Mend

I first started mending my clothing while in college and was exploring stitching and patching garments to meet a certain look. I was learning to weave, thrifting a majority of my clothes, and trying to make it on very little money. Those early days during my adult life were filled with researching and learning about sustainable fashion and art. I was a young woman who was finding her style and am proud of this person who was searching and trying new things.

Currently, I am a 50 something who has continued mending her clothing over the years, however, we refer to repairing as Visible Mending in these modern times. Mending for me is still about achieving a look, but as I’ve continued to work on my craftsmanship over 30 years as a fiber artist, I believe that I have found a way to make a mended look work for a woman who will continue to wear visibly mended clothing for years to come. This version includes clean and intentionally designed repairs that make one of a kind garments unique by simply using leftover denim and some string.

Sustainability is at the forefront of my mending practice and purchases. I fondly look back to one of the most influential movies of my youth - ‘Pretty in Pink’ - where Molly Ringwald first helped bring thrifting to my life. Making the choice to buy second hand clothing is not only sustainable, but financially beneficial to a person who loves to style outside the box. Having said this, please note that I am not a purist and there are items of clothing and accessories that are purchased new - my goal is to be conscious about where I purchase these items and do my best. All in all, mending goes hand in hand with striving to live a sustainable life.

Finally, I’ve been fortunate to teach visible mending workshops and classes at local shops, art centers, as a demonstrator for events, and in cities across the country. Teaching mending offers the opportunity to not only learn a skill, but to gather in community and share stories while our hands work - to continue the discussion about the importance of being mindful and how simple steps can lead to a practice that is good for humanity and our precious earth.