Salt Lake City Students Hosted Sashiko Mending Event

The Fiber Arts Club and a campus research center taught students how to repair clothing using traditional Japanese techniques.

Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Needlework

Gouache-painted illustration of a circular embroidery hoop with indigo fabric and white geometric sashiko stitching, representing a craft workshop. — Students at the University of Utah recently participated in a workshop using traditional Japanese sashiko techniques to repair clothing and discuss healthy relationship dynamics. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The McCluskey Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education and the Fiber Arts Club hosted a sewing workshop at the University of Utah. Attendees used the Japanese embroidery method known as sashiko to repair their own garments.

Why it matters

Organizers designed the clothing repair project to serve as a metaphor for mending personal relationships. The initiative aimed to provide a supportive environment for students to discuss healthy relationship behaviors while practicing a craft.

The workshop utilized traditional sashiko stitching, a Japanese embroidery technique, to reinforce and repair worn fabric using needles and thread.

The players

McCluskey Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education

This university organization focuses on preventing sexual violence through research and community educational initiatives.

Fiber Arts Club

This student group provides technical expertise and instruction in various textile and craft techniques.

The details

Student staff members from the McCluskey Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education organized the session to foster community engagement. Participants utilized various fabrics to practice their stitching skills while learning about the history of the craft from the Fiber Arts Club.

September 30, 2026: The Mending & Mending event occurred.

Culture Shift

This event reflects a broader societal movement where traditional craft circles are repurposed as therapeutic spaces for social and emotional learning. By bridging the gap between tactile skills and relationship counseling, the workshop signals a shift toward integrated community programming.

Students and Salt Lake City residents can adopt this technique to extend the lifespan of their wardrobe while practicing mindful, focused activity. The workshop highlights how basic sewing skills can serve as both a practical household tool and a method for reducing waste.

The takeaway

Using sashiko for clothing repair offers a sustainable way to keep garments out of landfills while engaging in a meditative, constructive hobby. By viewing clothing as something worth fixing, individuals can foster a more intentional relationship with their personal belongings.