Sashiko Embroidery / Japanese Mending Workshop

Remode Collective are running a sashiko embroidery and mending workshop at Out Of The Blue Drill Hall on Saturday 31 October, from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. It's an introduction to the Japanese art of mending textiles using the repetitive, mindful sashiko stitch, with a particular focus on boro — the technique of patching and renewing fabric to keep it in use.

Remode Collective pitch the session as much about the head as the hands. They describe the repetitive movements as a way to slow things down, giving the body a chance to reset and activate natural healing processes. If you've spent your week rushing around, that's a nice way to frame an afternoon: sitting with a piece of cloth and a needle, working the same stitch over and over until the noise in your head settles.

The workshop is part of the regular programme at Out Of The Blue Drill Hall, the home of Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust, an independent cultural social enterprise and one of Scotland's leading community and arts development organisations. The Trust bought the B-listed former military drill hall in 2004, painstakingly repaired and refurbished it, and saw it upgraded to Category A status by Historic Environment Scotland in 2017. It now houses more than 150 artists, organisations and social enterprises, alongside a well-reviewed café and a year-round programme of events, workshops and exhibitions.

It's a three-hour session on a Saturday afternoon, so you've got plenty of time to get into the flow of it without feeling rushed. It runs from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at 36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, EH6 8RG, and places start from £15.