Mending Matters: Celebrating Second Hand September

Christine Boyle

Creative Director - Sewing Tutor

It’s September again, and with it comes one of our favourite campaigns of the year: Second Hand September. The idea is simple but powerful – instead of buying new, we are asked to repair, mend and alter what we already have . At Colour and Cloth, this isn’t just a month long challenge, every stitch we teach our students is valued.

INVESTING IN YOU

SKILLS WORTH LEARNING

The backlash against Shein and superfast fashion is growing, and it’s easy to see why. Seams rip within weeks. Clothes fall apart after the first wash. Fabrics are thin, poor quality, and never meant to last. It’s disposable clothing by design — buy it, wear it twice, bin it, repeat.

That’s exactly why mending and sewing skills matter more than ever. When you can fix a hem, replace a button, or patch a seam yourself, you stop seeing clothes as disposable and start seeing them as worth keeping. You invest in the skill once and it pays you back for years. You value what you own instead of constantly replacing it. And every repaired garment is one less thing added to the overconsumption pile.

💡Over to Christine "Altering can become addictive, and its a lot more satisfying than another Shein or Primark haul."

REPAIR, NOT REPLACE

Barely a day goes by without someone phoning to enquire about getting their clothes repaired. From attaching school badges, shortening hems, fixing zips to altering formal and wedding dresses.

We understand why they ask. Repairing and servicing sewing machines is genuinely part of what we do here at Colour and Cloth — so it seems natural to assume we’ll take in a hem or resize a jacket too. And in a way, the two are more connected than they first appear. A well-serviced machine is the foundation of good mending: it’s what turns a repair from a frustrating battle with skipped stitches and tangled thread into a smooth, satisfying job. We keep machines running well because we believe in what they make possible — clothes cared for, mended, and kept in use for years longer than they otherwise would be.

We recently had the pleasure of servicing a Singer 99K that had been sitting in the attic for over 20 years. It belonged to Teresa. Her granddaughter Georgia has now booked a 1-1 lesson to learn how to use this beautiful machine. The machine is already 70 years old, and will last another lifetime.

But when it comes to altering the clothes themselves, that’s not what we do — and every time, we explain the same thing:
We don’t alter your clothes for you. We teach you how to alter them yourself.

This opens those wardrobe doors wider for opportunities to earn money with alteration and repair skills.

These skills are a completely different set from dressmaking. Alterations are like engineering. You have to problem solve and be resourceful. It keeps the brain active.

For I felt I was rich, And I told them of the love My mama sewed in every stitch
- DOLLY PARTON, Superstar

TRAINING AND COMMISSIONS

In August 2026, I was asked to design and deliver a four-day training programme focusing specifically on alterations and repair, sharpening the techniques we teach in our workshops and making sure everything we pass on is current, considered, and genuinely useful. This was tailored to the specific garments used in our clients industry.

Earlier this year I was commissioned by a bride to redesign and reconstruct her wedding dress. It wasn’t a simple nip and tuck — it was a full transformation, guided by patience, careful design and pattern work, and a deep respect for a garment that meant so much to her. My client understood and valued my expertise and skills that were required. I will write about ‘Sarah’s dress’ in detail in my next blog post.

MENDING WITH MEANING

There’s a reason mending has always carried more weight than the stitches themselves suggest. Dolly Parton’s song “Coat of Many Colours” tells the story of a coat sewn from scraps of fabric by a mother who had nothing to give but love and a needle and thread. The coat wasn’t valuable because of the material — it was valuable because of the care stitched into every seam.
That’s the spirit we want to bring into every workshop at Colour and Cloth. Mending isn’t just a practical skill for hard times or a nod to sustainability (though it’s both of those things). It’s an act of care — for your clothes, for your wallet, and for the planet.

INVEST IN YOURSELF & YOUR CLOTHES

So this Second Hand September, instead of reaching for something new, why not learn how to give new life to what you already own? And if your machine needs a little TLC to get you started, remember our sewing machine repair and servicing is here too — the perfect first step before you pick up your new skills. BOOK HERE

Essential Alterations & Restyle Workshop — a hands-on, one day introduction to alterations and mending, perfect if you’ve never picked up a needle with intention before, or want to brush up your skills.

