I now own quite a few mending books, but this one is my current favourite.
I love it so much that I bought both a paperback version and a Kindle (iPad) copy, just so that I could lend the paper version out. It’s a great deal more than simply a how-to guide, it also delves into the why-to. I took photos of a few pages so you could get a proper feel for Lily’s writing style. The book starts at the very basics (how to sew on a button) and focuses mostly on hand sewing. It’s extremely approachable for menders at all skill levels, but particularly for beginners.
It begins with Lily’s explanation on why donating our old clothes might assuage our guilt, but is actually only marginally better than sending them to landfill…
In both e-book and print format, the mending instructions are clearly illustrated and described…
Fabulous information graphics are included…
And I absolutely love that the mending work celebrates function and uniqueness over perfection. It’s like being given permission to play! As you’ve seen from my own repair efforts, I would far prefer a mend which adds to the story of a garment rather than one which hides it…
Additionally, there is a section on upcycling ideas once clothing is beyond the point of fixing…
. . . . .
A friend said to me recently, “Celia, mending is your thing, but it’s not for everyone.” And I really do understand that. As evidenced by the lukewarm response to my suggestions of a darning workshop, even my most staunchly eco-minded friends will baulk at the idea of picking up a needle to fix something.
But folks, that has to change. We can’t keep churning through new resources at the rate we’re going – the planet can’t sustain it. If there is anything you can do to give something which already exists an extended life, then I’d urge you to have a go.
Seriously, perfection is overrated, and style is always optional. I’ve got a few posts lined up to show you the things I’ve been working on lately in the hope that they’ll encourage you to look at your old clothes in a different way.
Celebrate the story, darn those socks, stitch up that ripped seam. Lily’s book will help you get started! ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
I have recently found a beautiful lemon knitted baby jacket that my late mother made for my first baby. I couldn’t remember what had happened to it. After 30 years, the jacket had unfortunately got several tiny moth holes. Yesterday I purchased some lemon thread and watched several repair videos and now feel confident that I can repair the jacket. Thanks for the book recommendation – I will see if I can purchase a copy.
That is very inspiring! Thank you.
I donate the best of my clothes to the women’s shelter. Most of them do get used, as these women often leave with nothing.
But today I wanted below the knee pants for gardening. So I found a pair that are almost too big (losing weight), knelt on the floor and marked where they would cover my knees when out in the garden. Whacked them off and put the lower legs in the laundry to wash and then they’ll go into the denim pile for a quilt I want to make.
Mo
Good for you, Mo! We have to donate with research and care!
I so loved this post. I am a firm believer in mending, recycling and upcycling and I now know that I am downcycling when I am making a crocheted rug from old jeans cut into strips or is it recycling?
No, you’re upcycling!! You’re making something from existing materials which gives them a second life!! 👏👏👏
I forgot so say that this book would be a great gift for younger folk.
thanks Celia for this post I’d never considered a book on repairs until now. We’re getting better (at our house) reducing waste, recycling, composting and so on but I went to eBay and my copy arrives in a few days. Every little bit helps. These days I even add any tired fruit from the fruit bowl into casseroles (bit of mandarin including peel with some star anise), pears and apple into veggie soup …. You are an inspiration
Braided rugs are beautiful and add a homey feeling to the room; at least in my opinion.
I have a stack of ripped jeans in my sewing room. Some will be mended as the jeans are pretty new still, others will be made into quilts. Maybe a bedspread or picnic blanket, or both. I made seat covers from old jeans once. I also used old jeans to make tool pouches for the boys’ wrenches and tools. The pouches could be rolled up and tied shut and easily fit under the seat of the pickup keeping their tools sorted, tidy, and handy. I prefer sewing/mending over darning. Lol
Loved your post, and I enjoy mending and repurposing clothes, but I should do more of it. I mended some of my grandchildren’s clothes when we were with them in the Falklands earlier in the year, and their Mother was thrilled even though I was worried she would think my mending skills were a bit shoddy. However it did the job and jeans looks great don’t they when they are given mending patches. I like the sound of the book you are recommending Celia. Thanks so much for the inspiration as ever, Pauline
Ths looks lke a good book. I have my Make Do and Mend from the 1940s but it may be due for an update! For years everyone always told me I was being cheap by mending and now it is the latest thing! Have a lovely week!
Love my old rag rug, so difficult to find now. Have a pile of clothes beyond my mending skills ready to be ripped and made into a rug. Celia, always learn so much from your musings.
This came through today: https://www.broadsheet.com.au/national/event/clothing-recycling-collection. Thanks as always, have a great week Lorna
I have a rag rug in my camper, makes such a difference in cold weather! Oddly I’m even more fond of the messy one I made from the hems & rough edges ( I tore up sheets for the pretty one) which perfectly fits the step and keeps a lot of dirt out. Forgot I can’t upload pics but Celia, you crochet? My rag rugs are crocheted old flanelette sheets- often in op shops, rip easily, (I am not going to be cutting up knit fabric in this lifetime), still has a slight stretch so easy to work with. In the bathroom as well, absorb water and wash easily. Braided means… a table, and either a 4 strand weave or sewing the plaits together, crochet is much easier, I can do it on my lap, and looks similar. Someone in Adelaide runs workshops on Amish rag rugs, and I want to try that too. Thanks as always…I recently tore a huge rent in a favourite pair of hiking pants that already has 2 patches, I will need to do some planning on this one. Maybe send for the book – great excuse for procrastination, thanks!!
Book ordered. Pants being darned with a bit of net to reinforce – I like wearing thin quickdry pants in winter unless its so cold I’m wearing rainpants, because they do get wet they dry quickly – jeans will hold a lot of water, chafe and seriously cool you.
Celia I have a pile of jeans on the dining room table (mostly his but one of mine) that I’m working through mending visibly using the sashiko stitching method. Your previous posts having inspired me so much, and now I simply love the calming relaxation of sitting here, stitching, (using ordinary cotton thread from the stash in my sewing basket) listening to podcasts or enjoying the silence. It’s my time out from a busy farming life. I’m not a great sewer, fumbly fingers, but the freestyle method of preserving an article of clothing fits perfectly into my ethos of non-consumerism. I always think carefully before deciding to make any purchase; Is it a need or just a want? Then, if it really is a necessary requirement, I always try thrift shops first. Our home furnishings, appliances and clothing were 99% purchased in used condition. Only shoes and underwear is purchased new. Since isolation, I’ve even mended underpants…lol…but have been darning socks for years and years. A floor rug made from old t-shirts is on my side of the bed, and the sleeves of old jumpers make’s ideal coats for baby bottle fed lambs. Re-purposing and making do with what we have is the way here at our place. XX Sally
Remember in “Brave New World” the chant “Ending is better than Mending”? I guess our own dystopian society is finally trying to escape from that mind-set, which was counter to the way real people behaved when Huxley wrote the book. My granddaughter was telling us (over e-chat) that she has been sewing in order to re-style her clothes into new designs. I wonder what that means for the future.
My favorite stretch pants are really getting baggy but I think there’s no hope for fixing them. I purchased them in 1996, and have worn them ever since, so I think maybe I’ve done them justice.
be well… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Great about the ops shops clothes donations, I will make sure mine go to a women’s shelter from now on. Thank You.
Thank you for this! I am mending a beloved stuffed animal tonight and this really helped. Hugs, Maz.