Mending on Denim with Katrina Rodabaugh

This class is part of the six-part virtual Mending Series II. Classes may be purchased à la carte at $75 or as a six-part package for a discounted price of $400. 

Mending is a wonderful way to practice hand-stitching and sustainability by extending the life of our textiles. Simple stitches transform torn or distressed garments and homewares through thoughtful repairs. Visible mending is a hand-stitching technique that combines patches, stitches, and design elements. The class will consider the creative opportunity in mending denim through careful consideration of materials, design, and stitching techniques. We will focus on high-contrast visible mending in visible areas like pockets or knees and, alternately, on low-contrast more invisible mending on less visible areas like the upper thighs of jeans. All mending will focus on hand-sewing on various weight denim—though techniques can be used on most woven fabrics.

This workshop will lead participants through an overview of basic stitches and patching before turning to a garment that needs mending. Katrina will discuss how best to repair garments considering fabric, thread, utility, beauty, and more. Students will leave the workshop with various resources, a mended garment (in-progress), and a class booklet. Basic sewing and stitching skills are required. Please note: We will focus primarily on mending woven denim in this class. We will not cover mending stretchy fabrics like leggings or darning knitted garments like sweaters.

Date + Time

Friday, October 3rd, 2025, 12 - 2:30 pm ET

Location

Zoom, a link will be emailed to participants the day before class.

Cost

$75 for the individual class
$400 for the series

Necessary Materials to Bring to Class

• Textile to mend—Garments made of denim are best for this class. Though most woven fabrics like linen or cotton will work too. Household textiles like quilts, tea towels, and tablecloths can also be repaired with these techniques.

• Patches of the same fiber and weight as the textile to be mended—midweight denim is best patched with a midweight denim patch; chambray denim is best patched with light denim patches; canvas with canvas patches, etc. 

Other Materials for Class

• 100% cotton Sashiko thread, metal needle, scissors, fabric pencil or marker, straight pins and/or safety pins, ruler, and a willingness to experiment. 

• A scrap of denim or midweight woven fabric for practice stitches—6 inches minimum.

• Optional: Fabric scissors, thimble, and pinking shears.

Scholarships 

We have two scholarships available for this experience. To be considered for a scholarship please fill out the scholarship application form.

Our Teacher

Katrina Rodabaugh is an artist, writer, and teacher working across disciplines to explore environmental and social issues through craft techniques. Mostly, she rethinks the relationship between fiber art, sustainability, and fashion. She’s the author of three books including Make Thrift Mend (2021) and Mending Matters (2018). Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Boston Globe, Martha Stewart Living, Selvedge Magazine, Sunset magazine, Taproot magazine, and more. She earned a BA in Environmental Studies and an MFA in Creative Writing though her fiber arts training started in childhood. She teaches, writes, and designs products for her online shop. She lives with her husband, two sons, chickens, cats, honeybees, and many dye plants in the Hudson Valley of NY. www.katrinarodabaugh.com

*All classes in this series will be recorded. A link to the recording will be emailed to all students following the live session. You may purchase the series as a whole even after the classes have begun. You will be emailed the recordings upon sign-up.