Edmontonians gather for clothing repair event: ‘Quiet act of rebellion’

Edmonton residents gathered for a clothing repair event dubbed "Quiet Act of Rebellion." The event at the University of Alberta involved attendees fixing worn-out garments, with one participant saying, "There is so much textile waste in the world. So if we just fix old clothes, like holes in the crotch areas of pants, it’s one little quiet act of rebellion."

Others added creative touches, like threading fabric with yellow squares onto pants. The Clothing Repair Café has been held monthly for the past five years, with growing interest likely due to economic pressures. Psychology student and event coordinator Samantha Barrios Mendoza noted that mending can also reduce the environmental impact of fast fashion, which she describes as clothing produced quickly with cheap materials.

Fast fashion generates vast amounts of waste, with the UN Environment Programme estimating fabric waste at over one garbage truck per second. Although not a solution to the climate crisis, repairing clothes is meaningful to participants, who create lasting memories through the process. Attendees receive materials and refreshments, and some events include expert-led sessions on repair methods.