Alter, Restyle & Repair Your Clothes — 6 Week Course — go deeper, building real confidence and competence so you can take on hems, resizing, repairs, and even bigger transformations with skill.

Want to understand your machine more, its potential and how to prevent those pitfalls? Our ‘Get to Know Your Sewing Machine Workshop’ is on Saturday 12th September and there is just one spot left!

Ready to get started? Book your spot on the one day workshop or the six week course today.

Visit Our Sewing Shop

Granny Teresas Singer from 1950s is ready to sew again

Repairing a sewing machine

£5 thrifted M&S dress

Unpicking the dress

Skirt and top restyle

Industrial repairs

Circle skirt hem upside down

Circle skirt hem becomes a cowl neck top

Collecting colourful scraps to create something beautiful

An evening glove is transformed

Into a unique collar for a bridesmaid

Lowering the waistband on my shorts

Lowering the neckline on my tshirt

Removing bulky pockets from a jersey dress

MORE BLOGS

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 181 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Cameron Fulton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Christine is a dream. She’s a world of knowledge and skills with the best possible personality and passion for teaching the beautiful art of sewing. I have completed her beginners class and learned so much! Couldn’t recommend highly enough! Welcoming, warm and a joy to be part of her lessons. I made 4 stunning kimono’s. All taught from tracking my pattern, hemming, sizing! EVERYTHING! Thank you. I will be back to complete my intermediate course next. ❤️🪡🧵
  
 
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   Barbara Bradby 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Delighted to have both my sewing machines expertly repaired and working.  Brian explained everything very clearly and knows these machines inside and out.  A real pleasure meeting this lovely couple doing amazing work both!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Catherine Mackle 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I was having a bit of trouble with my sewing machine and realising that I've had it for a number of years and it hadn't been serviced I set about looking for someone that could remedy this.  I was surprised and delighted to find Colour and Cloth a five minute drive from me.  I was able to book a service online at a time that was convenient to me. Brian was very professional and explained about differences in bobbins etc. Best of all I had my machine back same day looking like new and running smoothly.  Thank you Brian
  
 
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   Jacqueline O'Rourke 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I brought two machines to Colour and Cloth for servicing. Brian and Christine are so knowledgeable and helpful. You can see their passion for their crafts and their business. Great service and I would not hesitate to recommend for servicing of machines and for sewing tuition.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Lois S 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recently attended a sewing day at Christine’s fantastic studio. It was a fantastic quality day of sewing, learning lots of new skills, tips and wonderful techniques. The day flew!, Christine was so patient with her guidance on my pattern and welcomed all and my many questions. Having her expertise and encouragement has really inspired me in my sewing learning and I would highly recommend attending her classes. I think I’ll drop Santa a hint!! 😃 thank you so much.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ann Gillespie 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had my Janome sewing machine serviced by Brian. He did an amazing job, within 24 hrs, and my machine is now like new.  Brian and Christine are such a lovely couple, friendly and welcoming, very knowledgeable and professional.  I found them inspirational.  Christine demonstrated stitches and types of needles and at the end a little gift which means so much to me.  I would recommend them very highly. Ann
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Georgia McStravick 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I cannot thank Christine and Brian at Colour and Cloth enough! They recently repaired my Granny Teresa’s vintage Singer sewing machine, which holds so much sentimental value for our family. I felt in such capable, knowledgeable hands from first speaking with them. They explained every detail clearly and made sure to show me the machine working perfectly before I left. A huge bonus was their amazing website—being able to check live updates on the progress of the repair was brilliant and kept me informed every step of the way. Outstanding service, I couldn’t recommend Colour and Cloth more!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Danni 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've just completed a 6 week beginners course with Christine in Colour and Cloth. I had never used a sewing machine before booking the course and was nervous going into it but Christine put me at ease from the very beginning. The course was really enjoyable and the 6 weeks flew in, I learned so much during my time and made a lovely skirt for myself. I would definitely recommend Colour and Cloth to anyone interested in sewing. Christine's knowledge was invaluable and I will definitely be booking another course.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jackie O'Hara 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service … very fast turn around .. great reception.. Brian cares about sewing machines.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Janet McNamee 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Left two sewing machines in with Brian for repair/servicing.  His knowledge and attention to detail was very reassuring.  Both machines are now working perfectly.  I would thoroughly recommend.
  
 
  
  
 
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