Workshops & Events
Mend with me in Chicago! Find me teaching at The Notch, Production Mode, Maydel, Tailorbird Fabrics, Red Line Service, Lot’sa, Dovetail Brewery, and more. See what’s coming up!
Want to host a workshop or sign up for private classes? Get in touch.
What’s next on the calendar:
Visible Mending Workshop at Necessary & Sufficient Coffee
- Necessary & Sufficient Coffee (map)
- Google Calendar ICS
Bring a well-worn item to fix, and Lucy will provide the materials and expertise to walk you through a creative and durable repair over the course of this morning’s workshop. You will get an overview of patchwork stitching basics (including the running stitch, whip stitch, sashiko, darning, and blanket stitch) and gain the direction to plan and complete a durable, beautiful mend. Physical examples of mended garments for inspiration and materials will be provided.
Past workshops & events
Swiss Darning is a mending technique that uses a needle and yarn to re-knit holes in knit fabrics for an “invisible” or bold and geometric look.
In this workshop, you will be provided a knit sample and a mini-zine to follow along in a step-by-step Swiss darning demonstration. The majority of class time will be spent darning the prepared sample, but depending on your level of comfort working with knits, you may also mend your own knit items at the end of class.
Learn how to mend fabric with us! Learn patchwork stitching basics, including the running stitch, whip stitch, sashiko, darning, and blanket stitch.
As is our practice, we will share a meal together. People with lived experience of being unhoused or housing insecure, will receive train fare. RSVPs are required.
Thank you to The School of the Art Institute Office of Campus Enrichment and Community Engagement for their support.
Learn how to mend fabric with us! Learn patchwork stitching basics, including the running stitch, whip stitch, sashiko, darning, and blanket stitch.
As is our practice, we will share a meal together. People with lived experience of being unhoused or housing insecure, will receive train fare. RSVPs are required.
Thank you to The School of the Art Institute Office of Campus Enrichment and Community Engagement for their support.
Join us for a leisurely evening of mending at Production Mode!
Lucy Leith, designer and Production Mode’s mending expert will lead a small group (10 ppl max) through the basics of mending—from threading a needle to patching your favorite clothes. Bring a well-worn item to fix, and Lucy will provide the materials and expertise to walk you through a creative and durable repair. No prior experience necessary!
Bring a well-worn item to fix, and Lucy will provide the materials and expertise to walk you through a creative and durable repair over the course of this free Sunday workshop. You will get an overview of patchwork stitching basics (including the running stitch, whip stitch, sashiko, darning, and blanket stitch) and gain the direction to plan and complete a durable, beautiful mend. Physical examples of mended garments for inspiration and materials will be provided.
This workshop is a part of the Chicago Conservation Corps (C3) program. Through C3, the Nature Museum provides training, funding, workshops, and volunteer opportunities that remove barriers to sustainability action for individuals and communities. By attending a C3 event, you become a C3 Explorer with access to volunteer days, workshops, and other involvement opportunities.
Come visit me and my closest collaborator, Rahaf (aka Palestinian Poppy) at Alley Cat Studio's very first art market in Evanston! As usual, I'll have an array of instructional mending zines, postcards, poppy dolls, and more. Rahaf will be bringing our special edition tatreez crane coat and more of her original upcycled tatreez designs.
Join us for a leisurely morning of mending at Production Mode!
Lucy Leith, designer and Production Mode’s mending expert will lead a small group (10 ppl max) through the basics of mending—from threading a needle to patching your favorite clothes. Bring a well-worn item to fix, and Lucy will provide the materials and expertise to walk you through a creative and durable repair. No prior experience necessary!
Over the course of the morning, Lucy will guide you through the patchwork mending basics, including the running stitch and whip stitch, with the opportunity for guidance of more advanced stitches for more experienced menders.
LucyDreamsOf is showcasing zines at the second every Biggest Little Zine Fest! BLZF happens outdoors, where hundreds of zine titles are available to browse and hundreds of guests gather throughout the day. Prices are capped for keep the event shopping accessible to attendees, and all proceeds (minus credit card fees) go back to the artists.
Save the date for the fifth annual 47th Ward Eco Fest! I’ll be tabling with All Things Mending; come by for a mending consult, shop mending zines, and sign up for classes!
Join us for a daytime Monday workshop! Bring a well-worn item to fix, and we will provide the materials and expertise to walk you through a creative and durable repair over the course of this afternoon workshop. You will get an overview of patchwork stitching basics (including the running stitch, whip stitch, sashiko, darning, and blanket stitch) and gain the direction to plan and complete a durable, beautiful mend. Physical examples of mended garments for inspiration and materials will be provided.
