Hand darning (Ōtautahi)

Learn the traditional craft of hand darning.

Canterbury WEA Gloucester Street, Christchurch Central City, Ōtautahi, New Zealand

$50.00 per person

2h – 4h

Saturday 8 March: 10am-12pm
Sunday 31 August: 10am-12pm
Sunday 23 November: 10am-12pm

Hand darning is a timeless technique that not only extends the life of your clothing but also deepens your connection to the items you wear every day. In this workshop, Mirabel will guide you through the basics, from preparing your garment to stitching durable repairs. Learn to mend discreetly or add unique character with bold, colourful designs. Whether patching a beloved sweater or reinforcing jeans, you’ll discover how to turn simple fixes into meaningful acts of care.

This technique can also be applied to socks, but is different to Swiss darning which involves a re-knitting stitch technique.

Please note:

All materials and tools will be provided, but please bring an item of clothing made from woven or knitted fabric that needs darning as well as matching thread if you have it.
This workshop is suitable for adults.

Cancellation

Bookings are non-refundable. If for any reason (this includes illness, travel delays and injuries) you need to cancel your workshop, you will receive a refund minus a $30 administration fee. This is provided you contact us at least 14 full days before your booking.

Please see our Cancellation Policy for more details.

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We are grateful to be able to offer this workshop because of support from Creative New Zealand.

Mirabel Oliver

A longtime lover of many craft practices, Mirabel also studied sculpture at the University of Canterbury. She loves the domesticity associated with working with wool and its incredible uses, seeing it an important feature of family life. Mirabel was given a spinning wheel by her mother-in-law and was taught to spin by Annie Mackenzie. This year Mirabel is teaching drop spindle spinning, darning, felt bowl making, and a new patchwork workshop, along with running our mending club.