Celebrating the Art of Repair

I have always believed that there is something special and tender about choosing to mend a garment that has been worn or torn, rather than to simply discard and replace it. Turning the piece inside out, assessing the rips and worn places, considering how the fabric must move and the best way to fix it so we can keep using it... It's almost a meditation and a way of getting to know yourself better, all at once.

I've certainly found this to be the case with my studio jeans, the pair that I would wear around the art studio when I was working on ceramics or other projects. The first holes appeared in my back pocket, where I would store my phone; the next appeared on the thighs, where I would often wipe my hands. It was a combination of thriftiness and curiosity that drove me to my first repairs on those jeans - after all, why shell out for a new pair of jeans when I was just using them for the studio? 

^{My 'studio jeans,' after many years and over 30 mends (with more to come)!}

Little did I know that those jeans would become my favourite pair, start me on my love affair with mending, and would ultimately lead me to where I am now, sharing that love with all of you. And just in case you need a little extra motivation on your own mending journey, today I wanted to shine a spotlight on some of the incredible mending artists that have inspired me, and who I have had the absolute pleasure of working with over the years!

Please note: as many of these amazing women have literally written the book on mending, you will find some affiliate links to their work below. If you purchase from these links, I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you - which means both the author and I are being supported by your purchase!

Kate Sekules

Of course, it wouldn't be right to kick off this spotlight with anyone other than the founder of Mend March herself, Kate Sekules! Kate has been writing and talking sustainable, ethical fashion for over 30 years, and is well-known for her Mend March challenge on Instagram, which invites menders all over the world to post photos of their mends based on a list of prompts for each weekday of the month.

Kate has also written the book Mend!: A Refashioning Manual and Manifesto, which is a personal favourite and full of techniques, history, and advice from her charmingly cheeky self. 

Where to find her: I recommend following Kate Sekules on Instagram to be sure you get any Mend March news, and checking out her website, www.visiblemending.com. 

Erin Eggenburg

Erin Eggenburg is the person behind Wren Bird Arts, an online space to shop for hand stitching patterns, kits, and materials. Specializing in visible mending, Erin has also created the Mending Club, who meet online once a month, and also teaches online workshops (including some that we've seen in our past Making Zen retreats!). I love that Erin has used visible mending to combine her passions of embroidery, and creative reuse! 

Erin's book, The Mending Directory, includes 52 patterns to use for your mends, with detailed instructions. You could do a different mend each week of the year!

Where to find her: You can see Erin's gorgeous mends on Instagram, and you can do a bit of shopping and read her blog on her website: https://wrenbirdarts.com/ 

Skye Pennant

Skye Pennant's approach to visible mending is very resonant to me. She has a gentle way of speaking about the pieces she is fixing, like they are old friends - and in many ways, they are. I have always felt that visible mends add to the story of a garment, and Skye voices that beautifully.

You can read Skye's book, Well Worn: Visible Mending for the Clothes You Love, which is a guide to a plethora of mending techniques.

Where to find her: Skye posts on Instagram and you can find her online at https://slowstitch.club/ 

Selina Ben

I've had the honour of working with Selina Ben numerous times over the years, from Making Zen retreats to guest workshops. Selina is passionate about reducing textile waste and its load on the planet, having worked in the fashion industry and witnessed, first-hand, the chemicals and the waste involved.

Feeling unaligned with what she was seeing, Selina has shifted gears and now focuses on historical East Asian needlework and visible mending.

Where to find her: see photos of Selina's work on Instagram, and check out upcoming workshops and her online shop on her website: https://www.unwrittenstitch.com/ 

Arounna Khounnoraj

As a Master of Fine Arts, Arounna Khounnoraj has the most incredible eye for composition, and uses it to her advantage in a number of mediums, including visible mending. She and her partner both tend to favour natural materials in their work, which gives a beautifully cohesive and organic feel. Plus, I love that she's a fellow alumna of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design!

Arounna has written several books, and I have no doubts that they are all wonderful - so far, I have read Visible Mending: A Modern Guide to Darning, Stitching and Patching the Clothes You Love, and I would absolutely recommend it!

Where to find her: Arounna's sweet projects are often posted to her Instagram page, and you can find her shop and a beautiful portfolio of work on her website: https://www.bookhou.com/ 

Gather your needle...

What all of these amazing women have in common is a love for our planet, a will to have a positive impact, and a desire to take care. If that resonates with you, I hope you will join us in gathering your needle and thread, your torn garments, your patches. I hope you will sit with the things that you love, and give them your valuable attention.

If you need a little help getting started, my Sashiko Essentials guide is free, and will set you off on the right foot. You can get it here!

Wishing you happy mending! 💙