Mending Matters: Stitch, Patch, and Repair Your Favorite Denim & More Kindle Edition

I am giving this book a 4 but I don't know that I can recommend it as a tool for learning to mend. If you want to know why, please read on.Maybe I misinterpreted the title? Maybe as I scanned through the book and I didn't see all the projects offered? The book shows images that prove her mending is as lovely as her sentiments towards the movement of slow fashion. And really that is what this book has the most to offer, as it is a long, well-thought presentation of the movement. If I wanted a reason to mend then this would be the book for me. If I wanted to convert someone with slow fashion proselytizing this would be the book for that need. I don't mean this as a bash, because this book is intelligent and well written, but I thought I was getting a book on mending techniques and it didn't feel that way when I dipped my toes in to look at the projects.I returned the book as soon as I realized it wasn't really a book with an array of techniques for many kinds of damaged clothes, but because I wanted to know if I misunderstood what the book presented itself to be I went back to look at the title, and description, in greater detail. The description cites that there are over 20 projects within the pages of the book, but even though I felt a big problem with the book was that all the projects looked and felt the same, and that there wasn't much innovation - do I put the patch inside or outside? do I make the patch bigger than the hole? do I make some extra stitches around the area? - but even thinking things all looked the same my mind cannot wrap around the fact that on returning the book, I came here to write this review, and fully thought I was going to write that I was disappointed in that it only contained a half dozen projects. And here I look and see the book has over 20. I think this says it all, sadly. 20 projects easily summed into a handful.Another person mentions the lack of knit fabric mending techniques as one issue. I think this also hits the nail on the head. The clumsiest newbie-to-sewing folks can sew a patch on denim and perhaps make some even-enough rows of running stitches without too much of a stretch of effort and this is what the majority of the book contains. Patchwork denim. It's lovely work, but a simple concept, and each one I recall seeing as I scanned the pages was a pretty simple project. What I really wanted was a mending book that told me how to fix an array of common issues, and maybe creatively. Seeing different fabrics, different notions, different treatments. Fixing buttons, fixing plackets, fixing the inevitable holes we get in t-shirts, darning socks, mending undies, maybe mending brassieres to fit better when they begin to stretch over time to give them a second life - a brassiere lift? My mom darns socks and I guess I can ask her how, but that would be something I would liked to have seen in this book. Everyone I know has at least one pair of jeans with a patch slapped on it. But who darns their socks anymore? My mom pretty much from what I know. I cannot imagine too many people can say they know someone well within their 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon that darns socks. Just a thought on a way to save lots of holey socks from the landfills, cause I sure don't donate holey socks, nor do I really know what to do with them other than throw them out. I also think the lack of variety means we are forgetting that a lot of people happily don ripped jeans, or patch them and keep them for years more, but what do I do with a torn work blazer, for example?So, I love the concept behind the creation of the book. I love the heart of the author and the goal to do better as an individual to make the world better for all of us. I love the idea of wasting less, buying less while recycling more and saving more. I love the images and as much as I complain of the simplicity and lack of variation I do still love her art. The author has a lot to say about fashion and it is stuff that should be said and that people should think about. For that - if I were looking for a book about why I should slow my fashion roll - I would give the book 5 stars.As a book on how to actually mend I think I would give this a 3. It does show how to mend some things, it is well-written, it has nice pictures, but there is quite the lack of depth and variety. While the concepts offered could be applied to other items of clothes, I really think more variety would help her cause here and would help the user become more inspired to take a whack and mending their own clothes instead of pitching them. Also, I know that this is touted as a mending book but perhaps - in lieu of an array of mending techniques for a variety of clothing types - a mention of basic alterations to save ill-fitting clothes from the bin or the Goodwill would help, too. Just a thought.In summation, I took my ratings of 5 and 3 and mashed them up to a 4, but I am conflicted on that. I feel bad giving it a 4 because I don't know that I would recommend the book as a resource for mending, but conversely I would feel bad rating it less than a 4 because I think the author has important things to say so... my 4 comes with this caveat:I would recommend this book ONLY to four kinds of people:1. Those who want to learn about slow fashion and why it is important.2. Those who want to make patchwork denim3. Those who have very little sewing skill and want to learn a few basics4. Those who want to support the author for whatever reason that may be - perhaps that they approve of her message of the need for slow fashion movement to catch on, etc.I do not recommend this book as a resource to learn an array of techniques to mend clothes.I hope this helps and best of luck!

