Tasmania is home to a growing network of repair cafés and skillful menders that would love to help you learn how to sew up a seam, darn a hole, or fasten a button! These groups offer a welcoming space to learn, share skills and connect with community (usually over a cup of tea). Many of these groups provide access to tools, sewing machines, volunteer repairers, and practical advice that will help bring damaged items back to life. All whilst learning new sewing skills!
Repair Cafés are pop-up events where volunteer menders offer their skills, tools, and materials to people looking for a repair who’re willing to learn. Each cafe is a unique tapestry of the volunteer’s skills, from darning socks to soldering circuits and everything in between. A cafe is a skill share, meaning you sit down with menders (and a cup of tea) and learn while the fix your item.
Use this directory to find a repair café or sewing group near you and take the next step in your repair journey.
Northern Tasmania
Launceston Repair Cafe
When: The third Saturday of the month, 1pm-4pm
Where: Windmill Hill Memorial Hall, 18a High Street Launceston
What can be repaired: Electronics, clothing, furniture, bikes (BYO replacement parts), knife sharpening, hiking & camp gear, and other general repairs, depending on repairer availability.
How to sign up: Show up on the day before 3 pm, visit their page for more detail
The Mending & Advice Table
When: The First Saturday of every month, 10 am – 1 pm
Where: The ReDress Hub Shop 6&7, Quadrant Plaza (not Mall), 94 York St, Launceston
What can be repaired: Electronics, clothing, backpacks, furniture, bikes, knife sharpening, hiking & camp gear, and other general repairs, depending on repairer availability.
How to sign up: Book your ticket here, (subsidised tickets available)
Southern Tasmania
Eastside Repair Cafe
When: Check Facebook for dates, 2 pm – 4 pm
Where: Warrane Mornington Neighbourhood Centre, 150A Bligh Street, Warrane
What can be repaired: Clothing, furniture, appliances, accessories, bikes, toys, small mechanical items, shoes, bags, leather, audio cables, crockery, tool and knife sharpening
How to sign up: Show up on the day with your item, or reach out 3 days before the event to eastsiderepaircafe@gmail.com if you think your repair is unusual
Hobart Repair Cafe
When: Third Saturday of the month from January to November, 1 pm – 4 pm
Where: Kickstart Arts, 12 St John’s Avenue, New Town
What can be repaired: Clothing, knife & tool sharpening, sewing machine repairs, furniture, computers, electronics, analog cameras.
How to sign up: Check the Facebook to find out what menders will be available, show up on the day
Okines Repair Cafe
When: Quarterly, 11 am – 1:30 pm
Where: Okines Community House, 540 Old Forcett Rd Dodges Ferry
What can be repaired: Bikes, toys, tools, clothing, leather, jewelry, electronics, computers, tool sharpening, general repairs
How to sign up: Keep an eye on the Facebook for the next dates, and show up on the day or contact: okinesrepaircafe@gmail.com
Kingston Repair Cafe
When: Every 2 months on a Sunday, 2 pm – 4 pm
Where: Kingston Neighbourhood Centre, 24 Hawthorn Dr, Kingston
What can be repaired: Sewing, darning, toy repair, jewelry, household items, tool sharpening, crockery, small furniture
How to sign up: Check for the next date on their facebook
Derwent Valley Repair Cafe
When: First Saturday of the month, 11 am – 1:30 pm
Where: The Studio, Create Do & Men, 63 High Street, New Norfolk
What can be repaired: Sewing, darning, toy repair, household items, small furniture, technology, bikes
How to sign up: Check for the next date on their facebook and contact derwentvalleyrepaircafe@gmail.com
Boomerang Bags Sewing Bee
When: Every second Friday, 10am – 1pm
Where: Sustainability Learning Centre, Hobart College, 50 Olinda Grove, Mt Nelson.
What: Come along for a relaxed, friendly sewing session where you can learn, have a chat and turn unwanted textiles into something useful. No experience needed. All ages and abilities welcome!
For more information or to get in contact check their Facebook page
Sewing Classes with Ela
When: Fridays, 1pm – 2pm or by appointment
Where: Kingston Neighbourhood House, 24 Hawthorn Dr, Kingston.
What: Come and learn how to sew with Ela. All skill levels welcome. $10 for a class.
To book your spot, please contact Samara on 03 6229 4066 or samara@kingstonnh.org.au
Wild Stitch Studio
Wild Stitch Studio is Tasmania’s largest sewing school, running sewing classes, workshops and community programs for adults and kids.
When: Flexible weekly “Sew Anything” adult classes, term sewing programs for kids, private workshops for groups and celebrations, and hands-on school holiday sessions.
Where: 313A Elizabeth St, North Hobart.
What: Delivering accessible community workshops in upcycling, visible mending, sustainable sewing, and kids fashion designer courses.
Sewing classes are at the heart of what they do. These classes have grown into welcoming, skill-building spaces for people who love to make, whether they’re threading a needle for the first time or refining their craft.
Sign up for classes and courses on their website.
North-West Tasmania
If you’re a repair cafe in the North West, get in touch. We’ll keep this spot warm for you in the meantime.
Get involved
Volunteers are the grease that keep the Repair Cafe gears turning. Cafe’s are always open to skilled menders who can help with repairs. But if fixing’s not your thing an extra set of hands to help with registrations, promotions, and of course, tea and coffee. If you’re eager to support the movement, reach out to your local cafe.
No Cafe in your area? Repair Cafe International has everything you need to build your own cafe using their starter kit. Draw from the wisdom of a global network of menders and skip the guess work with ready-made templates for everything from admin to advertising.
Repair at home
ifixit is a platform used by repairers internationally to document and discuss fixes for common household items. If you’ve got a broken console, appliance, or power tool check out the repair guides on ifixit. If your item doesn’t have a guide, hop onto the forums and get advice from this friendly worldwide commnity.
Repair What You Wear is a great resource for learning simple clothing repair skills. With easy-to-follow tutorials on fixing hems, mending seams and replacing buttons, you’ll be able to restore and extend the life of your clothes in no time. The website also includes video tutorials for both left- and right-handed learners.