If you love sewing, sustainability, or simply the idea of giving your clothes a second chance, I have exciting news! The Mending Box is coming back. With a brand new home at The Sewing Shed in Ilkley, it’s back bigger and better than before with more scope to tackle larger projects.
Why The Mending Box Matters
Originally launched for Sustainable Fashion Week 2023, The Mending Box was a community initiative designed to encourage people to repair, rework, and revive their clothing instead of throwing it away. It quickly became a local success, showing that there is a real demand for learning mending skills.
But did you know?
- 57% of Brits believe sewing is a disappearing skill among younger generations.
- 23% don’t know how to sew on a button.
- 37% say they wouldn’t know how to alter the length of a pair of trousers.
- (Statistics from the British Heart Foundation’s Big Stitch Campaign.)
That’s why The Mending Box is returning—to keep these vital skills alive.
A New Home, A New Format
I’m so pleased to be relaunching at The Sewing Shed, a creative space housed in a beautiful converted chapel in Ilkley. Here we have access to sewing machines, overlockers, colourful embroidery threads, and expert guidance, taking sessions beyond hand-stitched repairs to include:
- Machine repair techniques
- Alterations (perfecting fit, fixing hems, and more)
- Creative upcycling & repurposing (turning worn-out garments into something new!)
Just bring along a project, and let’s see where it takes you!
Join Our First Session …….
📅 Monday, March 31st, 12:30 – 2:30 PM
📍 The Sewing Shed, Ilkley (free parking outside the venue)
📆 Future sessions: The last Monday (ish) of every month
📌 Spaces are limited – click HERE to book
Why You Should Join
Learning to mend is empowering, sustainable, and a great way to get creative. Plus, it’s a wonderful opportunity to meet like-minded people who share a love for textiles and fashion with a purpose.
So whether you’re a total beginner or an experienced stitcher, come along, bring a project, and let’s get mending together.