The Repair Shop: Tales from the Workshop of Dreams

A celebration of the most moving stories behind the items restored in the Workshop of Dreams, updated with new tales in paperback.

Every object tells a story...
We all have treasures hidden away in the attic, well-loved and well-worn belongings that have been passed down from generation to generation. They may be damaged or no longer working, but we can’t bear to part with them. The expert craftspeople of Repair Shop are dedicated to restoring and conserving these heirlooms. They know that the true worth of these possessions doesn’t lie in their monetary value, but in the memories they hold and the stories they tell.

In this fascinating book, you’ll step inside The Repair Shop’s Workshop of Dreams to explore some of the most moving family stories from the series. From a glamorous sequinned dress that belonged to a popular traveling circus performer to a pump organ that was brought from Jamaica by a member of the Windrush generation, each family item is brought vividly to life - and lovingly restored by the team of Repair Shop experts who also contribute to these expanded stories. With a foreword by Jay Blades, Tales from the Workshop of Dreams is a heartfelt love letter to our collective past, and a fascinating slice of social history.

This book features items fixed by Repair Shop experts Steve Fletcher, Will Kirk, Lucia Scalisi, Suzie Fletcher, Kirsten Ramsay, Dominic Chinea, Brenton West, Tim Gunn, Sara Dennis, Chris Shaw, Matt Nickels, Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell. With great care and attention to detail, the Repair Shop team resurrect priceless pieces of family history and breathe new life into the stories they hold.

Karen Farrington is an author, ghost-writer, editor and researcher for a range of leading UK publishers. She has written more than 40 books, including the Springwatch Almanac, The Ambridge Chronicles, and Great Lives, as well as for national magazines and newspapers.