Human Ecology Clothing Repair Café
About the Clothing Repair Café
Did you know that wearing your clothes for longer is the most impactful way to reduce fashion's carbon footprint? But sometimes, in order to wear your clothes for longer, they need to be repaired or altered a little. Join us at the Human Ecology Clothing Repair Café to do just that!
The Clothing Repair Café is the right place for you, whether you already know how to repair your clothes and just want a space to tackle your mending pile with other people or you need a little help to learn how to repair your clothes. We have skilled volunteers on hand to help out and give advice.
All you have to bring are your clean clothes in need of mending (along with any parts that may need to be replaced, like zippers or buttons). We'll provide the tools, sewing machines, some basic supplies and refreshments.
Note that this is a knowledge-sharing venture, so while our volunteer repairers are happy to give as much assistance as you may need, the goal is that you will leave the event with the skills to make similar clothing repairs on your own in the future (i.e. we're not just going to do it for you).
Where and when?
Clothing Repair Cafe & Upcycling Workshop (Nov. 23, 2024)
The next HECOL Clothing Repair Cafe event will be on Saturday, November 23, 1:00-4:00 pm in room 301/305 of the Human Ecology Building, University of Alberta.
During this event, upcycling fashion designer Josephine Nakafeero will lead a workshop on upcycling clothing. The demonstration will be an hour long and will begin at 1:00 pm.
(Check out some of Josephine's work on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube)
This is a free event
Follow us on Instagram: @hecolrepaircafe
Community Clothing Repair Clinics by Michelle Closs
Michelle Closs, a passionate HECOL Repair Cafe volunteer, hosts Community Clothing Repair Clinics in various community halls across the City. She has extended the invitation for HECOL Repair Cafe volunteers and participants to join these events.
Information on locations and dates can be found in the links below. Please pre-register at these links so Michelle knows to expect you and has the supplies required on hand. Registration is also available at the door. These are free community events supplemented by The City of Edmonton’s Waste Reduction Grant.
If you have any questions, you can reach Michelle at reimaginedfabrics@gmail.com.
The Human Ecology Clothing Repair Café is supported by the University of Alberta Campus Sustainability Grant Program.
Interested in becoming a Volunteer?
Clothing Use & Repair Survey
Participants Needed!
We want to learn about people's clothing repair habits and their interest in the types of events encouraging repair. We are interested in hearing from everyone, even those with no interest in repairing clothing. Every person's perspective is valuable!
If you are 18 years or older and live in Canada or the USA, we invite you to participate in our study.
Participation involves completing an online survey that will take 10-15 minutes to complete.
If you would like to take our survey or want to find our more, click here.
If you have questions, email Dr. Rachel McQueen at textiles @ualberta.ca
This study, Pro00142847, has been reviewed for its adherence to ethical guidelines by a Research Ethics Board at the University of Alberta.
Territorial Acknowledgement
The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs, and research stations are primarily located on the traditional territory of Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, and Ojibway/Saulteaux/Anishinaabe nations; lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7, and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems, and cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit nations.