Hemming & Mending - Fix Your Own Clothes with Hand Sewing

Come join me at my Studio on E 23rd Street in Oakland, to learn how to shorten pants and skirts, hem different fabrics, fix split seams, darn holes and more. Everything is done with hand sewing, no sewing machines needed.

In this class, local maker and textile artist Bea Byrne will guide you through the basics of how clothes are made, and how to choose the best mending method. You'll be provided with sample items to practise on, and using them we will

• shorten some pants and sew the new hem by hand. (We'll also discuss how to do this with jeans while keeping the original stitching around the ankle.)
• repeair a split seam in the crotch or side of a garment (we'll practice on sweatpant/shirt material)
• look at how to reinforce the crotch of a pair of pants where it has worn out or torn
• watch how to mend a hole in a t-shirt or sweater, with you being able to choose which one to practice

We will then have time to spend examining the damaged garments you have brought with you and talking about how to mend those. Each attendee can bring 2-3 clean garments and we will look at at least 2 of them. Bea will advise you on how to mend these but will not be able to mend them for you.

Ages: 10-15 year olds need to be accompanied by an adult. 16+ are welcome to attend solo. This class is not suitable for under-10s.

Supplies Needed: All tools and supplies for this class are included. You are welcome to bring 2-3 items of your own clean clothing.

Parking: Street parking available.

Instructor Bio: Bea Byrne is a maker, textile artist, and instructor located in Oakland, CA. Hailing originally from the UK, Bea spent time working and teaching in both London and Tokyo before finally landing in the Bay Area. She offers workshops in many areas of the apparel arts (sewing, quilting, embroidery, jewelry making, and more), as well as consulting with artists to help them increase their visibility online and to develop new and additional income streams related to their art. To see more of Bea's wide range of work, visit https://beabyrne.com and follow her insta at @beabyrneartist.