Nearly every 4th Thursday of the month, I’ve been co-hosting a monthly mending group called A Place to Mend at The Octagon Center for the Arts here in Ames, Iowa. This January kicks off our third year and we are excited to add in a bit of intentional instruction each month.

A Place to Mend

• Every 4th Thursday, 5:30 – 8 pm*
• 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames, Iowa; 3rd Floor Reading Room
• Ages 21+, Free to attend, tips welcome for hands on mending help

New in 2026: Monthly Skill Building Themes

January: Knitting + Mending = Winter Sweater Love
Learn to knit with Kristin M Roach, then see how how to do a knitted mend on one of her favorite sweaters. Pointy sticks & yarn provided. Demo will start promptly at 6pm.

February: Button Sewing
This month we are diving deep into buttons. Learn the difference between machine sewn buttons, button hole sizing, shanks and shankless, and how to finally sew them on so they stay on. The truest of love languages – sewing on a missing button for your friend in need. Or better yet, showing them how to sew on their button right so they stop falling off. Button talk and demo starting at 6pm.

As always, Mending nights are free, or a suggested donation of $5 for hands on instruction.
Ages 21+ (Feel free to bring your favorite beverage; alcoholic or non-alcoholic)

Have a few mending/repair projects you have been wanting to work on? Gather them up and join the Octagon for some creative, productive, and soulful fun. You are encouraged to bring any projects to work on, i.e… knitting, crochet, needle work, whatever.

*Note: We do tend to take July and December off. And some months it shifts to a different Thursday. If you’d like to join in, make sure to check the current month’s date at the Octagon Center for the Arts event listing or the Events Page on my Website.

Until Next Time!