Lost Skills: Buttons and Hems

About the Lost Skills sessions

REthink Nillumbik is hosting a series of free and low-cost workshops at the local Hurstbridge and Edendale repair cafes. At these sessions you can learn fantastic new skills to use at home, and help Nillumbik reduce its waste and transition to a circular economy.

A circular economy is one that repairs, reuses and repurposes objects rather than throwing them away.

Lost Skills: Buttons and hems

Buttons and hems are two of the most common sewing repairs, and the easiest to fix for beginner sewists. Replacing a button or fixing a hem is a simple way to learn basic sewing skills and extend the life of your clothing.

In this session you'll learn techniques for securely attaching a variety of button styles, along with how to repair a dropped hem, or adjust a hem that's too long or too short.

You can bring a piece of your own clothing to work on, or practise on a sample we provide. If you don't have a replacement button, you're welcome to raid our button jar.

What to bring

In addition to an item of clothing, you might like to bring along a few things to help with your repair if you have them: 

• a basic sewing kit with needles and thread

• a craft lamp for good lighting

• reading glasses.

Who is it for?

This session is for beginner sewists who are interested in learning how to repair and embellish their clothing.

Additional info

• The session will be held indoors.

• We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible event environment for all attendees. If you have accessibility or inclusion concerns regarding this event, contact us about how we can help.

The REthink Nillumbik program is funded by Nillumbik Shire Council and supported by Edendale Community Environment Farm and NECAH (Nillumbik Environment and Climate Action Hub). The project will be delivered by Going Green Solutions and supports Council's climate action goal of net-zero community emissions by 2035.

Image by Freepik