Residents are invited to learn practical repair skills and give everyday items a second life at Community Repair & Swap Day, a free event on Saturday, November 7. The event will feature hands-on repair workshops led by local experts, as well as a Holiday Decor Swap where participants can share and discover gently used seasonal decorations. No registration is required, and attendees do not need to bring an item in order to take something home from the swap.
“Repairing and reusing items helps people save money, learn new skills, and extend the life of everyday items,” said Marissa Perez-Dormitzer, 91²Ö¿â Reduction Manager for the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District. “As part of our Fix It Forward series, we’re bringing local experts and community members together to share repair skills and reuse opportunities.”
Participants can attend free workshops including:
- Furniture Repair & Refinishing – Learn wood furniture restoration through a live demonstration covering repairs, sanding, and finishing.
- Furniture Upholstering – Learn how to upholster chairs and cushions. Participants are welcome to bring a cushion or a wood chair with a small cushion to work on.
- Clothing Mending – Bring a favorite clothing item, accessory, or stuffed animal with a tear and learn basic sewing and repair techniques. Materials will be provided.
- Knife Care and Sharpening – Learn how to sharpen and maintain kitchen knives and scissors. Participants may bring up to five items for sharpening.
The event will also include a Holiday Decor Swap, offering residents an opportunity to pass along decorations they no longer use and find new-to-them items. Decorations from all holidays and seasons are welcome. Accepted items include clean, dry, gently used holiday and seasonal decorations, including ornaments, wreaths, lights, centerpieces, tableware, linens, costumes, and small trees up to three feet tall. Large, inflatable, broken, dirty, or moldy items will not be accepted.
Community Repair & Swap Day is organized by the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District and Mali Lim. The repair workshops are supported in part by the Art is Everywhere! grant funded by the City of New Bedford through its Arts, Culture & Tourism Fund and facilitated by New Bedford Creative at the New Bedford Economic Development Council.