Mending Visibly: Bringing Old Items Back to Life with Style
In a bid to reduce the impact of fast fashion on the environment, an innovative approach called visible mending is gaining traction. This technique, which dates back to historical practices and cultural traditions, is making a comeback as a means to extend the life of existing clothing.
One enthusiast of visible mending recently embarked on their first project, choosing a well-loved work-around-the-house hoodie belonging to their husband for the task. The chosen item, near the end of its life, required visible mending to prolong its lifespan.
The process began with the researcher using a t-shirt with a complementary colour and pattern as the patch material. The patch was cut larger than the repair area and then trimmed down to size. Cotton embroidery floss was used for sewing around the outer edge of the patch with a running stitch, providing support to thin or torn areas. Interestingly, the edges of the patch were left with a raw edge due to the t-shirt material's tendency to curl over rather than fray in the wash.
The researcher completed one patch and took comparison pictures, documenting the transformation of the hoodie. However, the husband was not yet convinced by the visible mending. This response is not uncommon, as visible mending challenges the conventional norm of concealing repairs and instead embraces the visibility of the stitchwork.
Visible mending is not just a functional repair method but also a form of personal and cultural expression. It offers a counter-narrative to fast fashion by cultivating value through repair and visible storytelling on garments. This approach encourages the repair and prolongation of garments instead of disposal, thereby promoting sustainability through slow fashion principles.
The practice of visible mending has inspired DIY and artisanal communities, influencing brands and designers to incorporate mending techniques in their collections as a statement against waste. It also raises consumer awareness about the environmental costs of disposable clothing, contributing to a more sustainable fashion industry.
For those interested in learning more about visible mending, useful resources include an introduction to visible mending, a guide on mending a tear around a pocket, and a guide on mending with patches. As we continue to navigate the challenges posed by fast fashion, visible mending offers a practical and creative solution that respects tradition, craft, and modern sustainability movements.
Intrigued by the sustainable approach of visible mending, the enthusiast decided to apply this technique to their husband's worn-out home-and-garden hoodie, which required repair. To incorporate fashion-and-beauty into the repair process, the researcher used a t-shirt with a complementary color and pattern as the patch material, transforming the hoodie into a unique piece that tells a visible story of its lifespan, promoting a lifestyle that values repair and sustainability over fast fashion.
