Words by Samantha Harman
www.mendhouse.co.uk
Imagine your favourite item of clothing is ripped, quite often that’s a cause to rush out and buy another one to replace it, right? Not anymore! You can now take part in a Mend House workshop where you’ll learn how to repair said item under the expert guidance of Saskia Weir, who is passionate about mending. Saskia has run mending workshops in London for the last two years, including at The Tate Modern and has now turned her expert sewing fingers to Brighton. Discover chatted to her to find out more…
Tell us about your background? I’m from Scotland originally but studied Fashion Design and Business Studies here in Brighton. I learned traditional pattern cutting and sewing and graduated in 2020 (from home, Covid) For my final piece I handwove a jacket, my dad was my model and my photoshoot took place in my granny’s garden! It was a real family effort. After I completed my collection I found I had loads of fabric leftover and didn’t really know what to do with it. An artist called Molly Martin hosted a repair workshop with Toast via Zoom, so me and my mum took part and became completely obsessed. From there I started fixing all mine and my family’s clothes and Mend House grew slowly through word of mouth.
What can people expect when they come to a Mend House workshop? My Brighton workshops are low key and really relaxed with a maximum of 15 people at a time. These take place at The Hope and Ruin and The Prince George currently. Attendees just need to bring an item of clothing they’d like to fix and I provide all of the fabric and equipment. They will get to practice on some second hand fabric (washed beforehand!) before repairing the item they bring.
Have you noticed any benefits to mending clothes? Attendees have mentioned that the classes have felt therapeutic and they always tell me how relaxed they feel afterwards. The workshops are a great way to meet like minded people too.
Are the workshops suitable for beginners? Absolutely! Beginners are always encouraged and because my classes are small, I have the time to focus and help each person.
All sounds amazing! When will your next workshops take place? Prince George Brighton – 17th September, 15th October, 12th November. Hope and Ruin – 19th August, 16th September, 21st October.
