Book into one of our workshops at Mt Evelyn Community House - Station House, 50 Wray Crescent, Mount Evelyn

Learn how to live more sustainably by focusing on everyday choices and actions. The skills learnt at these free workshops will empower you to reduce waste through avoidance, reuse and repair.

Thu 25 May, 10-12pm | Create your own plastic free produce bags
Thu 25 May, 12.30-2.30pm | Mend your woollens with darning & needle-felting

We are also running workshops at:

Japara House (Kilsyth) - click here for more info and to book.
Chirnside Community Hub - click here for more info and to book.

Create your own plastic free produce bag

Thursday 25 May, 10-12pm

One of the simplest ways to reduce our impact on the environment is to swap out single-use plastics with alternatives that are friendlier for the world we live in. Every reusable bag helps because an average plastic bag is used for a mere 12 minutes and takes 100s years to break down.

Come along and learn how you can make reusable produce bags out of reclaimed material. This FREE hands-on session with Tamara Russell will cover selecting the right fabric, sewing single and French seams and how to insert a ribbon/cord tie, plus every step in between, guiding you in making yourself two styles of bag.

What will we cover?

The workshop is suitable for both beginners and more experienced stitchers. No prior sewing skills are required. We will begin with some sewing basics, learn running stitch and French seams and be shown how to put together your bag. Take away the skills to make more and eliminate your need to use single use plastic produce bags ever again. You will be provided with all materials required.

What to bring:

Your imagination and enthusiasm!

What is provided:

Reclaimed fabrics

Mend your woollens with darning & needle-felting

Thursday 25 May, 12.30-2:30pm

Do you have a favourite jumper with worn out elbows or that the moths had a feast on? Come along to this FREE workshop with Tamara Russell and learn how to make the clothes you love last. You will learn some different forms of darning along with how to needle felt to fix those holes and make your woollens last making them a delight to wear again.

Mending is a great life skill which can save you money, save your clothes and reduce your impact on the environment! You will learn how to add colour to your woollens for a visible repair and how to colour match wool to repair as invisibly as possible.

What will we cover?

The workshop is suitable for both beginners and more experienced menders We will begin with some mending basics, look at how to prepare your woollens for repair and about different types of darning along with the art of needle felting. We will then discuss options for the clothes you bring along. Then it will be time to get creative, applying beautiful repair techniques to your woollens. Each participant will receive a starter Needle darning kit to take home.

What to bring:

Your woollens that have stains, rips or holes that need repairing
Feel free to bring any fabric, yarn or embellishments you may like to add too
And most importantly bring your imagination and enthusiasm!

Presenter bio

Tamara Russell is a Textile Artist specialising in free machine embroidery, hand stitching and mending based in Melbourne. She has been making her clothes and mending since a teenager. Loving to personalise her wardrobe with visible mending, embroidery and embellishment. Tamara enjoys teaching various forms of mending and embroidery. She also happily accepts commissions to mend your old favourites. Visit karhina.com or follow her on Instagram @karhina_textileart.

This event is proudly funded by Yarra Ranges Council Grants for Community program