Happy Newvember!

I am really excited to be involved with so many resourceful events and initiatives this month helping us to make the most of what we already have, be less wasteful and prolong or breathe new life into our belongings (and mindsets!) I hope you can join Fabrications at one of the following events! 

Hackney Fixers proudly presents 'The BIG Fix' 

Hackney's first festival of fixing! At St Mark's Church, Dalston, Saturday 21st November, 11am - 4pm

There is an impressive line up of experienced fixers to help you and teach you how to repair all kinds of items: electrical goods, electronics, clothing, chairs, bikes and more! Start getting ready with your stuff! 

Fabrications: Bring along an item of clothing to refresh. Learn patching, darning, sewing and alterations.

The Restart Project: Their fixers work with you to repair your gardgets (including mobile phones, laptops, printers, kitchen appliances and more!)

Hackney Bike Workshop: Fix your bicycle. Safety check, tyre check & pump up. Brake & gear adjustment & lubrication.

The School of Stuff: Chair repair surgery. Get sdvice and learn techniques for fixing your chair.

Traid: Protect your winter wardrobe, make a natural origami moth deterrent 

Eco Active: Make useful wallets, bags & beads from recycled materials.

Sugru: Demos and ideas on ways to use this amazing 'mouldable glue' or '21st Century duck tape!' which has become a globable fixing phenomenum - manufactured in Hackney!

Sustainable Hackney and Hackney Council's recycling team will also be on hand to provide information on recycling, waste prevention and re use.

 

 The Upcycling Academy is back! This time we will be at the Christmas Bust 'Craftacular' 

at York Hall, Bethnal Green, Sunday 22nd November, 11am - 5pm

'Craftacular' is one of London's largest and finest indie maker events. 'The Upcycling Academy' is an educational model created by Barley Massey (Fabrications) in conjunction with Traid, War on Want and The Craftivist Collectrive. Our aim is to start conversations and feel inspired to adjust our actions through hands on learning into textile waste, creative upcycling and better fashion industry practises.
 

Create a sweater bobble hat with Traid – 12-2pm – £5 – book here
Customise a Christmas jumper with Fabrications – 2-4pm – FREE* (bring your own jumper or Traid will have some to prchase before the workshop)
Fuse activism with craft and write a secret scroll with Craftivist Collective – 3- 5pm – FREE

Up next is TRAID's  #SecondHandFirst week which celebrates the power of second-hand to change the world by keeping the resources we already have in use for longer. It was launched by TRAID in 2014 and their key aim is to increase the number of people committing to wearing and sourcing more of their clothes (and other resources) second-hand, rather than new. The week will be packed full of events and actions, both in the UK and across the globe, to connect you to the huge environmental and social benefits of second-hand. Join Fabrications for our special #SecondHandFirst 'Darn it! Patch it! PARTY  at Fabrications,  Thursday 26th November, 6.30 - 9pm

Want to 'Refresh your Wardrobe' and unlock it's value? This is a regular class at Fabrications, because we love to pass on clothing care & repair techniques and inspiration all year round! Check out our CALENDAR for up and coming workshops and events! 

Mini workshop at the Guardian

This week I ran my 'Refresh your wardrobe' (mend + uplift) workshop with some lovely people who work at the Guardian's new offices at Kings Cross. The Guardian is a forward thinking newspaper, they have their own sustainability team who were responsible for organising a series of workshops for employees as part of their own Sustainability Week.
I bought in my mobile unit (a laden bicycle!) of darning wools, mushrooms, needles, patches, threads and a collection of inspirational reclaimed haberdashery for customising with and passed on some simple darning, mending and alteration tips and everyone made a recycled rosette too before they left. What a good lunch hour!

Holier Holes

Picking up the threads of my previous post 'Holy Holes' where I suggested the possibility of sporting 'show off' or 'fashion statement' darning and mending patches. For those of you adverse to the time consuming labours of sewing Suzi Warren of Twisted Twee has a perfect and witty solution...Just pick up an iron and "Let them's as made the 'oles mend the 'oles"

There are 5 patches in a little screen printed drawstring bag.
On sale now at Fabrications!

