Fabric Mending: Darning (O'Neill)
Darning is a fabric mending technique that involves reinforcing or re-weaving a portion of fabric by hand. In this workshop, we’ll learn how to visibly mend holes and weak areas in sweaters, socks, and other knit fabrics using seed stitch and square darning techniques. You’ll leave with a sampler of both techniques that you can refer back to when tackling your own darning projects at home. Suitable for beginners with little or no darning experience, though it does help if you have some experience with hand sewing.
Registration is required.
Fabric Mending: Darning (Valente)
Darning is a fabric mending technique that involves reinforcing or re-weaving a portion of fabric by hand. In this workshop, we’ll learn how to visibly mend holes and weak areas in sweaters, socks, and other knit fabrics using seed stitch and square darning techniques. You’ll leave with a sampler of both techniques that you can refer back to when tackling your own darning projects at home. Suitable for beginners with little or no darning experience, though it does help if you have some experience with hand sewing.
Registration Required.
CANCELLED Sewing 101 (Main)
In this 90-minute workshop, you’ll learn the basics of sewing machine operation and safety. This session will cover machine setup, basic functions, threading the machine, reloading the bobbin, sewing straight stitches, and recognizing when stitch tension has gone awry. We’ll also cover some safety best practices when operating a sewing machine. As we learn together, we’ll work on a simple sewing project—a drawstring bag—which most students will be able to complete by the end of the class.
You must complete Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop.
Create Your Own Terrarium! (Main)
In honor of Earth Day, spend your afternoon at the Library creating your own terrarium. In partnership with Emerald City Plant Shop, you will have the opportunity to learn more about different kind of plants and plant care. This event will be conducted in the front park area of the Library. In the case of rain, the class will be moved to the Rossi room. The Library will provide all needed supplies.
There will be 2 timed sessions. Please make sure to choose the time that works best for you.
Create Your Own Terrarium! (Main)
In honor of Earth Day, spend your afternoon at the Library creating your own terrarium. In partnership with Emerald City Plant Shop, you will have the opportunity to learn more about different kind of plants and plant care. This event will be conducted in the front park area of the Library. In the case of rain, the class will be moved to the community room. The Library will provide needed supplies.
There will be 2 timed sessions. Please make sure to choose the time that works best for you.
Fabric Mending: Darning (Main)
Darning is a fabric mending technique that involves reinforcing or re-weaving a portion of fabric by hand. In this workshop, we’ll learn how to visibly mend holes and weak areas in sweaters, socks, and other knit fabrics using seed stitch and square darning techniques. You’ll leave with a sampler of both techniques that you can refer back to when tackling your own darning projects at home. Suitable for beginners with little or no darning experience, though it does help if you have some experience with hand sewing.
Registration Required.
Sewing 101 with Cambridge Wildlife Arts
This special edition of our Sewing 101 is offered in collaboration with Cambridge Wildlife Arts (Green Cambridge). In this 90-minute workshop, you'll learn the basics of sewing machine operation and safety. This session will cover machine setup, basic functions, threading the machine, reloading the bobbin, sewing straight stitches, and recognizing when stitch tension has gone awry. We’ll also cover some safety best practices when operating a sewing machine. As we learn together, we’ll work on a simple sewing project—hemming blank banners for the Banners Project launched by Cambridge Wildlife Arts.
Short Story Reading Group (Central Square)
Drop by the Central Square Branch's Lewis Room to read and discuss “No Flesh Over Our Bones" by Mariana Enriquez. Copies of the story will be provided, along with snacks. No preparation is needed. Registration helpful but not required.
The City of Cambridge does not discriminate, including on the basis of disability. We may provide auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to people with disabilities. For more information contact us at library@cambridgema.gov, 617-349-4032 (voice), or via relay at 711.
Know Your Rights: Housing (Main/Virtual)
Do you rent an apartment in Cambridge? Are you confused by your lease? Do you have maintenance issues in your home that haven’t been addressed?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may want to learn more about your tenant rights!
Join us for Know Your Rights: Housing! In this presentation, you will learn about your rights as a tenant and Cambridge resources that support renters. We will be joined by attorneys from Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services and the City of Cambridge’s Office of the Housing Liaison.
Ben Wikler presents: This Is the Plan: How to End America's Meltdown and Save Democracy (Main)
Harvard Book Store and the Cambridge Public Library welcome Ben Wikler—political organizer and strategist who served as the chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin from July 2019 to July 2025—for a discussion of his new book, This Is The Plan: How to End America's Meltdown and Save Democracy. He will be joined in conversation by Danielle Allen—James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University, acclaimed author of Our Declaration, and the forthcoming book Radical Duke, releasing June 2026. Registration is required.