Thursday, August 30, 2012

mend it







I never thought it would be possible to be so inspired by a book on, of all things, mending. I'm sure most of us mend from time to time, even if it's just replacing a button. I mend sporadically. In that I let a huge pile of mending build up and then finally, after much procrastination, I start to make my way through it.  I can't say that I've ever really enjoyed it.

But to be creatively inspired to mend, and to actually look forward to getting stuck into that pile? Mend it Better is full of little projects and tips to turn mended patches into works of art, to lengthen hems with a patchwork effect or to cover stains with pretty applique. All with a certain charm.





Though my mending is pretty basic so far, and certainly not of the highest standard, I'm embracing that simple, homespun look.  Holes in the knees are often an issue around here, and though I have patched in the past, like way back here, I'm enjoying adding hand stitching to that process. Sitting down and slowly handstitching can be likened to the experience of knitting.




And although not from this book, but reflecting a similar essence of frugal creativity, I took a holey hand knitted jumper, originally op shopped, chopped it up a bit, and added some Liberty print bias binding. I had seen similar from Tiny Happy, and always wanted to try it. Though my work is hardly as neat and suffice to say, it was not my finest bias binding moment. I may have done better to use a felted jumper in the first place, but it is amazing what a hot iron can do.




It does feel good to have an empty basket in my sewing room once again.  Just as good as returning these items back into their rightful cupboard. That with a little effort they will live to see at least another season.



Wishing you all a pleasant Thursday.

17 comments:

  1. What a fantastic looking book Tania!! I love your little patches especially the hand sewn ones....i really must go take a look in the mending basket again...you have inspired me today x

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  2. The items you've 'mended' look fabulous. I always think that if you save money by mending and padding out that wardrobe too it makes for savings towards something a little special that you want as well.

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  3. A book on mending.....who would have thought. Lol

    I love what you have done

    I did some jeans for my girls a while ago,I always put an iron on patch behind it to give it some strength

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  4. Your heart knee jeans remind me of a pair of pants mum mended for me as a child - they were plain black pants with holes in the knees and she put hot pink hearts over the knees. That bit was great, but she decided (for fun!) to add a hot pink heart to the bum too.... I was a mortified tween LOL

    Your mending looks great. I don't get to mend much as the boys have usually grown out of clothes or if they are ours, they are well past mending and only fit for rags. But you've inspired me to keep an eye out for mending jobs that can be done with flair.

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  5. Mending is something I also do not enjoy & always push to the side to do fun stuff. You have inspired me to be creative with mending & get stuck into my pile! Thanks Tania:)

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  6. The jumper looks terrific with the Liberty binding!

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  7. Oh patches! Love it. Yes, I can see how you would be inspired. And that upcycling effort with liberty is simply gorgeous. ok, I think I have gleaned some patchy-inspiration. ta xx

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  8. Absolutely love the homespun look, especially the jeans with overlapping patches. You have motivated me to attempt the mending pile building up in my sewing cupboard which I have been very efficiently ignoring!

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  9. This looks like a great book to own Tania. Might have to invest in one me thinks :)

    Have a great day!

    x

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  10. that jumper looks wonderful !
    Lauren
    :)

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  11. What a great job you have done to keep making use of things! Suddenly I'm guiltily aware of my overflowing mending basket though!

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  12. One of the first thing I ever sewed was a pink heart shaped patch on my flares when I was about ten!
    I think I sewed a little heart to the front pocket to match :-)

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  13. Thanks for recommending the book! I'll have to add it to my wish list... :-)

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  14. We bought this book for our library this spring and I just adore it. I have always taken a practical, functional approach to mending...not really tapping in to the creative side of it. I never thought about it. This book was a real eye-opener!

    The heart patches look sweet and I love what you did with that sweater. How clever!

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  15. Refashion blog is full of inspiration but I never seem to get further than the reading bit LOL

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  16. You've inspired me Tania. I think it's time to sort that pile of ever growing holey pants out, (going up and down a gravel pile on your bum doesn't help... the four year old, not me.)

    Love the little jumper, you must have the funkiest dressed kids around :-)

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