The Woods Hole Public Library will hold a two-part workshop on the traditional Japanese craft of Visible Mending, led by Crickett Warner on Mondays, March 20 and March 27 at 6 PM. Each session will run for one and one half hours. First recorded in the 16th century, Japanese peasants repaired worn-out clothing using scraps and sashiko stitching to make their garment stronger and more beautiful.
A life-long fiber creator, Crickett learned to sew, quilt and knit from her grandmother. With thrift and hip-ness in mind, she patched her first pair of jeans in the mid-70’s and has been rescuing clothing ever since. Following the fashion of recent years, Crickett acquired a pair of ripped jeans (yes, she paid extra for the holes) and soon found that her knees were chilly. Employing traditional Japanese philosophy of boro and sashiko stitching technique and scraps of cotton and linen from her stash, she soon warmed up and began to create wearable art.
In the past few years, the trend of “upcycled” clothing has grown along with a movement toward “slow fashion” – make, mend or thrift your wardrobe – with the environment in mind. Following in her grandmother’s Depression-era thrifty footsteps, Crickett believes that it is better for the environment to repair and reuse whenever possible.
She invites others to join the renewed trend of repairing and upcycling their clothing with Visible Mending, using traditional Japanese techniques and patterns. Using thread and needles specifically made for sashiko stitching, most students will patch up one section of their own garment during the workshop, others may finish up last stitches at home.
Crickett says “Bring your own jeans or clothing item – holes not required – so you can wear your master-piece. Patterns and directions and instruction provided. Sewing experience helpful but not necessary.
People must register ahead of time either by calling the Library at 508-548-8961 or emailing whpl_mail@clamsnet.org. The number of participants is limited. There will be a modest materials fee of $10, as tools for these sessions will be ordered ahead of time, including special Sashiko thread and a traditional and adjustable Japanese thimble.