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August Workshops & Events: Embroider, Mend, and Upcycle

August workshops and events- denim patch with green fern embroidery, yellow shirt hem with botanical embroidery, dark blue fabric with white sashiko pattern stitching, woman holding a indigo pattern dyed tea towel, denim with three embroidered woven pastel mends, and a canvas tote bag with vegetable embroideries and patterns.

It's August, or just about, and while I don't have kids, this time of year always has me thinking about back to school and getting into the spirit of learning something new. Can you tell I was one of those kids who liked school? You don't have to have kids or be in back to school mode to enjoy the fun of the classroom. You can always learn something new, especially if you join me for a craft class this August.


This month MCreativeJ workshops are focused on upcycling, embroidery, and mending. You can learn how to repair and renew! My hands-on workshops will show you how to create woven mends great for fixing sweaters and socks, stitch sashiko for patches and reinforcing worn garments, embroider patches to add delightful visible repairs to any garment, cover stains with indigo dye patterns, upcycle your clothing with embroidery, and add new life to a tote bag with vegetable embroidery.


What can you expect with an MCreativeJ workshop? In our hand embroidery and dyeing class you'll enjoy a hands-on workshop with materials provided. You'll learn new skills, techniques, and get to ask all the questions you'd like. Even if you've never tried the craft before, you'll start at the very beginning and be guided through step-by-step. I try to make every class approachable and fun as you learn something new!


Mending and upcycling are important skills to cultivate, especially as fast fashion dominates our culture and the price of everything rises. Not only does mending help our environment and we can save a little money, it also allows us a creative outlet and a way to honor the sentimental connection we sometimes have with our garments.


Ready to learn something new? Want to embroider, mend, and upcycle? See what workshops you can take this August and let's get stitching!


Workshops and Events to Embroider, Mend & Upcycle:


Wild Pansy Stumpwork Stitch Along- Green fabric stitched with blue 3D pansy flowers

August 1-2: Flock Fiber Festival from 10am-4pm PST at Seattle Convention Center Summit Building

Find all things fiber! This festival features a marketplace with over 100 vendors from across the country and around the world. You'll find everything from yarn to needlework and everything in between.



August 8: Woven Mends Visible Mending from 11am -1pm PST at Quintessential Knits

Does your knitwear or denim have a hole in it? Learn how to patch that hole with visible mending. In this two-hour, hands-on workshop with fiber artist and author Melissa Galbraith of MCreativeJ, you’ll learn two types of woven mends: darning and buttonhole filling to patch a hole. During class, you’ll learn how to get started with visible mending, different threads and materials to use, and how to mend your specific garment. Mends can be made to look like decorative motifs or matched to the garment. You can bring a garment to class to mend or practice on sample fabric. Knitwear and denim are recommended for this workshop. All other materials are provided.


denim embroidered in sashiko patterns with black thread

August 22: Sashiko Style Visible Mending from 11am -1pm PST at Quintessential Knits

Want to learn how to stylishly mend your clothing? Sashiko is a Japanese mending technique that uses the running stitch to patch and reinforce garments with stylish geometric stitch patterns. In this 2-hour hands-on workshop with fiber artist and author Melissa Galbraith of MCreativeJ you’ll learn how to get started mending your clothing with sashiko. We’ll cover how to design a pattern, reinforce a garment with a patch, prep your thread, create the running stitch, finish your thread, and care for your garment. You can bring a garment to class to mend or practice on sample cotton fabric. All other materials are provided.



August 23: Embroidered Patch Mending from 11am -1pm PST at Quintessential Knits

Does your clothing have a hole in it? Learn how to patch that hole with embroidery! In this two-hour, hands-on workshop with fiber artist and author Melissa Galbraith of MCreativeJ, you’ll learn how to get started with visible mending patches, different threads and materials to use, and stitches for mending your specific garment. You’ll be able to choose from a variety of threads and nature inspired patterns to create your embroidered patch. You can bring a cotton or denim garment to mend in class or practice on cotton fabrics. All other materials are provided.


A group of five women standing outside on a patio holding indigo dyed tea towels in various blue patterns on a summer day.

August 28: Intro to Indigo Dyeing from 6-8pm PST at Make Apothecary

Explore the magic of indigo dyeing. Learn how to fold and bind fabric to create patterns and designs with indigo dye. You’ll love seeing the dye change colors, and your designs come to life! In class, you will receive four cotton tea towels to create your own patterns. You're also encouraged to bring additional natural fiber materials to dye, like cotton, wool, linen, silk. This class can get messy, so please wear clothing you don’t mind getting a little dye on. Please do not bring items larger than 3ft x 3ft to dye.



August 29: Upcycle Your Clothing with Hand Embroidery from 10:30am-12:30pm PST at Swoon City

Does your clothing have a small hole or stain in it? Learn how to patch that hole with embroidery! In this two-hour, hands-on workshop with fiber artist and author Melissa Galbraith of MCreativeJ, you’ll learn how to get started with visible mending patches, different threads and materials to use, and stitches for mending your specific garment. You’ll be able to choose from a variety of threads and nature inspired patterns to create your embroidered patch. You can bring a cotton or denim garment to mend in class or practice on cotton fabrics. All other materials are provided.


tote bag embroidered with kale, red pepper, and broccoli vegetables, surrounded by kale, carrot, broccoli, eggplant, and pepper stick and stitch patterns.

August 30: Embroider a Vegetable Tote Bag from 11am -1pm PST at Quintessential Knits

Learn how to hand embroider a tote bag with vegetable designs perfect for summer farmers market trips. Join for a two-hour, hands-on embroidery workshop. This class will cover beginner-friendly embroidery stitches like the long and short satin stitch, reverse chain stitch, stem stitch, and French knot. All materials will be provided, and you'll be able to choose from a wide variety of thread colors and vegetable patterns to embellish your tote bag.



Looking for more workshops and crafty events?

Melissa teaches weekly hands-on hand embroidery, mending, dyeing, and upcycling workshops. See all upcoming classes and events to plan your next crafty excursion.


Try Melissa's bmbroidery books:

Take me home! You can learn embroidery basics, shoe embroidery, and 3D stumpwork through my hand embroidery books. Each book features full color images, a detailed stitch glossary, beginner to advanced projects, and downloadable patterns.




Take a virtual workshop

Try my Domestika course! This virtual workshop is a great way to learn at your own pace from where ever you are! My course will walk you through how to create a stained glass inspired embroidery. It's beginner-friendly and perfect for anyone who wants to get into hand embroidery.


Create a stained glass inspired embroidery with Melissa's Domestika course

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