Mend!: A Refashioning Manual and Manifesto

A hands-on manual and a history and celebration of clothes tending--and its remarkable resurgence as art form political statement and path to healing the planet.“For Fans of NBC’s Making It Bravo’s Project Runway or shopping vintage: A sweater gets a hole? Sew it closed... Part history and part how-to Mend! traces the task’s evolution from a 1950s chore to a DIY sustainability movement.” —Marie ClaireFor thousands of years mending was a deep craft that has for too long been a secret history. But now it's back bigger and better than ever. In this book Kate Sekules introduces the art of visible mending as part of an important movement to give fashion back its soul. Part manifesto part how-to MEND! calls for bold new ways of keeping clothes and refreshing your style. Crammed with tips fun facts ravishing photography and illustrated tutorials MEND! tells you exactly how to rescue and renew your wardrobe with flair and aplomb--and save money along the way.Whether you've never owned a needle or are an aspiring professional MEND! gives you clear instruction and witty advice with over thirty techniques from classic darning and patching to cheeky new methods invented by Sekules to help you turn every garment into a unique fashion statement. Including interviews with menders shameful fashion industry facts a ten-step closet mend cheat sheets stitch guides moth elimination museum conservator and vintage dealer tricks and more this is a book to inspire delight and galvanize. Sharp funny and incredibly timely MEND! leads the slow fashion revolution into its next phase where getting dressed is a joyful creative experience for all.