The Art of Mending: From Garment to Wearable Expression

About this event

Bring a piece of clothing. Leave with a piece of art! What if your favorite worn-in jacket, forgotten pair of jeans, or thrifted sweater could become a canvas for self-expression? Join us for a hands-on textile art and upcycling workshop that reimagines the traditional art of mending. Bring one pre-loved garment and transform it using color, texture, reclaimed materials, and creative stitching. No sewing experience is required! We’ll explore playful hand-stitching techniques such as running stitch, blanket stitch, whip stitch, cross-stitch, French knots, couching, appliqué, patchwork, and Sashiko-inspired stitching, to name a few, with personalized guidance from guest co-host and curator, professional fashion designer and stylist Nicole S. James. Add a patch, layer some fabric, draw with thread, or stitch something meaningful to you. There are no rules—your imagination is the guide! We’ll provide needles, thread, reclaimed fabric scraps, and other fun miscellaneous materials :) Feel free to bring your own fabrics, trims, buttons, patches, or other materials you'd love to incorporate. Nicole S. James is a professional fashion designer, stylist, creative educator, and guest curator with a BFA from Fashion Institute of Technology and more than two decades of experience in the fashion industry. Designing for a plethora of globally recognized brands and notable clients, including Prince, Levi's, Isaac Mizrahi, Rachel Roy, Calvin Klein, Anne Klein, Jessica Simpson, Vilebrequin, Champion, Kardashian Kollection, Shakira, Tommy Hilfiger, Andrew Marc, Rocawear, Mecca, Baby Phat, and more. Her work bridges fashion, art, sustainability, and creative expression, encouraging people to see clothing not simply as something to wear, but as a medium for storytelling and self-expression. Through her workshops, Nicole creates approachable spaces where participants can experiment, make by hand, rethink existing materials, and discover their own creative voice. Leo Jimenez is a…

Description from bklynlibrary.org