On the Mend(ing)

I've signed up for a one-year mending workshop, taught by Ruth Katzenstein Souza, organized by Textile Arts LA.

Opening slide of Ruth's Power Point presentation

I haven't done a very good job at reducing Refurbish Mountain and I thought this might help me get back on track.

We met at Ruth's studio (so much eye candy!).
Our work table (a ping pong table!) was artfully arranged with sewing stuff along the center:

I made good use of some of the equipment -- I forgot a vital box of sewing gear.

I took too many items (as usual), including the huipil I mended two years ago (it needs MORE mending) at a previous workshop with Ruth. I didn't work on that though.

Instead, hoping to make something I could wear right away, I modified one of the African textiles that I bought last week. Got 2/3 done. The end of our day came WAY too fast.

I promise to get this done before we next meet in June.

It was a lovely, exciting, enriching afternoon  -- thanks so much Ruth and Textile Arts LA!

Linking up with Shelbee's Spread the Kindness

Slow Clothing and Mending at #CAFAM

Yesterday, I attended two related events at the Craft and Folk Art Museum that I found very transformative.

Here is what I took:

My huipil with the shredded shoulder and a [way too large a] pile of possible fabrics for patching.

Here is some of what I took in:
From Kath and Kim of The Possibility Project

From Ruth Katzenstein Souza

Along with her short slide lecture, Ruth brought along some examples of her Visible Mending to inspire us:

Jeans

Vest back and detail

Sweater (shown sideways)

I could have sat and stared at Ruth's huipil for a long time...

But it was time to get stitching!

I opted for the panty with a print that I designed and red embroidery floss.

Done! I call this Chaos Stitching -- decisions made in a flash, permission granted to dive right into it.

One of my main reasons for attending was to sit around a table with a bunch of others, stitching.

It was as wonderful as I'd hoped.

Feeling mended!

Final quote from Ruth:

Thank you so much, Kath, Kim, Ruth, and CAFAM!

I'm linking up with
Patti's Visible Monday
Shelbee's Spread the Kindness
Catherine's #SaturdayShareLinkUp