This book is essentially the same project repeated over and over, just changing the color of the patch and where it is applied on the garment. There is also no mention of mending knit fabric like sweaters or socks, which seems an oversight for a book of this length. I am returning it.

This book is exactly what I was looking for in Japanese-style visible mending practical tips that are on the more subtle side. Not everyone wants to be walking around in boho colorful patchwork and this avoids all that. On a strictly personal level, I'm getting a little tired of reading the same "artist statements" from the same people over and over again about "slow fashion" and sustainability. I realize there's a clique of people who do this stuff but a little diversity would be nice. That aside, this is a wonderful book.

Pretty set up but another book jumping in & riding on the current trending of Boro, Sashiko & Kantha stitching. Sorry not an impressive book. I Am returning it.

I pre-ordered this book even though I was a bit skeptical ...and being a fan of Boro, Sashiko and Kantha stitching was not sure this would be of interest. I really like this book. I'm a fan of 'art textiles' and even though I've sewn for years I really don't know much about actual mending.....toss the old thing and buy new was my motto. But overtime I've come to my senses and appreciate the act of mending, repair, preserving, making and re-making in creating a world of sustainability....very appealing. The book is well designed, simple and clear instruction, good photography. Each chapter provides a brief introduction, then technique(s), photos a little stitching history and brief 'essay' by contributing artists. I liked that the essays were interesting to read and not what I call "annoying artist art-speak" but rather more like a conversatioin with others who are like-minded. I do have to mention the size of the book.....approx. 7"x9". Such a nice change from the usual 9xll standard. As stitching/mending feels personal so does the size of the book. Personal is nice. So, congratulations to the author, well done!

I'm giving this book a five-star rating for clarity of instructions and beautiful photography. I like the subtle style of the author's projects. I could easily give this to a beginner and they could have successful repairs with it.I also agree with some of the critical reviews that say that the projects seem repetative when taken as a whole and that there's something of the same slow fashion messaging that seems to be a mantra in the slow fashion community. I expected that to some degree, so I didn't find it offputting.I'd been hoping to see a little more detail for things like "how to deal with a bias tear" and when would a more subtle repair possibly better serve your project. There's some of the second, but not enough of the first in my opinion. I would still recommend this book for a novice hand sewer, a beginning repairer, or someone interested in learning the basics of Japanese inspired visible repairs.

I was looking for a boro book which emphasized mending jeans and had good illustrations. This is exactly what I was looking for. I like to buy 'distressed' jeans but if they have holes in the knees they are less practical. It's annoying to have one's foot get stuck in the hole when putting on the jeans. Through the use of boro stitching, the jeans become not only practical but wonderfully decorative. The other nice thing about boro mending is that you don't need to use a sewing machine.

I've been eyeing this book up since it's release - the joys of seeing many sewing bloggers mention it on Instagram! - and am delighted with it.The book is a well designed hardback, small enough to pop in my bag for reading on bus journeys. There is an introduction explaining how the author came to be more sustainable in her clothing choices, and the impact this had on her wardrobe. She has great ethics when it comes to buying clothing, and mending older clothes.There is a chapter on basic slow stitching and design - considering your colour choices for thread and patches before starting on your mending project. Different ways to apply exterior patches, even using patches as design elements (pockets!)... and a chapter on interior patches. This is the technique I'm excited for, using interesting fabrics remnants from my stash and some beautiful stitching to create more unique pieces to wear.A chapter on Sashiko follows - a technique I only learned about earlier this year in fact, so thats a great win for me! - and darning and stitch weaving technique too!When you consider that the author only uses naturally occurring fibres, it makes sense that there are limited numbers of techniques to use. Yet, this allows for greater creativity. In fact, I love the emphasis on creativity. While the author doesn't go into endless detail of different techniques, she covers enough to inspire you to try for yourself.I wasn't expecting an encyclopaedia of different techniques, more a book that would inspire me to mend my own clothing in unique and creative ways - and that is definitely what I got! It will be a favourite of mine for many years I'm sure!

If you already know how to sew, don't bother. It's the same technique over and over, basically whether to patch outside or inside the garment. Wish it had different stitch patterns and such

I thought this was a wonderful book, it shows how being responsible consumer should be a lifestyle not a chore. This book really makes you think don't throw it away.

I bought this to my wife, she told me she liked it. The book is like described at a reasonable price.

Clear, well written with good examples to follow. Inspiring. A very good book for anyone wanting to repair denim in particular. Very pleased.