Mending Party

Everyone who sews has a pile of mending. The button falls off, something needs a patch, trim needs to be reattached, hems get caught on a heels and need re-hemming. And because sewers know how to fix these problems they put them aside to fix. And they sit aside, and sit aside, and keep to the side until we forget we even owned them. We know there are systems to tackle jobs we do not want to do however, self discipline plays a part in them all. So, forget those systems, let’s just get our piles together and have a party.

The set up is easy. Bring in a lot of lamps for task lighting. This is not a party where mood lighting is allowed. Put up an ironing board and iron in case someone needs it (some one did at my gathering). Since I always forget something and thought so might my guest, I put thread, grouped in small baskets by color, and some basic supplies (scissors, seam ripper, pins, needles and fray check) on the coffee table for all to use.

Set out some light snacks (I offered popcorn, cheese, nuts and chocolate) and wine and sparkling water and put on some music. A party, even a mending party, needs music.

The evening together mending turned out to be a wonderful couple of hours. Better than I had imagined. Good conversation, good friends and by the end of the party a feeling of getting something accomplished. My pile was certainly smaller.

We’re definitely doing this again.