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November 21, 2019 6:00–8:00 pm
Rubenstein Arts Center, Lounge
Textile Arts

Mindful Mending—Clothing Up-Cycle

Taught by River Takada-Capel

Mindful Mending

Learn time-honored Japanese Sashiko techniques for mending and repairing damaged textiles. Participants are encouraged to bring an article of clothing to repair or embellish. Techniques such as hemming jeans, mending a rip, sewing on a button, etc., will be covered.

Supplies provided include hand sewing needles, Sashiko thread, Sashiko stitching handouts, and hand dyed fabric scraps. All levels are welcome and no sewing experience is required!

About the Instructor

River Takada-Capel is a Durham-based textile artist and freelance teacher. She has a small-batch production company, RIVTAK, established in 2007, now selling hand-crafted products in 12 independently owned shops.

Born in Tokyo, Japan and raised in Carrboro, NC, River grew up with an appreciation for the constant change in nature and the beauty of functional art. She loves to work with kids and adults, empowering folks by sharing the creative and vocational powers of sewing and other textile skills. River is an arts and LGBTQ community advocate who turned her dream of creative and social practice into a passionate career. On most days, you’ll either find her designing, sewing, or screen printing inside her Golden Belt studio or you’ll find her outside, dyeing fabric.

When River is not working for her business, she is teaching fiber arts at community centers around the state. She has taught at The ArtsCenter, The Scrap Exchange, ArtSpace, The NC Museum of Art, Freeman’s Creative, NCSU Craft Center and many small private groups.

About the Location

This workshop will be taught in the lounge of the Rubenstein Arts Center.

About DukeCreate

DukeCreate is a series of free, hands-on arts workshops designed to help Duke students, staff, and faculty develop a variety of creative skills. Workshops are open to all skill levels and backgrounds. Most take place in the Duke Arts Annex or the Rubenstein Arts Center and are typically held weeknights 6-8pm.

Workshops are free to all Duke students and staff, with priority given to students. Class size is limited. Students must sign up in advance. Registration for the following week’s DukeCreate workshops goes live on Friday mornings – sign up in advance to guarantee your spot!  Online enrollment for Duke staff opens on the day of the workshop. Staff can also show up 10 minutes prior to a workshop in case a slot becomes available. Walk-ins will be accommodated on a space-available basis.

DukeCreate is sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost for the Arts (DukeArts) and University Center Activities and Events (UCAE).