eleanor alone
Mending
Mending is a philosophy. It is an art form. It is a reflection of values.
Our "stuff" is worth saving. If you have an item of clothing in your closet that isn't worth mending, then why do you have it?
Visible Mending
Invisible Mending
Visible mending
Problem: Tear at left armrest Solution: Reweave and darn over hole
Problem: Tear at left armrest Solution: Reweave and darn over hole
Problem: Moth holes Solution: Visible mending with darning circles This sweater dress was mended by removing and unraveling a pocket. I then used the existing yarns to darn contrast circles over the dress
Problem: Moth holes Solution: Visible mending with darning circles This sweater dress was mended by removing and unraveling a pocket. I then used the existing yarns to darn contrast circles over the dress
Problem: Small hole cut into inner elbow
Solution: Swiss darning with reclaimed Fabscrap yarn
Problem: Burst knee
Solution: Patch the hole with gray plaid fabrics enhanced with decorative stitching. Every color you see is a stitch
Problem: Burst Knee Solution: Patch denim beneath the mend reinforces the worn area with Sashiko stitching and blanket stitching around the break
Problem: Holes at toes Solution: Visible Mending with Fabscrap Yarn and satin stitch
Problem: This skinny sweater was bursting the seam under the armpit Solution: Subtle visible darning with Fabscrap yarn
Problem: This skinny sweater was bursting the seam under the armpit Solution: Subtle visible darning with Fabscrap yarn
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After
stitching Process
Before
knit repair
Problem: Socks were wearing thin in the heels and ball of foot Solution: Original knit is traced with duplicate stitch and reclaimed Fabscrap yarn
Problem: Socks were wearing thin in the heels and ball of foot Solution: Original knit is traced with duplicate stitch and reclaimed Fabscrap yarn
Problem: Small hole in body of sweater
Solution: Recreate one row of knit stitches with duplicate stitch
Problem: Holes were warn away in this vintage Christmas Stocking
Problem: Holes were warn away in this vintage Christmas Stocking
Solution: Holes were mended by recreating the original stitches using the Swiss Darning technique
Solution: Holes were mended by recreating the original stitches using the Swiss Darning technique
Problem: Large previously mended holes in heels and balls of feet
Solution: Damaged areas were reknit back together
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after
Before
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after
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after
When it has a bird on it, you mend it! Problem: Large tear @ back right sleeve
Solution: Line rayon sleeve with cotton voile. Hand stitch hole down to lining patch
Problem: A homemade latch hooked pillow with sentimental value needed a new backing
Problem: A homemade latch hooked pillow with sentimental value needed a new backing
Solution: Reinforce latch hook framework by quilting it down to a piece of muslin. A new velvet backing was created out of a hem length from a previous project
Solution: Reinforce latch hook framework by quilting it down to a piece of muslin. A new velvet backing was created out of a hem length from a previous project
Problem: Huge tear in mesh dress
Solution: Overlap edges of the tear and delicately hand stitch flat
Problem: A client wanted this tear in the knee of her jeans to stop spreading, yet keep the original knee hole
Solution: Patch the back of the tear with heavy Spandex and darn over the top with a combination of machine and hand stitching
Problem: Holes were shredding in this poly silk bathrobe Solution: Hand stitch on a patch -- aligning the pattern of the patch to the garment **There are TWO patches in this pattern. Can you find them?