Visible Mending - Sashiko Embroidery Workshop

Spend the month of March at the Studio with us and Renee Johnson, local fiber artist and our go-to for all things related to collecting and using Japanese fabrics, dyeing and embroidery techniques! We are calling it “Mending March” and can’t think of a better way to patiently wait for spring than by quietly working with our hands, connecting with others and slowing down to learn a new skill.

Japanese sashiko was originally used to add warmth and strength to clothing whilst reusing fabric. In this series of four, 1-hour evening lessons, Renee will guide you through creating a design “sampler”. You will learn how to prepare fabric, create a pattern on the fabric, choose needles and thread, proper stitching technique and different ways to finish your sampler. Each week Renee will introduce a new technique, help you get started, and then… you have the week to take your time and practice on your sampler fabric.

Lesson Times: Tuesdays, March 4, 11, 18 & 25

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Costs: Guided Instruction & Open Studio Access: $80.00 non-members; $60.00 members

Materials: $15.00 (paid to Renee Johnson at class time)

Total including materials: $95.00 non-members, $75 members

The materials include fabric, marking pencil, thread, needles and thimbles. They are yours to keep!

During the month, you are welcome to practice in the Studio during any of the 16 hrs of Open Studio times that are scheduled during the week. There are two daytime sessions and two evening sessions each week where you will find a creative buzz, little distraction from the outside world, and plenty of space to spread out.

Renee will have plenty of materials in the Studio available to try, fabrics and products for sale, a ton of reference books, and will be on-hand to answer questions as they come up while she is in the Studio working on her own projects, or in the Studio’s online chat room!

What a great way to wait for spring!

About Renee Johnson:

Renee is constantly exploring ways to re-purpose vintage and antique fabrics. Although this has been her main focus for the past decade, she has been sewing and creating items from natural or repurposed materials for the majority of her life. Renee is always on the search for unique and beautiful textiles and notions to be used by crafters and seamstresses alike. Renee also hand dyes fabrics and sashiko threads using natural materials like indigo and black walnut. If you are interested in mending, sewing or other traditional Japanese fabric/textile crafts, you can find her supplies online at RochesterTextile.com or stop by the studio during Open Studio times to see what she is working on! https://www.rochestertextile.com/