It's the new trend… start to mend!
Why would you mend your clothes?
Well, did you know that there are enough clothes on the planet, right now, to dress the next six generations of the human race - according to the British Fashion Council.
This is a huge wake-up call about waste and what it means for our future!
Of course, we need clothes. 😊
But by doing a spot of creative mending (or getting someone else, who loves to mend, to do it for you) you can extend the life of the well-loved, favourite clothes you already have.
Sounds good? I think so too!
Did you know that every Australian disposes of an average 23 kilograms of clothing – sending them to landfill each year. That’s a lot of clothes.
And it contributes to the 6,000kg of clothing and textile waste being discarded into landfill every 10 minutes, placing Australia into second place as being the largest consumer of textiles per person in the world, behind the USA. 🙁
If we can reduce the 200,000 tonnes of textile landfill accumulated in Australia every year – it really will make a difference!
Most of us now know that the circular economy is a great way to recycle and reuse clothing. And you’re probably doing a great job with that.
But what if it’s a tee shirt you’d love to keep, or a well worn-in pair of jeans you just don’t want to part with?
This is where mending can be a great solution.
VISIBLE MENDING
Casual clothes and socks are prime targets for visible mending. When neatly stitched in matched, or contrasting colours, the mend can make quite a fashion statement.
A basic form of mending is a visible repair - made by long stitching across one way - and then the other way, woven in and out of the original stiches.
Embroidery hoops can help keep larger holes tight, so it’s easier to to work on the repair.
If you’re darning in a weaving style of mending – an embroidery thread is thicker and easier to use.
Most of the things you need may already be in a sewing kit at home. Although you may need to buy an embroidery needle for the thicker thread.
Start with a small repair on a pair of jeans or socks, to get used to doing the stitching.
I’m definitely not an expert at mending so I suggest you look on YouTube for examples and instructions. There is loads of information about all types of mending available on there.
When I was researching for this blog, I saw some delightful small embroidery knots that were flowers, created for mending a jumper with small holes. They were very pretty - and there are plenty of inspiring solutions you can use when mending.
Visible mending can also mean using a patch of fabric, embroidered or not, sewn straight over a small tear or hole in clothing.
INVISIBLE MENDING & PATCHING
Invisible mending is a great way to hide small holes and repair tears.
If you use a fabric patch under a hole or tear – make sure the fabrics are the same weight and feel. They also need to ‘wash’ the same way as well – so one doesn’t scrunch up the other material.
Invisible mending uses a finer needle, small stiches and thread that matches the garment colour – to disguise the repair.
Other helpful materials used in invisible mending include iron-on backing fabrics.
If you are eco-aware, you may like to avoid glues.
TYING IT UP...
There are other interesting things that can be mended or patched.
For example, if you have a cheeky cat that scratches the side of a fabric couch – you can work your mending magic on that (the couch!) as well. 😺
It’s also not all about tears and holes in clothes or couches.
When you re-sew a button onto a shirt, or repair a hem, you’re also adding years of extra wear to your clothes.
Surprisingly to me, some people find that mending can be quite meditative, taking some concentration and focus for the time you are doing the repair. After reading about it, I feel encouraged to give it a try now.
Maybe do a small repair and see how you go.
And if you’re really pleased with your result, please share it in the comments… we’d love to see your success. :)
On the other hand, if it’s not your ‘thing’ – or you just don’t have time – let someone else do the work for you!
That also helps our local economy grow as well. 💚😊
This blog will be here to share, re-visit, and (I hope) inspire for the future.
Remember to bookmark this post so you can come back to it at any time. 😊 Thanks.
And if you enjoyed this blog, please help us share it - by leaving a comment to let others know about our Twizzle Designs Earth-friendly blog.
Twizzle Designs offers truly eco-friendly, Australian made, sustainable gifts for your friends and family.
We also donate to 💚 Planting trees 💚 Supporting conservation of Australian native wildlife, and 💚 Helping to save our planet by donating to environmentally aware charities. Because these are the things that are close to our heart. 😊
