May 1st, 2027

10:00 - 4:00 pm

At Ecology of Color 

10564 Ditch LN

Rockvale, TN 37153

Description:

This class is the perfect start for anyone interested in exploring creative techniques to mend or embellish woven cloth, learn skills to keep your clothes and textiles out of landfills, and create a bit more beauty along the way. We will start from the very basics of hand sewing techniques and work our way up through applique patchwork for design, repair and embellishment. Participants are encouraged but not required to bring personal projects and consult with the workshop facilitator in advance to ensure we cover any relevant techniques. Throughout the day we’ll utilize cottons dyed with plants grown on the Ecology of Color farm. 

• Included: Needles & thread, fat quarter of neutral colored cotton, variety of colored fabric and embroidery floss for applique designs, all tools and materials required, handouts covering relevant techniques

• Skill level: Beginner. No sewing experience is required 

• Please bring: (Recommended but not required) stained or holey clothing, quilts, linens, or other textiles, personal sketchbook, any thing you need to be comfortable for the day

• You leave with: A small mending sampler including useful stitches for repair and embellishment,  at least two types of patch repairs, and  a small applique design of your making

Instructor: Lauren Hulse

Lauren is a textile artist and professional mender. Through her project Held Together Mending, she engages with a visual creative mending practice and explores themes of tenderness, connection, and slowness. Lauren was taught to sew as a child by her mother, and never looked back. Lauren holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting & Drawing as well as a Master of Science in Social Work degree, both from the University of Tennessee.  During the day, Lauren works as a clinical therapist in group practice at Behavioral Medicine Institute in Knoxville, TN. Lauren enjoys life with her family of four and their goats, chickens, cats, and garden. Outside work and the studio, you can usually find them in the mountains or on the river.

Coffee, tea, and treats will be served.  

Cancellation Policy

If you need to withdraw from a workshop, we will issue a refund, minus transaction fees, provided you give at least 4 weeks' notice before the workshop date. If you give shorter notice, we will issue a refund if we can fill your spot. You may transfer your enrollment to a friend at any time.