along with my hope to bring together other people who feel similarly done with buying new things and throwing away old ones because we don’t know what to do with them… has remained.

I am excited to be finally re-emerging from this three-year-long haze, and to return to the idea that’s been bubbling under the surface all along.

Making Mends, I am back.

So, what’s the plan?

As a relative newcomer to Bristol, I’m currently scoping out the lay of the land; who are all the brilliant local makers and menders? Where do they hang out? Where should and/or could I hold Fix Club? Will anyone even want to come? If you know the answers to any of these questions, please let me know!

I want to create warm, welcoming mending events in Bedminster, South Bristol, where we can make new connections while learning how to love our clothes that little bit longer and harder. I’m excited to get to grips with all kinds of age-old mending techniques, and get through my own mending pile, all while keeping a whole load of textiles out of landfill for longer. Maybe even forever.

If this sounds like your bag, I’d love to hear from you. Either get in touch, or sign up to receive updates about Fix Club details, and I’ll let you know once I’ve got myself sorted.

For now, thanks for reading. <3

*Saying that, there are some great ways to use screen printing using non-chemical stencils that can totally bring old textiles back to life. But more on that another time.