And drawing even more attention to wear and tear defects -
Suzi's 'Stains without shame' iron on pointer patches!!

Holy holes!

Last year I showed my house mate Claire some simple darning techniques, after she went through her wardrobe and discovered those naughty Hackney moths had targeted some of her favorite garments, including this DKNY knitted mustard yellow dress....

I love her approach to this large mending challenge! - treating the darning as if painting onto the dress from a palette of mustard yarns at the top which blends through to shades of brown that stand out. This dress has been totally transformed and given a new lease of life. With cheap clothing being so readily available mending and darning has become less of a necessity as it once was but perhaps it could become a desirable fashion statement to show off and be proud of restoration or a stand against fast fashion. It's not make do and mend but make and uplift! (thanks to Annie Sherburne for those words of wisdom!)

There are spaces still available on our 'Refresh your wardrobe' workshop on Sunday 13th February, where we invite you to go through your wardrobe and bring in a few items of clothing in need of repair or some love and attention. We will show you simple darning, patching and customising techniques. For more details and info on how to book visit the workshop section on our website.

NEW workshop programme

Fabrications is proud to announce new dates for our Sunday afternoon (2 - 4.30pm) classes for January - March. Firm favorites are back but we are also very excited about introducing some different sessions and also a couple of new teachers to the fold! For further details and information on how to book please visit the workshop and calender section of our website.

Katherine May's 'Textile Tokens' workshop draws inspiration from her favorite
exhibitions 'Quilts' at the V+ A and 'Threads of Feeling' at the foundling Museum

January Dates:
Sunday 16th: Beginners Knitting with Barley Massey, learn the basics and get started.
Sunday 23rd: Taste of Patchwork with Katherine May, create a mini quilt sample 'block' step by step from choosing fabrics to edging and finishing.
Sunday 30th: Beginners Crochet with Ayda Anlagan, how to hold the hook and yarn to create single, double and treble chain stitches.

Barley Massey 'Darn it!' workshop. Image taken by Clara Vuletich at Bricolage's
pop up shop in Brixton market, December 2009

February Dates:
Sunday 6th: Textile Tokens with Katherine May, make a personal fabric keep sake to give to someone special from embroidery stitches and patchwork.
Sunday 13th: Refresh your Wardrobe with Barley Massey, give your old garments a new look through darning, patching + customising.
Sunday 20th: DIY Couture - make your own cloak with DIY couture author Rosie Martin.
Sunday 27th: Beginners Knitting with Barley Massey, learn the basics and get started. If you attended the beginners knitting on the 16th January, then you can explore more!

This could be you! Images from Rosie Martin's 'DIY Couture' Make a cloak book, which is included with Rosie's session

March Dates:
Sunday 6th: Socks + Spinning with Sue Russell. From top to toe and step by step through the process.
Sunday 13th: Unravelling Knitting Patterns with Lisa Margreet. Aimed at beginners get confident reading patterns, increasing + decreasing and assembling + finishing techniques.

Hope to see you, meet you, teach you!

Summer of crafty fun!

Dates for your diaries! Get out and about with Fabrications and friends! We hope you can join in our FREE! (thanks to the councils listed below) workshops and fun activities at the following events this summer:

Sunday 6th June, Art Car Boot Fair (Trumans Brewery, Brick Lane) 12 - 6pm
Join Belle + Barley (Emotional Baggage handlers) at the Art Car Boot Fair and become a winner at their 'Lost + Found' tombola. Over 200 prizes including one off artworks and quirky, entertaining or gaming inspired curio.

Saturday 12th June, Make do + Mend Cafe (Southwark Park, Rotherhithe) 12 - 6pm

Join Fabrications + Good Old Days hair salon for a 1940's experience within this year's Bermondsey + Rotherhithe Carnival.

Create a fascinator, have your hair styled 1940's or bring along an item of clothing in need of repair or transformation on our make + do tables, full of inspirational re used and vintage haberdashery thanks to Southwark Council and LMB.

Saturday 19th + Sunday 20th June, Paradise Gardens (Victoria Park, Hackney)

We will be in the activities tent within the family area at the lovely local Paradise Gardens event. We will be offering our giant knitting and french knitting (create a lovely scarf, boa or knitted jewelry) and rosette making. All materials provided thanks to Tower Hamlets Council.

