Nobody Taught Me How to Sew Workshop

Don't know how to sew on a button but wish you did? You'll fit right in at this workshop!



2 hours

Class size 1 to 12 (public classes), 1 to 50
  $45 (PayPal Pay in 4 available)
If you’re feeling like you missed out on acquiring some pretty handy and practical skills by not learning to sew or mend, but you’re not keen on running out and buying a sewing machine and making your own clothes, this workshop is for you!
It's easy to forget that before home sewing machines came on the market, sewing was simply done by hand. With a simple needle and thread, you can repair your clothes and keep them in rotation for longer or simply give them a unique look, while getting a nice dopamine hit of satisfaction at the same time.
This workshop is for absolute beginners, so it's perfect if you've never picked up a needle and thread before.
You’ll learn how to:
  • Stitch up a split seam
  • Cover a mark with an embellishment
  • Sew on a button
At the end of this workshop, you'll feel confident to mend that favourite hoodie sitting in the cupboard with a ripped seam, sew a new button onto a shirt and cover up that coffee stain on a favourite pair of jeans!
What you'll get
We'll provide scrap materials to work on in this workshop, but if you're keen to jump right in and apply your learning to the real thing, bring your garment along!
Knowledge required
Perfect for absolute beginners.

FAQ

Do you need a sewing machine?
No, no sewing machines are used in this workshop.
Location

Mount Martha House Community Centre, Esplanade, Mount Martha VIC and That Creative Space, Yuilles Road, Mornington VIC (varies by date; click the date selector to see details)

Nobody Taught Me How to Sew Workshop location
Your teacher

Cactus Revival
Cactus Revival

female Women-owned

I launched Cactus Revival, a clothing brand that repairs clothing destined for the bin, and relaunches it back into the market and wardrobes, in 2022, but I can now see that the seeds were sewn (no pun intended!) way back in my childhood.
As a kid I loved making things out of loo rolls, egg cartons, fabric scraps, laddered stockings - anything that was destined for the bin! I had this sense that I was saving these things and giving them another life.
While on maternity leave and loving making loo roll cows and pigs again, I became interested in sewing and started playing around with my Mum's old machine.
On discovering some holes in a pair of my son’s shorts that were otherwise completely fine, and wanting to save them from the bin, I decided to repair them. They were brown, and a treasure map sprang to mind. I darned the holes, appliqued on a red ‘x’, hand stitched a trial to follow around the legs and hidden a gold button in the pocket. My son loved his ‘new’ Treasure Map Shorts, and the idea for Cactus Revival was sparked!
Once I started selling my mended clothing I realised lots of people were interested in learning how to mend themselves. Now I teach people how to repair and patch holes in their jeans, darn or embroider knitted jumpers that have been eaten by moths and decoratively cover marks.
I love seeing how satisfied people are when they've learnt that they can repair and decorate their clothes. Lots of people think they "can't sew" because they weren't taught by their grandmother when they were young, or they're intimidated by sewing machines. People light up when they see what they can achieve with just a needle and thread.
In this digital age, our minds and bodies are crying out for activities that use our hands. Hand stitching is such a mindfull activity and it's been proven to reduce stress. Mending our clothes also helps us to embrace the beauty in the imperfect.
In 2025 I was featured in the UK's number 1 sewing magazine 'Simply Sewing'.
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