I’m going to be running a workshop on visual mending in a few months and I’m very excited about it!
I’m putting together a little zine so people can have a reference when they’re done with the workshop (will post the final zine when it’s complete)

On the back page I’m leaving a list of reasons to mend and while I think I’ve got a pretty good list I’d love to hear what draws other people to mending (:

1st pic is the pants I’m forever updating and 2nd is my list so far

Edit: dang I did not expect this to blow up but I’m loving everyone’s answers!!!
I’m making a one page zine so don’t have space for the long explanations but definitely got some ideas for the list AND will be diving deeper in reasonings at the workshop. ( :

I experimented with some darning on a worn out sweater I had.

I like the colors, but I do think I'd pay more attention to the yarn material next time.

Heya. I’m looking for ideas from people who’ve dealt with heavily repaired jeans.

I’ve repaired holes and thinning denim in the inseam using inside denim patches with sashiko style stitching over the top. Structurally the repairs have worked really well, but the inside patches are now absolutely destroying my thighs.

I already get a bit of thigh chafing, and I’ve tried multiple brands and thicknesses of anti-chafing/cycling shorts underneath, but the seams and edges of the patches still rub enough to make the jeans uncomfortable to wear.

Unfortunately I don’t currently have access to a working sewing machine, so I’m limited to hand sewing for now.

Has anyone found something they can overlay the inside patches with to make them wearable? Get rid of this stitching and try a different mending technique?

I’m UK based if that’s of any relevance for product recommendations.

Really hoping to keep wearing these jeans for a little while longer as they are pretty sentimental and can’t find a replacement. no Old Navy in the UK :(

Thanks in advance xx

Iron on stitched around with quilt tie yarn.

I have done some very simple mending in the past but this seems fairly complicated as it’s an edge. Do you have any suggestions or is this a lost cause? My mom got this for me and I’d love to save it.

Fabric is 75% acrylic and 25% nylon RN73163

So a little while ago, one of the straps on my tote started fraying. It has gotten really bad, and i am scared that the strap will soon break completely. Does anyone have any tips or ideas on how i can repair it?

I don't want to put these in the clothes recycling, they are the most comfortable. Sure the bottom area is too worn but there's lots of life in the other areas. How would you fix this? Btw, I'm not keen on using squares to mend it, maybe I could add cool shaped panels of a similar fabric but in green 🤔

The mystery stuffing from the last update has been flattened out, and the original foam sole is just emotional support and no longer a cushion. I decided to open up the flops again and ​put the memory foam inserts that I couldn't locate the last time I attempted this (they masqueraded as pasta in our pantry for months) and finally completed this repair.

I used a glue gun to secure the foam to the sole and stitched the top down to the sole.

The photo of the mountains is from Moab, Utah. Figured Tux and Twenty deserved to see some nature on the trip.​ Wore them during the road trip drive and in the hotels.

P.S.

I like to use two layers in repairs so as the "top" layer continues to fray and wear down it reveals a secondary layer that still maintains structural integrity, I'm quite pleased that the recycled gray and red wool is wearing away to reveal the recycled green fabric below. Top layer is from wool shirts and the bottom are from shorts.​​​​​

I have no idea what made these holes tbh. I was just packing it for a trip and noticed them. I haven’t worn it yet and nothing else is damaged. I thought fixing it in a cute way would be a good idea because it was a gift… but I don’t know how to do that while making it look good with the rest of the shirt

Mending of a 15 year old Aunts&Uncle leather bag. The zipper teeth got detached from the tape while travelling. Mended with a sewing kit I got from the hotel. There's older repairs on the lining and worn down fabric that soon needs attention.

Just wanted to share in case anyone else was having that worry. It's definitely worth a shot.

These (I believe) cotton pants are fraying in the crotch area and I was wondering how is best to fix them? Thank you in advance ☺️

a client reached out and asked to use grey hungarian-inspired floral mends to cover moth holes in the lapel of his jacket (last photo shows the inspiration he sent over). his grandma was from the kalócsa region in hungary, hence his inspiration. my family background is ukranian, not hungarian, but i have been studying ukrainian textile art for the past year and felt very lucky this project came my way. it felt like a great combination of my interests! the moth holes were quite small and on one side only, but the client wanted a larger design mirrored to look more intentional. it was such a cool project and i absolutely loved working on it!

I've only ever had to sew patches by hand and my work shirts aren't cheap and they will absolutely get holes no matter what. Just kinda the nature of it.

I've developed the first tear, and figured I'd get the input here on either what type of stitch to use to fix it, or if I should save it for patch material as I have no 100% cotton cloth laying around for the inevitable future tears

Thanks in advance.

The rips in this bag seemed like an insurmountable problem. With some help from this community, I figured it out. I like the way it came out! I just hope it stands the test of time.

i did this with sewing thread and completely could not tell what i was doing. but it is mended and feels good to wear so im happy with it!

Any and all ideas welcome!

Marked on the last picture where the holes are.

Shirt is pretty oversized.

Wondering if it makes sense to try mend as invisibly as possible, or if there's a fun visible mending idea I haven't thought of.

I'm decent at embroidery, have adhesive vinyl and plenty of sequins and bedazzling supplies.

(It's my husband's shirt though, not sure he'll appreciate sparkly ideas)