Upcycling and Sustainable Sewing Classes

Classes

Sewing on a button seems such a trivial thing, but knowing how to do it can reduce the amount of textile waste from landfill or incineration.

Textile waste is a growing component of the waste landscape. It’s found strewn across the Atacama desert in Chile, it’s shipped around the globe on cargo ships, and it’s taking up space in landfills everywhere. The problem grows exponentially when considering that 60% of clothing made over the last decade is petroleum based synthetics. When washed and dried in machines these textiles shed loads of microplastics into the air, water and soil.

We’re teaching sewing and upcycling skills to youth and adults as a way to keep these textiles out of the waste stream. We teach the care of clothing to minimize microplastics and how to identify quality fabrics that will last a lifetime with some repair skills.

PLEASE NOTE: As of Oct. 1, 2025, a new Washington Dept of Revenue state law (ESSB 5814) requires that live classes now be taxed when sold, which means we must charge sales tax for our classes. Thank you!

See our events calendar for an overall view of all our Mend-it cafes and classes, you can also check out our classes below.

Sustainable Sewing Classes

  • Sustainable Sewing: Get to Know Your Sewing Machine


    Saturday, April 4th, 2026 1:00 – 3:30 PM

    In this beginner-focused hands-on class, you’ll learn the basics of machine sewing including, getting to know the parts of a machine, sewing machine maintenance (how to clean, change a needle, and wind a bobbin), and how to use a sewing machine to create a small project using fabric scraps and secondhand items. Use of machines, and all supplies are included.

    Cost: 35.00 plus sales tax
    Please be sure to register for the class, it’s required due to limited spaces available.

    Class Location: 
    Spokane Zero Waste Classroom

    2026 N. Hamilton St (cross street Ermina)

    Spokane, WA 99207

    Sign Up

  • Sustainable Sewing: Introduction to Japanese Sashiko Embroidery

    Saturday, April 11, 2026 1:00 – 3:00 PM

    In this class, you’ll learn the art of visible mending through the Japanese technique of Sashiko, taught by sewist Chelsey Byrd Lewallen. Translated as “little stabs”, students will learn how Sashiko morphed from a mending technique into a textile surface design method. Participants will receive a pre-marked piece of indigo dyed fabric, Sashiko needle and thread to practice different stitch designs. After the presentation, students can continue to work with their fabric patch, or work on a textile brought from home to embellish/repair. 

    Chelsey Byrd Lewallen is a Senior Instructor in the Apparel, Textile and Design Program at the University of Idaho, she is a sewist, artist, entrepreneur, and teacher dedicated to helping make clothing fit beautifully while keeping textile goods out of landfills. In addition, she recently published her first book, Clothing Alterations and Repairs: Maintaining a Sustainable Wardrobe.

    Cost: 45.00 plus sales tax
    Please be sure to register for the class, it’s required due to limited spaces available.

    Class Location: Spokane Zero Waste Classroom

    2026 N. Hamilton St (cross street Ermina)

    Spokane, WA 99207

    Sign Up
  • Sustainable Sewing: Get to Know Your Sewing Machine

    Sustainable Sewing: Get to Know Your Sewing Machine

    Saturday, May 2, 2026 9:00 – 11:30 AM

    In this beginner-focused hands-on class, you’ll learn the basics of machine sewing including, getting to know the parts of a machine, sewing machine maintenance (how to clean, change a needle, and wind a bobbin), and how to use a sewing machine to create a small project using fabric scraps and secondhand items. Use of machines, and all supplies are included.

    Cost: 35.00 plus sales tax
    Please be sure to register for the class, it’s required due to limited spaces available.

    Class Location: 
    Spokane Zero Waste Classroom

    2026 N. Hamilton St (cross street Ermina)

    Spokane, WA 99207

    Sign Up

  • Sustainable Sewing: Make a Quilt Block Tote Bag


    *NEW DATE: Saturday, May 23, 2026 9:00AM – 3:30 PM‍

    In this hands-on class, longtime quilter, Tressa Emch, will introduce you to the art of quilting by teaching you how to create two styles of quilt blocks using scrap fabric, which you will sew together to make a reusable tote bag. Confident machine sewing skills are required.

    Use of machines, and all supplies are included.

    Cost: 65.00 plus sales tax
    Please be sure to register for the class, it’s required due to limited spaces available.

    Class Location: 
    Spokane Zero Waste Classroom

    2026 N. Hamilton St (cross street Ermina)

    Spokane, WA 99207

    Sign Up