Free Repair Workshops
Fix It Forward – a new hands-on workshop series is calling on New Bedford and Dartmouth residents to repair, reuse, and reimagine everyday items—helping households save money, reduce waste, and build practical skills. For more information, call (508) 979-1493, text (774) 503-0254, or email marissa@gnbrrmdistrict.org.
Mending, Darning, and Patching – Oh My!
March 31, 2026, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Howland Green Branch Library, 3 Rodney French Blvd., New Bedford
Workshop
The Fix It Forward series launches with its first workshop, “Mending, Darning, and Patching – Oh My!”, on March 31, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Howland Green Branch Library, 3 Rodney French Blvd., New Bedford. Limited parking is available in a parking lot behind the library off S. 1st Street. Led by local artists Claudia De Sousa-Baptista of Bushwood Tailors Opportunity Shop and Elaine Alder and Beatrice Alder of Alder & Alder, participants can explore the techniques of slow stitching (also called visible mending) while learning how to replace buttons, repair zippers, and darn woolen socks and sweaters. Participants are encouraged to bring an item to repair.
To encourage continued repair at home, five sewing kits will be randomly given away to workshop participants, courtesy of the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District.
Sewing and Fabric Arts Swap
The event will include a sewing and fabric arts swap. Items for donation may be dropped off ahead of time at Howland Green, Wilks, Lawler, and Main Library branches starting March 23. Swap items can also be brought on the day of the event.
Examples of swap items include yarn, crochet and knitting tools, thread, buttons, fabric, embroidery floss, and sewing tools.
On March 31, residents can visit the Howland Green Branch Library, 5:30-7:30 p.m., to browse all the sewing and fabric arts supplies and take home something new for their projects or repairs. Individuals without items to swap are still welcome to browse and select materials. Swap participants are welcome to take part in the workshop, but participation is not required.
A Bicycle Fixed by You
May 9, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Howland Green Branch Library
The next session, “A Bicycle Fixed by You,” will be held on May 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Howland Green Branch Library, where participants can learn how to troubleshoot common bike issues. The workshop will be led by Bill Trimble of Youth Opportunities Unlimited. Community members are encouraged to bring their broken bikes to the May workshop and get back on the road with confidence. The workshop will be limited to 12 participants; sign up will be required.
This workshop series is offered in partnership with the New Bedford Free Public Library and the City of New Bedford’s Department of Community Services. More sessions will be announced soon.
The workshop series is supported in part by the Art is Everywhere! grant funded by the City of New Bedford through its Arts, Culture & Tourism Fund, and is facilitated by New Bedford Creative at the New Bedford Economic Development Council.