Mending

I am currently not taking mending commissions for visible and invisible mending. You can see my previous work on Instagram @karhina_textileart

Repairing the clothes your already own enables you to express creativity and individuality whilst reducing your impact on the environment!  Mending clothes is a way to start addressing the 6,000 kilograms of used but still wearable clothing going into Australian landfill every 10 minutes. By holding on to your clothes for at least 9 months longer reduces the water, waste and carbon footprint by up to 30%.

We need to buy less, buy better and keep asking questions about the realities behind what we’re purchasing. We need to love the clothes we already own more & work harder to make them last. Mending is a great life skill which can save you money, save your clothes and reduce your impact on the environment! If you would like to learn how to mend your own clothes please visit my workshops page for the latest session.

I have also put up some videos on YouTube to show how to

• Sew on a button
• Mend a seam
• Mend a hem

And here is a great video from the ABC with Renae Coles, who is part of a global online movement of menders, shows you how you can get started on your mending practice, using traditional and new techniques, like darning and needle felting.

Mask Making Instructions

These patterns make homemade, non-medical face mask which you can make from your choice of fabric – make it as plain or as patterned as you like. The pattern is suitable for both beginners and more experienced stitchers.

This is a very simple homemade 3 layer cloth face mask and you don’t even need to own a sewing machine as you can hand stitch to create the mask with simple running stitch. You can also make the mask using a sewing machine to speed up the process.

These patterns make homemade, non-medical face mask which you can make from your choice of fabric – make it as plain or as patterned as you like. The pattern is suitable for both beginners and more experienced stitchers.

The finished mask will have 3 layers of fabric as recommended by the Victorian Chief Health Officer and a spot at the nose to add a wire stiffener if you wish.

You will need:

• Fine weave poly/cotton or cotton fabric – Either 1 piece 90cm x 20cm or 1 piece 60cm x 20cm of outer fabric & 1 piece 30 x 12 for the lining fabri
• 40cm – 60cm  3-5mm elastic (hat elastic can be used)
• Needle and thread
• Scissors
• Pattern download
  • Instructions
  • Medium pattern
  • Child pattern
  • Large pattern

When wearing a face mask it is important to do so safely to avoid increasing the risk of infection to yourself and others.

How to put on a face mask:

• Wash your hands before putting on the mask
• Make sure it covers your nose and mouth and fits snugly under your chin, over the bridge of your nose and against the sides of your face.
• Do not touch the front of the mask while it is on or when removing it (and if you do so accidentally, wash or clean your hands immediately)
• Change your mask if it gets wet as moisture reduces effectiveness
• Wash your hands after removing the mask
• Wash you mask after every use.

Centre for Disease Control and Prevention advice

Cloth face coverings may help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others. Wearing a cloth face covering will help protect people around you, including those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and workers who frequently come into close contact with other people (e.g., in stores and restaurants). Cloth face coverings are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings. The spread of COVID-19 can be reduced when cloth face coverings are used along with other preventive measures, including social distancing, frequent handwashing, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.

The cloth face coverings made are not surgical masks or respirators. Currently, those are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders. Cloth face coverings are not personal protective equipment (PPE). They are not appropriate substitutes for PPE such as respirators (like N95 respirators) or medical facemasks (like surgical masks) in workplaces where respirators or facemasks are recommended or required to protect the wearer.