Our Lend and Mend Hubs are dedicated facilities, based in the AK Bell Library and Scone Library that allows free access to equipment to repair, reuse and upcycle textiles.
Lend and Mend
Explore our Lend and Mend Hubs
AK Bell Library Lend and Mend Hub
The AK Bell Library Lend and Mend Hub allows free access to equipment to repair, reuse and upcycle textiles.
Current Equipment
- Sewing machines
- Embroidery machine
- Dressmakers’ dummies
- Overlocker
- Cutting Mats
- Rotary cutters
- Fabric scissors
- Ironing board and iron
- Staple gun
- Collection of thread and ribbons
- Crochet hooks
- Wundaweb
As well as providing the above, we encourage people using the Hub to bring in their own threads and items to ensure that enough resources are available in the hub.
The Hub would also be grateful for any donations of fabric and threads (Coates, Guttermans).
Before accessing the Hub, all users will need to have a short induction on their first visit to familiarise themselves with the space and equipment. You can book your induction at the library by contacting the library at [email protected] or phoning 01738 444949.
If you or your client is a non-English speaker, please get in touch via email, and we will arrange an induction for you, which will involve translation software. Please understand that this will not be available on a daily basis and only after prior booking.
After your induction, to book a sewing machine, the overlocker or the embroidery machine in the Lend and Mend Hub, you can book online here. Please note the sewing machine number when booking. On arrival please go to the Lending Reception desk to receive your individual sewing kit.
Booking
Induction times take place on:
Tuesday 4pm – 5pm.
Thursday 11am – 12pm.
You must be a library member to use the hub so please make sure you have an up-to-date Culture Perth and Kinross Library membership.
Opening Times
Lend and Mend is open during the following times:
Tuesday 10am – 5pm
Wednesday 10am – 5pm
Thursday 10am – 5pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 10am – 1pm
Sew Together Sessions
Come and join our free drop-in sewing sessions, where you can use hand sewing, machine sewing, embroidery and mending practices with others in our Lend and Mend Hub in the AK Bell Library. The drop-in sessions are fortnightly on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Please note that Lend and Mend inductions are required before using the Hub. You can book an induction before your session by contacting [email protected] or by calling 01738444949. Inductions are every Tuesday (4pm – 5pm) and Friday (11am – 12pm).
The next Sew Together Session days and times are below:
April
Saturday 4 | 10.30am – 12.30pm
Wednesday 22 | 12pm – 2pm
Saturday 25 | 10.30am – 12.30pm
May
Wednesday 6 | 12pm – 2pm
Saturday 9 | 10.30am – 12.30pm
Wednesday 20 | 12pm – 2pm
Saturday 30 | 10.30am – 12.30pm
June
Wednesday 3 | 12pm – 2pm
Saturday 13 | 10.30am – 12.30pm
Wednesday 17| 12pm – 2pm
Saturday 27 | 10.30am – 12.30pm
Scone Library Lend and Mend Hub
Our Lend and Mend Hub is a dedicated facility based at Scone Library that offers free access to equipment for repairing, reusing, and upcycling textiles.
Current Equipment
- Sewing machines
- Cutting mats
- Rotary cutters
- Fabric scissors
- Ironing board and iron
- Collection of thread, materials and haberdashery items
- Crochet hooks
- Knitting needles
- Wool
- Knitting and crochet patterns
- Wundaweb
As well as providing the above, we encourage people using the Hub to bring in their own threads and items to ensure that enough resources are available in the hub.
The Hub would also be grateful for any donations of fabric and threads (Coates, Guttermans).
Before accessing the Hub, all users will need to have a short induction on their first visit to familiarise themselves with the space and equipment. You can book your induction at the library by phoning 01738 459565. If you have had an induction at AK Bell library this will suffice.
After your induction, to book a sewing machine, in the Lend and Mend Hub, you can book by phoning Scone library 01738 459565. On arrival, please go to the desk to receive your individual sewing kit.
Booking
Induction times take place on:
Wednesday 11:30 – 12:30 & 14:15 – 15:45.
Saturday 11:30am – 12:30pm.
You must be a library member to use the hub so please make sure you have an up-to-date Culture Perth and Kinross Library membership.
Opening Times
Lend and Mend is open during the following times:
Tuesday 10:15am – 12:50pm except 2nd Tuesday of month & 17:30 – 18:50
Wednesday 10:15am – 12:50pm & 14:15 – 16:50 except 1st Wednesday of month.
Thursday 10:15am – 12:50pm & 14:15pm – 16:50pm
Friday 10:15am – 12:50pm & 14:15pm – 16:50pm
Saturday 10:15am – 12:50pm
Sew Together Sessions
Coming soon we will have free drop-in sewing sessions, where you can use hand sewing, machine sewing, embroidery and mending practices with others in our Lend and Mend Hub in Scone Library.
Project Funding
Nine library partners across Scotland have been selected to host a ‘Lend and Mend Hub’ as part of the pilot project managed by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC).
Taking a co-design approach, the hubs have been developed with insight and expertise from local teams and library members to ensure services are tailored to community needs. Funding granted from The John Lewis Partnership’s £1m Circular Future Fund has been used for the equipment, training and space upgrades needed to deliver these promising projects.
Following their launch, each library hub will also introduce an education programme to support new skills development, helping to reduce inequality through equal access to resources.
There is a short safety video about using the Lend & Mend Hub below followed by a video guide to using the machines safely.