Hello! The cooler weather is here and it’s time to pull out your knits and other fall clothes to see if they need some love. Then, bring your favorites to one of our circles to learn how to mend them.
If you’ve ever been curious about what happens at a Visible Mending Circle, I’ve got the perfect way to give you a peek inside. Thanks to Daniel Gessel, who photographed, filmed, and put together a short video, you can get a feel for the vibe—hands busy stitching, fabric stories being shared, and the kind of cozy community energy that only happens when people gather to repair and create together.
Whether you’re brand new to mending or already love the meditative rhythm of needle and thread, these circles are for everyone. Take a look at the video, and if it sparks something in you, check out the schedule below—we’d love to have you join us at an upcoming circle!
We have two opportunities for mending this fall – both at the loft at Cherrydale Library 2190 North Military Rd, Arlington, Virginia 22207.
Visible Mending Circle
Our visible mending circle is every other Monday from 1:30-3:30 starting on September 8th. We will alternate between an open lab where you bring your own project (to stitch, patch, darn/weave, embroider, or needle felt) and learning a new technique.
September 8 – Open lab. Bring your current mending project to work on, with good company and good conversation. We provide fabric swatches and basic sewing supplies. Volunteer mend-tors will be available for advice.
September 22 – Embroidery mending. We’ll learn embroidery techniques for patching and covering holes and weak points. Bring clothes with small holes or stains.
October 6 – Open lab. Bring your current mending project to work on, with good company and good conversation. We provide fabric swatches and basic sewing supplies. Volunteer mend-tors will be available for advice.
October 20 – Needle felting. Bring any clothes with small holes or thinned areas. Woolen knits are ideal, but other materials will work too.
Registration recommended, so we have a rough count for materials – but you can also just show up.
Work Parties
Work Parties are one of my favorite ways to come together as a community. Think of them as cozy, hands-on gatherings where we team up to prepare materials that make our Visible Mending Circles possible.
We’ll be upcycling donated clothing, cutting fabric, ironing, sewing sashiko thimbles, and pitching in on whatever else needs doing so that our programs can stay free and open to everyone. It’s simple, joyful work—but it adds up to something much larger: each stitch, each snip, each press of the iron helps create a space where creativity and care can thrive.
We’ll have everything set up for you, so there’s no need to bring a thing—just yourself and your willingness to be part of something bigger.
September 15th 4-6 PM
September 29th 4-6 PM
October 13th 1:30-3:30 PM
October 27th 4-6 PM
Hope to see you soon!
Art on the Mend 