About this Event
Through hands-on repair and collective reflection, participants are invited to slow down and reconsider their relationship with clothing, connecting more deeply to the materials they wear, the labor embedded in them, and the environmental impact of textile waste. Repair becomes not just a practical skill, but a meaningful practice of care for both garments and the planet.
By Dr. Marium Durrani : A Toronto-based anthropologist, educator and mender whose work focuses on repair, garment longevity, and the sociology of fashion, with an emphasis on community well-being.
Schedule: (Total time: 2 hours)
Introduction & Context (30 minutes): The workshop opens with a short talk on garment repair as a response to textile waste and overconsumption. Participants will be invited to introduce the garment they’ve brought and reflect on its history and significance.
Prompted discussion may include:
- What is the garment? (shirt, jacket, shoes, scarf, etc.)
- How old is it?
- What does it look like? (color, texture, details)
- Where did you get it from?
- Why do you wear it often or feel attached to it? This sets the tone for repair as a personal and relational act, rather than a purely technical one.
Hands-On Repair Session (60 minutes): Participants will be introduced to basic hand-mending techniques and work in small groups to repair their own garments. This hands-on session focuses on cotton and denim fabric, guiding participants through simple, practical fixes.
Together, participants will learn how to:
- Sew on missing buttons by hand
- Mend loose seams, small rips and tears using hand stitches
- Reinforce worn areas with simple hand-sewing techniques
NOTE: All necessary materials - including various colors of threads, needles, fabric patches, and irons - will be provided.
Sharing & Reflection (30 minutes): The workshop concludes with a group discussion reflecting on the experience. Guiding questions may include:
- What surprised you about this exercise?
- Did this change how you think about your clothes or about garment repair?
- How did the process of repairing feel? Was it easier or harder than expected?
Through collective reflection, participants are encouraged to consider how repair might continue to play a role in their everyday lives.
See you soon!
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
63 Regent Park Boulevard, Toronto, ON, Canada
CAD 37.54