What is darning?
Darning is the act of repairing a torn or worn out piece of cloth by hand, weaving new threads into the old. It is a surprisingly simple mending technique that works great for small holes, like in worn out socks, chunkier knits, jeans, and moth-eaten sweaters, without the need for additional fabric patches.
Lucy will provide a demo, physical examples and diagrams to follow along, and guidance while you repair your own garments.
This workshop is intended to be fun and relaxing, for absolute beginners and experienced sewists alike. Come out for an enjoyable evening while learning a new skill. Drinks and light snacks will be provided.
Looking for a way to keep your kids engaged on their day off that doesn’t involve screens?
Bring a well-worn item to fix, and we will provide the materials and expertise to walk you through a creative and durable repair over the course of this afternoon workshop. You will get an overview of patchwork stitching basics (including the running stitch, whip stitch, sashiko, darning, and blanket stitch) and gain the direction to plan and complete a durable, beautiful mend. Physical examples of mended garments for inspiration and materials will be provided.
Join local designer, LucyDreamsOf, for an intro to all things mending—from threading a needle to patching your favorite clothes. Bring a well-worn item to fix, and Lucy will provide the materials and expertise to walk you through a creative and durable repair over the course of this 3-hour workshop. No prior experience necessary!
Meet us at Dovetail Brewery on Wednesday, March 25th 6:30-8:30pm. We'll provide the yarn, needle, instructional zine (by Lucy) and one beverage - you provide the knitwear to mend!
Join us for a leisurely morning of mending at Production Mode!
Lucy Leith, designer and Production Mode’s mending expert will lead a small group (10 ppl max) through the basics of mending—from threading a needle to patching your favorite clothes. Bring a well-worn item to fix, and Lucy will provide the materials and expertise to walk you through a creative and durable repair. No prior experience necessary!
Over the course of the morning, Lucy will guide you through the patchwork mending basics, including the running stitch and whip stitch, with the opportunity for guidance of more advanced stitches for more experienced menders.
What is darning?
Darning is the act of repairing a torn or worn out piece of cloth by hand, weaving new threads into the old. It is a surprisingly simple mending technique that works great for small holes, like in worn out socks, chunkier knits, jeans, and moth-eaten sweaters, without the need for additional fabric patches.
Lucy will provide a demo, physical examples and diagrams to follow along, and guidance while you repair your own garments.
This workshop is intended to be fun and relaxing, for absolute beginners and experienced sewists alike. Come out for an enjoyable evening while learning a new skill. Drinks and light snacks will be provided.
Swiss Darning is a mending technique that uses a needle and yarn to re-knit holes in knit fabrics for an “invisible” or bold and geometric look. In this workshop, you will be provided a knit sample and a mini-zine to follow along in a step-by-step Swiss darning demonstration. After the demo, students are invited to mend their own knit items. If you bring any moth-eaten items, please wash and/or freeze them for a week first!
It’s helpful but not necessary for students to have some basic knowledge of /experience with sewing and knitting.
Looking for a way to keep your kids engaged on their day off that doesn’t involve screens?
Spend an afternoon feeding your creativity with an intro to all things mending—from threading a needle to patching your favorite clothes, bags, plushies, and more. Learn the patchwork mending basics, including the running stitch and whip stitch, with the opportunity for guidance of more advanced stitches for more experienced students. You provide the things to mend, and we’ll provide the materials, demo, and physical examples and diagrams to follow along.
Join local designer, LucyDreamsOf, for an intro to all things mending—from threading a needle to patching your favorite clothes. Bring a well-worn item to fix, and Lucy will provide the materials and expertise to walk you through a creative and durable repair over the course of this 3-hour workshop. No prior experience necessary!
Sew your own iron-on patches with embroidery floss and felt! In this 2-hour workshop, you will collage with fabric and learn a few simple embroidery stitches to create your very own iron-on patch (back stitch, satin stitch, & blanket stitch). Students are welcome to work from provided templates or create their own completely unique designs.
Meet us at Dovetail Brewery on Wednesday, January 21st 6:30-8:30pm. We'll provide the yarn, needle, instructional zine (by Lucy) and one beverage - you provide the knitwear to mend!
Join us for a leisurely morning of mending at Production Mode!
Lucy Leith, designer and Production Mode’s mending expert will lead a small group (10 ppl max) through the basics of mending—from threading a needle to patching your favorite clothes. Bring a well-worn item to fix, and Lucy will provide the materials and expertise to walk you through a creative and durable repair. No prior experience necessary!
