Photograph by Ross Costigan
Mark your calendars, invite your friends, and come join us for a day full of creativity, learning, and positive change! Let’s make a difference, one stitch at a time!
Join Kilkenny Arts Office from 10am to 4pm on Saturday October 19th, International Repair Day, for a Repair to Care, textile and clothing mending and repair day in St Canice’s Community Hall. The event is free and drop-in, so there is no need to book, just turn up and join in.
This fun and interactive event is all about inspiring positive changes that benefit both you and the planet. Let’s dive into the world of repair, reuse, and creativity, while learning how our everyday choices can help tackle climate change. Whether you’re a seasoned sewer or a complete beginner, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Throughout the day we will have live repair demonstrations in leatherwork, crochet and basic clothing alterations. See how you can transform your wardrobe with crochet hacking, repurposing and other techniques. Bring your own clothes that need mending and join other like-minded individuals to sit, sew and chat – you’ll be in good company! Meet past participants of our community textile workshops, who will share their experiences as non-professionals. They’ll showcase their achievements and prove that anyone can pick up these skills with a bit of practice.
For any embroiderers out there please join us to contribute your stitches to our large community sampler featuring beautiful motifs relating to textiles, mending, and the natural world. This collective artwork will be a testament to the power of community and collaboration. For beginners there will be plenty of embroidery hoops for learning basic stitches and practice.
Presentations on the day will include Claire Downey from the Rediscovery Centre who will join us to give a talk on Making Fashion Circular, helping us to uncover what’s in our fashion, where it comes from and where it goes. Also giving us an opportunity to chat about the choices we can make to reduce consumption through prevention, reuse and repair. Local writer Alice Bennet will read to us a beautiful and thought-provoking article written by award-winning climate action writer, Lynn Buckle exploring the importance of climate action, community involvement and the connections between our behaviours and the natural word.
And last, but certainly not least, come and be inspired by our call to action banners which will form the back drop to the event. These empowering banners, created by artists Lisa Hodge and Carrie Lynam, have been designed and created using only recycled materials and convey positive messages for positive changes that we can all make.
We look forward to welcoming you on October 19th to this fun and free day of sewing and conversation. Take time out to learn new skills and an understanding of how each of us can have a positive impact on climate change.
This event is designed and organised by Kilkenny Arts Office and supported by Vincents Charity Shop, the Arts Council and Kilkenny County Council’s Environmental Awareness Department
