At its most basic definition, mending is about fixing damage to an item—but really, it is so much more. When we invest time and care into mending clothing, we reduce textile waste while also taking a step towards a more sustainable wardrobe. We are not just repairing holes; we are preserving memories, honoring the life of our garments, and nurturing a connection to our carefully chosen belongings.
Mending can also be a community-building activity—one that brings people together, passes on valuable skills, and encourages the next generation toward mindfulness and intention. In a world that encourages us to toss and replace, mending stands as an act of care, creativity, sustainability, and a small rebellion against the overproduction of fast fashion and consumerism.
Mending for a Greener Future: How Repairing Clothes Helps the Planet
Every hole mended or seam repaired means one less garment rotting in a landfill or polluting a faraway country. The fashion industry waste crisis continues to grow, with millions of garments discarded every year. We’re trapped in a constant cycle of buy, wear, toss, repeat.
Clothing today is inexpensive, easy to access, and relatively cheap to replace. Why invest time and energy into repairing a pair of leggings when you can buy a new pair for $8 at Target? Convenience has made mending seem obsolete—until you shift your mindset toward consuming less and minimizing demand for new production.
When we take the time to repair what we have, we may not be saving a huge amount of money, but we are saving resources and reducing environmental impact. It’s a small step when taken individually, but when we collectively choose sustainability, our small acts take on more weight. In a world where we often feel helpless to create change, mending is a small, quiet rebellion against a culture of disposability.
The Stories Our Clothing Tell: Preserving Memories Through Mending
Artist Louise Bourgeois once said,
"Clothing is an exercise in memory. It makes me explore the past: how did I feel when I wore that? They are like signposts in the search for the past."
Do you have a box of nostalgic clothes tucked away in an attic?
My mom made many of the clothes my siblings and I wore growing up, and she saved a lot of them. When I started having kids, she pulled out those little treasures and passed them on for the next generation to wear. Seeing those pieces again brought back a flood of memories.
"Oh, I remember that!" I'd exclaim, suddenly reconnecting to a younger version of myself.
As my children wear these garments, I tell them,
"Mommy used to wear this when she was your age," or "Nana made this for me just like I make some of your clothes."
These moments turned simple clothing into family history, fostering an appreciation beyond just function. While some pieces find new life when passed down, others remain deeply personal—garments we’re not ready to part with because they still hold a place in our own journey.
Have you ever pulled on an old sweater and felt a rush of nostalgia? Clothes are more than fabric—they carry our stories. The first pair of jeans you bought after pregnancy, your grandfather’s flannel, the dress from a favorite vacation—these pieces hold our memories.
Mending allows us to preserve and honor those stories and the inevitable wear and tear on our clothes is a sign of being well loved. A patch on a worn elbow or a reinforced seam keeps not just the fabric intact, but also the moments and emotions attached to it. By choosing to mend instead of replace, we stay connected to our past, to the hands that made or gifted us our clothes, and to the experiences they’ve seen.
Finding Community Through Mending
In the past, mending was often a community act, strengthening relationships as skills were passed down. Some of my best experiences with mending have been when groups of like-minded people gather to share this purposeful activity together.
Sitting side by side, fumbling through stitches, exchanging stories about our garments, and laughing over mistakes—this is an intimate and beautiful way to build connection. It was through mending groups that I started upcycling, tabled my first market, and even showcased designs in a fashion show! Without these community connections, I would never have met people who gave me the right inspiration at the right time.
Recently, I hosted my first-ever mending table at the Sloop Clearwater Open House in Kingston. With fabric scraps, embroidery thread, and tools at the ready, I helped people mend their own clothes—sometimes for the first time ever. Watching someone attempt their first repair, nervously making their first stitches, then seeing pride and joy spread across their face when they finished—it was magical.
Parents knelt down to show their children the process of repairing their favorite princess dress. Friends chatted while mending a pair of pants. It was community in its purest form.
If mending feels daunting, joining a group can be an encouraging way to start. I’ll include a few resources at the end of this post, and be sure to keep an eye out—Faithfully Yours may host more mending events in the future!
Building a Mending Practice
Rather than seeing a hole or frayed edge as a flaw, think of it as a chapter in the garment’s journey. Every patch and stitch is a mark of care, a reminder of where that piece has been and what it has meant to you.
If mending is new to you, it can feel overwhelming. But mending isn’t about perfection—it’s about functionality and preservation. The garment is already imperfect; it should be celebrated as such!
Think of the Japanese pottery repair practice kintsugi—where broken pottery is repaired with gold-dusted lacquer, highlighting the cracks instead of hiding them. The philosophy behind kintsugi is that the history of an object is part of its beauty. Visible mending is one style that captures this philosphy and the often the repaired garment is even more beautiful and special than before.
So if you’re worried your stitches will be messy, or that the garment will “look repaired”—that’s the point. You are honoring its journey.
Approach mending as play. Experiment. See what works, and what you might do differently next time. There is no right or wrong way to mend. Every repair makes your garment unique. Lean into the creativity and see what happens.
Getting Started with Mending
If you’re interested in starting a mending practice, here are a few ways to begin:
Check out books on mending from your local library (This one is a good start).
Watch online tutorials (Check this one out).
Join a local mending circle or community sewing group (This one meets monthly in Kingston.
Start small—practice on an old t-shirt before tackling your favorite jeans.
Basic Mending Supplies:
If you already craft, you probably have some of these supplies on hand! If not, here are the essentials:
✔️ Sharp scissors
✔️ Embroidery thread
✔️ Needles & pins
✔️ Embroidery hoop (optional, but helpful)
I also have a resource list for craft stores in the Hudson Valley and online if you need help finding supplies!
Join the Mending Movement!
Mending isn’t just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about sustainability, creativity, and honoring the stories woven into our clothes.
Every stitch is a small but powerful step toward a more mindful, less wasteful world. Whether you’re patching up a favorite pair of jeans, reinforcing a well-loved sweater, or experimenting with visible mending, your efforts matter.
Now, I’d love to hear from you!
I'd love to hear from you with any questions you have about mending. Reach out on Instagram or email—I’d be happy to offer tips or suggestions to help you get started!
And if you want to stay in the loop for future mending events, sign up for the Faithfully Yours newsletter.
Let’s mend, make do, and rediscover the beauty in what we already have!
Share this post