Over the course of the evening, Lucy will guide you through the patchwork mending basics, including the running stitch and whip stitch, with the opportunity for guidance of more advanced stitches for more experienced menders.
Meet us at Dovetail Brewery on Tuesday, October 21st 6:30-8:30pm. We'll provide the yarn, needle, instructional zine (by Lucy) and one beverage - you provide the knitwear to mend!
Darning is the act of repairing a torn or worn out piece of cloth by hand, weaving new threads into the old. It is a surprisingly simple mending technique that works great for small holes, like in worn out socks, chunkier knits, jeans, and moth-eaten sweaters, without the need for additional fabric patches.
In this workshop, Lucy will provide a demo, physical examples and diagrams to follow along, and guidance while you repair your own garments.
Required skills/prerequisites: None! Experience stitching with a needle and thread is helpful but not required.
Join local designer, LucyDreamsOf, for an intro to all things mending—from threading a needle to patching your favorite clothes. Bring a well-worn item to fix, and Lucy will provide the materials and expertise to walk you through a creative and durable repair over the course of this 3-hour workshop. No prior experience necessary!
Lucy Leith, designer and Production Mode’s mending expert will lead a small group (10 ppl max) through 3 specific stitches for mending rips, splits, and tears in fabric.
Lucy will provide a demo, physical examples and diagrams to follow along, and guidance while you repair your own garments.
This workshop is intended to be fun and relaxing. It’s an ideal workshop for sewists who know how to thread a needle, but total beginners are always welcome. Come out for an enjoyable evening while learning new mending techniques.
What is darning?
Darning is the act of repairing a torn or worn out piece of cloth by hand, weaving new threads into the old. It is a surprisingly simple mending technique that works great for small holes, like in worn out socks, chunkier knits, jeans, and moth-eaten sweaters, without the need for additional fabric patches.
Lucy will provide a demo, physical examples and diagrams to follow along, and guidance while you repair your own garments.
This workshop is intended to be fun and relaxing, for absolute beginners and experienced sewists alike. Come out for an enjoyable evening while learning a new skill. Drinks (cocktails & NA options) and light snacks will be provided.
Join us for a leisurely night of mending at Production Mode!
Lucy Leith, designer and Production Mode’s mending expert will lead a small group (10 ppl max) through the basics of mending—from threading a needle to patching your favorite clothes. Bring a well-worn item to fix, and Lucy will provide the materials and expertise to walk you through a creative and durable repair. No prior experience necessary!
Over the course of the evening, Lucy will guide you through the patchwork mending basics, including the running stitch and whip stitch, with the opportunity for guidance of more advanced stitches for more experienced menders.
Join local designer, LucyDreamsOf, for an intro to all things mending—from threading a needle to patching your favorite clothes. Bring a well-worn item to fix, and Lucy will provide the materials and expertise to walk you through a creative and durable repair over the course of this 3-hour workshop. No prior experience necessary!
What is darning?
Darning is the act of repairing a torn or worn out piece of cloth by hand, weaving new threads into the old. It is a surprisingly simple mending technique that works great for small holes, like in worn out socks, chunkier knits, jeans, and moth-eaten sweaters, without the need for additional fabric patches.
Lucy will provide a demo, physical examples and diagrams to follow along, and guidance while you repair your own garments.
This workshop is intended to be fun and relaxing, for absolute beginners and experienced sewists alike. Come out for an enjoyable morning while learning a new skill. Coffee, tea, and pastries will be provided.
Trying to decide which class to sign up for? Here's what to expect:
Visible Mending
Visible Mending workshops focus on adding patches, the running stitch, whip stitch, and their variations. It's a good opportunity for beginners to learn the basics of sewing, and experienced sewists to explore more creative, decorative (or invisible) techniques to add a patch.
Woven Darning
Woven Darning is a more methodical technique in which you re-weave fabric where there's a hole (no patching involved). It's often used in knitwear where a patch would feel out of place, but also works well for small holes in woven fabrics. Whereas patching allows for a lot of creativity, darning in its most basic form follows a very specific, step-by-step structure (like weaving). Students say they enjoy how meditative the process is.
Swiss Darning (aka “Duplicate Stitch”)
As the most advanced technique, this class is good for knitters, crocheters and sewists who like puzzles and want a bit of a challenge.
Iron-on Patches
Making a demo patch for this class was one of the most fun crafts I've done in a while. It's basically collage with a little bit of sewing. If you've been feeling like you're in a bit of a creative rut, come turn your brain off and cut out shapes and colors with me. I'll have templates for specific patterns (like a poppy postage stamp and a WE MELT ICE flame), but you are more than welcome to bring your own designs.
