Wardrobe Refresh: Dye, Print, Patch

Renew your clothing with 100% natural indigo dyeing, block printing, and hand stitched patching. Learn how to mask a stain on a shirt or decorate a scrap of fabric to become a more interesting patch, and use simple stitches to strengthen and repair a garment that shows how much you love it.

The women behind small biz, Miniature Rhino and Better Than Jam, are on a mission to help you renew your wardrobe.  Fix, refresh and repair items in your closet that you've torn, stained, or want to be excited to wear again.

In the morning, with Karin of Better Than Jam, you will be shown how to use Indigo dye, by creating a jar starter and dipping either a garment or patches. Indigo is a beautiful blue that has captivated the world for thousands of years, and you’ll be sure to understand why after this special experience. Before lunch you'll be shown how to properly block print fabrics with textile ink that's sure to last. Use this technique to cover stains on your garment or fashion a patch. 

After break Jessica of Miniature Rhino will demonstrate several patching techniques and stitching methods that can be used to repair damage, cover stains or embellish your clothing. Upcycled patching materials will be provided. If there is a specific fabric you’d like to use, feel free to bring it to class. 

Students are welcome to bring one 1-3 pieces from their current wardrobe that they would like to extend the life of.  You should be able to work on 1-2 and even start work on a 3rd. (You may need a dry article of clothing for work on while your indigo dyed piece is drying.) 

-Natural materials are best for dyeing. Indigo will only dye natural fibers. 

-Blends are okay for Block Printing. 

-Woven fabrics like cotton, linen, denim, canvas are best for patching. Avoid knits and super stretchy materials for the patching section. 

*Open to all levels of experience. All materials are supplied. Kits will be available for purchase if you would like to continue the journey at home.

Jessica is a lifelong maker who found her way back to textiles while working on an MFA in Photography from Rochester Institute of Technology. After countless hours working digitally staring at a computer screen she longed for hands-on analog making. She taught herself embroidery and then never stopped stitching. In 2008 she started a creative handmade business, Miniature Rhino, named after a young cousin's imaginary friend, a dentist called Dr. Rhino. Miniature Rhino became a symbol of creativity and imagination and seeks to inspire and teach hands-on skills through a line of embroidery kits, patterns, classes and books. She's taught throughout the country, internationally and online through Craftsy classes in embroidery and photography. Her work has been featured in Grace Bonney's (Design*Sponge) bestselling book, In the Company of Women, Real Simple, Bust, Country Living, and InStyle magazine. She's written two books Make and Mend (Ten Speed, 2018) and Stitched Gifts (Chronicle, 2012).