Join Lori of Sew Small and Erin of Berbo Studio for a Garment Journey!

In this workshop led by two artists and educators, we’ll share foundational sewing and natural dyeing skills that will enable and inspire you to creatively, sustainably transform your wardrobe. Bring up to three pieces of clothing to be refreshed with a spectrum of plant dyes, including one piece to be transformed by alterations and/or mending! Our hope is that you’ll be inspired after our time together to continue your own Garment Journey – building upon these accessible sewing and natural dyeing skills to increase the life and enjoyment of your wardrobe.

About us & what to expect in class:

Erin is a natural dyer, artist, and plant educator, and will share her dyeing process from start to finish, offering clear and replicable techniques intended as the basis for forming your own at-home dye practice. Build your sustainable dyeing skill set by learning to mordant (prepare your textiles for dye), build a dye pot with local and ethically sourced plant dyes, apply resist techniques for creating tie-dye and other patterns, shift dye colors with modifiers, and more.

• Bring up to 3 pieces to dye in a range of plant colors!

  • Garments must be made of natural fibers such as cotton, linen, hemp, or silk. (Fabrics with a small percentage of synthetic fiber such as 5 to 10% lycra will likely give acceptable natural dye results.)

  • Garments should be small and lightweight. No lined, quilted, heavy denim or large garments such as overalls, jumpsuits or long coats.

  • Most garments will need to be scoured before class – once you sign up, Erin will reach out to you with specific instructions.

  • If you have any questions about dyeing possibilities, reach out to Erin directly: erin@berbo.studio
    

Lori is a skilled seamstress, teacher, and dyer, and will demonstrate techniques for making simple yet impactful repairs and alterations to garments that we hope will become long-lived wardrobe staples. Let Lori inspire you to get your sewing machine out of the closet when she uses hers to make a quick change to your garment that will take it from “never wear” to “new favorite.”

• Bring 1 piece to transform with mending/alterations!
  Lori will do simple, on-the-spot (10-15 minutes per garment) machine repairs or alterations such as:

  • Stitching up a torn seam or loose hem

  • Taking in a seam to narrow a width (e.g. making a top more fitted)

  • Shortening a garment at the hem (e.g. making pants shorter; turning a regular-length top to a crop top)

  • If you have any questions about mending/alteration possibilities, reach out to Lori directly: loribeilby@yahoo.com

We’ll gather in a lovely backyard setting in Altadena, CA on Sunday, June 12 from 9am to 1pm. Drinks and snacks will be served! Specific location and details will be sent to attendees via email on the week leading up to the class, so please ensure your email address is correct when checking out.