Lovingly refashioned! Having old clothes that you don’t wear is like having an additional stash of fabric for sewing!
Has your time in lockdown made you think about what really matters? If you’ve spent time going through your wardrobe and thought to yourself I would wear that if only it had sleeves, it was longer or it didn’t have a rip? Now is the time to refashion or make do and mend! The Make Do and Mend movement was intended to provide housewives, during World War 2, with useful tips on how to be frugal and stylish in times of rationing. With its thrifty ideas on reusing old clothing, the leaflet became an indispensable guide, while people couldn't buy new things (sound familiar?).
Should I mend it? Ask yourself a few questions and be honest with your answers; ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Do you love the garment? How long will it take to fix? Have I got what I need to mend it? Is the rest of the garment in good condition?
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ON THE MEND!
One idea for repairing is visible mending. This has become a really popular trend and is easy to do on small areas that need a little tlc such as a tear or stain. Hand stitching is perfect for repairing wear and tear on denim. All you need is a thick embroidery needle and some embroidery floss or Sashiko thread. Basic stitches like running stitch, whipstitch and blind hemstitch are ideal.
Hand stitching is associated with the release of serotonin in the brain so it makes you feel good too!
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RE-PURPOSE Use your sewing skills to turn an old garment into something new. 2 ways to utilise old clothes: ♥ Refashion the garment with a few alterations like shortening the sleeves, adding a belt or changing the neckline. ♥ Use the fabric to cut out a pattern to make a new garment. Men’s shirts are a great source of cotton fabric. www.thepatternpages.com
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