Saturday 17th + Sunday 18th July, Newham Mayors Show (Central Park, East Ham)

Newham Mayors show is a great family event. Come and find us in the 'Craft + Hobbies' tent where we will be offering giant knitting and French knitting and the opportunity to create a fabulous festival fascinator to wonder about in and be wondered at!

We will also be setting up our 'Make do + mend' tables to bring along your clothes for surgery or revamping in the 'Heritage/wartime history area'. All other materials provided thanks to Newham Council.

DARN IT!

Images taken when Michael Swaine came 'Door to Door Darning' at Fabrications in 2008

This Thursday 21st January

6.30 -9pm at 'Bricolage'

shop 45, 2nd Avenue, Brixton Village, Brixton Market, South London.

(left after bridge off Coldharbour Lane, through blue gates)

Bring along any old garments that need mending. I will be showing traditional darning and contemporary customising and embellishment techniques so you can breathe new life into those old clothes!

The session costs £15 / person and includes a lovely little 'Darn it' mending kit that I've put together.

To book contact: info@bricolageproject.com

Bricolage is a textile collective specialising in contemporary bespoke textiles.

JANUARY + FEBUARY WORKSHOPS

Happy New Year to you!
In this chillsome weather it's time to get cosy and crafty!
Each session is at the shop, lasts 2 1/2 hrs and costs £20 / £15 conc. This includes a kit with everything you need for the session and yours to keep at the end.

BEGINNERS KNITTING
Sunday 25th January, 2 - 4.30pm

Getting started with Barley Massey - Learn how to Cast On, Knit + Pearl Stitch, introducing a new colour and of course casting off!

MENDING + DARNING PARTY
Sunday 1st February, 2 - 4.30pm

Mend them holes! Customise an old item of clothing and breathe new life into it! Make simple alterations for a made to measure look!

Bring along your old yet treasured clothes and learn a range of simple hand sewing, darning, embelishing and alteration techniques and tricks.

INTERMEDIATE + ADVANCED KNITTING
Sunday 8th February, 2 - 4.30pm

This classes led by Rachael Matthews is tailored to what YOU want to learn!
She will also incorporate info on how to read knitting patterns, shaping, increasing + decreasing, creating your own patterns, textures, 3d knitting as well as general support, advice and tips.
You will need to know the basics (casting on + off, Knit + pearl) inorder to make the most of these session.

QUICK KNIT SCARF/SHRUG or accessory (intermediate+)
Sunday 15th February, 2 - 4.30pm

Wrap up warm and leave Fabrications with your very own designer scarf, shrug or wrap around! This creative session will be led by Barley Massey and Katherine Grace and focusses on working on GIANT knitting needles, GIANT french knitting stools and yes GIANT circular needles.
There will be lots of interesting chunky yarns, tassles, corsage making tool etc to design and create with.

BEGINNERS KNITTING
Sunday 22nd February, 2 - 4.30pm

Getting started with Barley Massey - Learn how to Cast On, Knit + Pearl Stitch, introducing a new colour and of course casting off!

CROCHET (Beginners + Improvers)
Sunday 1st March, 2 - 4.30pm

Create a crochet daffodil the national flower of Wales during this special St David's Day session led by Rachael Matthews. All levels of crocheters are welcome. Rachael's straightforward, fun and freestyle approach will get you started and inspired.

Door to Door Darning

Michael Swaine is knocking at Fabrications' door next Tuesday 7th October, 6.30 - 8.30pm during his London darning tour! During the evening Nikki Phaill (aka Cherry Bakewell) from the "Great Cake Escape" will also be bringing baking and small acts of kindness.

We are looking forward to meeting him and have got some holy socks lined up for him!
Micheal follows the "Reap what you sew" philosophy and over in San Fransisco his "Generosity Project" allows people on the street to bring their clothes to be repaired on his mobile treadle sewing machine.

If you miss Micheal at Fabrications you can also catch up with him at the other local textile emporiums : Prick Your Finger (Bethnal Green) and Jessie Chorley + Buddug (Columbia Road) or at the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace (9th - 12th October)