New project offering free repair lessons has mending all sewn up

For many years the motto "make do and mend" was a relic of a wartime era, when rationing meant broken belongings had to be coaxed back to life rather than replaced.

But the thrifty approach is being revived, with a project encouraging people to learn how to fix a whole range of household items.

Tinker Tailor employs skilled craftspeople to carry out repairs, and at the same time teach the owner how to do it for themselves.

Every Saturday the Out of the Blue Drill Hall in Dalmeny Street hosts people who are skilled in repairing clothes, fabric and bicycles, and other experts drop in on a monthly rota. They can teach visitors to repair leather, electrical items, small furniture, stringed instruments and tools, and the sessions have already seen everything from mandolins to handbags returned to their former glory.

The project is intended to cut the amount of waste going to landfill.

In a tough economic climate, it also appeals to those looking to save money.

Organiser Rosie Lewis said the project had snowballed after she spotted two sewing machines at the hall, and decided to put them out for people to use. "We thought 'Wouldn't it be good if people had someone to help them?' and then we thought there's so much we could stop from going to landfill."

One of the sewing gurus is Claire Duffy, who got involved after hearing about the project from Ms Lewis.

She said: "When she mentioned sewing, my eyes lit up. I studied at the art school in Glasgow, I did product design and most of my products were based around using textiles.

"Within a couple of generations people have lost the practical knowledge of how to do even very simple things like sewing on buttons.

"What's great is we've had quite a lot of guys coming in and doing stuff, so it's not just for the girls."

Also among the experts is leather tutor Amy Lawrence.

She said: "I've done quite a few belt jobs with people and repairing straps on satchels, I did some shoes and a camera case. I've got quite a big collection of scraps that are too small for me to use but I'm happy to give away to the public."

Tinker Tailor runs free of charge as a drop-in session from 10am to 2pm at the Drill Hall in Dalmeny Street, off Leith Walk.

For details of the experts' schedule see www.outoftheblue.org.uk or call 0131 555 7131. More experts are also sought to expand the service.