Dustin's Visible Mending Class

Learn to repair and add personality to ripped or worn clothing with creative hand stitching.

Let's keep our favorite clothing alive with visible mending!

This is a beginner-friendly class aimed at people with little to no hand sewing experience, as well as those who have tried basic mending and want to improve their skills.

Bring your favorite old jeans, that ripped fabric grocery sack or an old hat. You know, the ones you couldn't bring yourself to throw out. Let's patch them up, bring them back life and function... and if we're at it anyway, why not do it with some flair?

This is a hand sewing class, there will not be a sewing machine avialable. We're gonna chat, breathe, move slow, make some functional art, and drink tea.

Hosts: Dustin & Rose

Teacher: Dustin

What to Bring

• ✂️ A pair of scissors (We're both lefties, and most of our scissors are crap)
• 👖 Item(s) you'd like to mend (pants, shirt, skirt, bag, etc.)
• 🧶 Patch fabric(s) in a color or pattern you like

Preferred fabrics (non-stretch):

✅ Denim

✅ Cotton

✅ Canvas

✅ Linen

✅ Corduroy

🚫 No leather, avoid stretchy fabrics, please! (Not suitable for this class)

Good to know: Rips on pant legs (thighs, knees, calves) are generally easier to mend than those around the hips or butt. We recommend choosing an easier repair for your first project.

🪡 We Will Provide

• Embroidery thread
• Pins (for holding the patch in place during sewing)
• Needles (No. 24 Chenille, my preferred for this kind of work)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What's patch fabric?

Patch fabric is the piece of fabric used to cover and reinforce a damaged area. Choose something with a color or pattern you enjoy! It should be a non-stretch durable fabric, such as cotton, denim, or linen. It is best if the patch material is significantly larger than the area you intend to patch.

Why not leather?

Leather working requires tools we do not have.

What do you have against stretchy fabric?

Stretchy fabrics are significantly more challenging to work with, especially when you're learning. We're keeping things beginner-friendly. (If you really love it, bring it anyway, just know you're likely to have more difficulty)

Who is this class for?

This is a beginner class, welcoming everyone. You'll likely gain the most from it if your skill level is between "I've never held a needle and thread!" and "I've done a few small repairs."

🌈 Event Guidelines

🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQIA+ Friendly

This is a rainbow-friendly event, held in a pretty-poly-rainbow household, with a rainbow of flowers in the yard and crystals in the windows. There will be rainbows.

Requests from the hosts: We ask attendees to refrain from sharing explicit, sex or kink stories during this event.

🥪 Food & Drink

This is not a potluck event. There is limited space for shared food. Please arrive having already eaten or bring food for yourself. There is a mexican restaurant down the street if you find yourself hungry halfway through.

Water, coffee, and tea will, in all likelyhood, be offered to you more than once. We accept your right to decline hydration though we advise against it.

♿ Accessibility

The event will take place in a space accessed through a side entrance of the main house. Do not knock at the front door to access event.

• Enter through the gate on the right side of the driveway.
• Follow a roughly 75-foot walkway to the entrance which will be the second door on the left.
• The concrete walkway has some uneven areas and bumps. Watch your step.
• There are two steps up into the house.

Wheelchair access may be challenging. Please contact the organizer if you have further questions about accessibility.

SCENT-FREE EVENT

The hosts have scent allergies. Please avoid using scented products when preparing for this event.

🚫 No perfume, cologne, or fragranced body products.

🚫 No Smoking or Drinking at this event.

👨‍👩‍👧 Bringing Children (Ask First)

Children who are interested in participating and learning to sew may be welcome. Please contact the organizer in advance to discuss.

📧 Questions?

Email: openheartedcommunity@gmail.com

🎟️ TICKETS & PAYMENT

Ticket Cost: $10/person

All attendees must register through Eventbrite, even if paying separately. There are several payment options available.

1) DEFAULT -> pay via EVENTBRITE

Purchase your $10 ticket directly through Eventbrite. Additional processing fees apply.

2) EPAY — Skip Eventbrite Fees

Use promo code EPAY at checkout, then send payment after your ticket is confirmed.

$10/person

Venmo (Preferred): @dustinoxfordvenmo.com/u/dustinoxford

Select the correct payment option so your app doesn't add or deduct fees. Include the event date and "Mending Class" in the payment note.

3) CASH

Use promo code CASH at checkout, then pay Dustin directly at the event.

4) FREE

If the cost of a ticket would keep you from attending for any reason, use promo code FREE at checkout. No questions asked.

5) HALF OFF

Use promo code HALF at checkout for a 50% discount if paying full price is a barrier.

$5/person