A stitch in time saves nine — and may also keep a treasured garment out of landfill.

With a little help from the SIRCH Repair Cafe, Haliburton area resident Nancy Louch is wearing her red blazer again this spring.

“My daughter and I both like to wear this one,” said Nancy, who attended the first 2026 Repair Cafe event at the SIRCH Bistro in Haliburton. “I’ve had it for about 20 years. I noticed a tear in the seam and wanted to get it properly mended.”

At the repair cafe event in April, Nancy was introduced to volunteer — and expert sewer — Hana Curtis. Hana examined the garment and decided to hand-stitch the broken seam.

Fixed!

In fact, Nancy’s red blazer was just one of a medley of items repaired by SIRCH volunteers during the first Repair Cafe event of 2026.

For starters, guests brought in a mix-master, sewing machine and turntable. Several lamps with electrical or structural problems were brought in for attention, followed by a hair dryer, iron and coffee grinder, a ring, bicycle, purse, pair of pants and more.

In all, about 23 of 27 items brought in that day were successfully repaired at the April event.

“Our volunteers have given these items a new lease on life,” said Program Coordinator Dianne Woodcock. “Besides helping residents hold on to cherished items, we are also keeping many items out of landfill.”

Fabrics, for example, represent about 5 percent of the volume of material going into the Haliburton area landfill stations.

As many of our landfills near capacity, and waste disposal becomes more expensive, a stitch in time can go a long way towards a more sustainable world.

Since the SIRCH Repair Cafe restarted after the pandemic, its talented team have repaired more than 700 items and counting.

The next cafe runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday May 24th at the Minden Lions Hall.

For more information on SIRCH Community Services and its amazing Repair Cafe, please visit: sirch.on.ca