Miniature Paper Band Boxes Thursday, February 9th, 2023

8:30-10:30 am Please register here to attend the event Sign in at the Hartsbrook Hall Main Entrance upon arrival

Event Location: South Mod (enter the building from the ramp along the side of Piening Hall, the High School)

Description: Join Hartsbrook grandmother and alumni parent Kathleen Smith, as she guides us through this charming paper craft, just in time for Valentine’s Day! These miniature band boxes are just the right size to house a few sweet treats or perhaps a little note to someone special. No previous crafting experience is necessary! A $5 donation towards supplies is appreciated.

Look for our table at Friday Coffee Hour to preview the crafts! (The workshop is capped at 12 people) Questions? Contact Rachel Beaupré (1st and 4th grade parent) at rgbeaupre@gmail.com or Karen Lavallee-Tente (4th grade parent) 413-210-8012 (text)

 

These are a Few of My Favorite Things... To Read!

Some of us spent a peaceful, snowy morning last Thursday, happily mending our jeans with simple sashiko stitches and thumbing through my borrowed mini library of books. There are so many beauties out there! Here is a short reading list of some of my favorites. You can request them from your library (yes, you can find them on Amazon), or you can follow my links and check out a some online resources that I thought you might find useful. I hope they will get you inspired to dive into making and mending!

Susan Briscoe, The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook 
Nina and Sonya Montenegro, Mending Life: A Handbook for Repairing Clothes and Hearts
Nihon Vogue, Sashiko: Classic Japanese Embroidery Made Easy

Saki Iiduka, Sashiko for Making and Mending by Saki Iiduka

Jessica Marquez, Make and Mend
Katrina Rodabaugh, Mending Matters

Many of my sashiko needles and threads came from this great Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/kimonomomo

Remember, though, that this tradition is rooted in its history of necessity--of making do with what materials were available as a means of survival. It has certainly turned to a craft and fashion trend, but it does not require fancy pre-printed patterns and disappearing ink markers to make sashiko stitches. Any long needle will due (crewel embroidery or sharp darners are great), and cotton embroidery floss is a fine substitution, though might ultimately fray with wear. I can't wait to see what you make!