“Visible Mending”: 50 Times Folks Didn’t Give Up On Their Favorite Things And Made Them Even Better (New Pics)

The massive fashion industry shows no signs of slowing down, with clothing production exceeding the actual needs of consumers. It appears that the power to effect change is in our hands, and we should begin with small steps, such as finding ways to minimize the quantity of clothing we purchase. It's essential to resist the allure of tempting offers that encourage acquiring new items at a low cost, even when there's no real need for them.

Why buy new, if very often a small repair is enough to extend the lifetime of our favorite piece of clothing? This seems to be the main motto of Ekaterina Haak, who finds mending solutions for herself and her clients. We have asked her to share with us the inspiration behind starting her profile and her journey into the world of visible mending. We found out that: “Fresh out of communication design studies, with a focus on illustration, I was inspired by the embroidery work I had seen online. The idea of creating art with threads fascinated me, even though I had neither prior experience nor embroidery tools.”

The artist continued: “I ventured into embroidery and decided to experiment by stitching on my own stained t-shirts first. I figured they were already damaged, so I couldn't make them any worse. What can I say? I fell in love with the slow, meditative process. Replacing those stains with tiny cherries and avocados, for instance, transformed what was once a blemish into something delightful. I began sharing my journey on social media, and it wasn't until later that I discovered the term for this art form - visible mending.

Gradually, I started exploring various mending techniques, mending not only my own clothes but everything around the house. The practice extended to include my family, friends, and beyond, driven by the growing demand. Ultimately, it inspired me to establish a mending business.”

Next, we wanted to know what Ekaterina believes the key benefits of visible mending are, both from a creative and sustainability perspective. Haak explained: “Visible mending has revolutionized my perspective on both creativity and sustainability. At the outset, I was unaware of the potential to revive cherished yet damaged clothing. Mending wasn't a tradition in my family, which made this realization both enlightening and tinged with regret for the beloved garments I had discarded in ignorance.

One of the key benefits of visible mending is its forgiving nature. When dealing with traditional mending techniques aimed at, for example, making moth-eaten holes disappear invisibly, it often demands a high level of skill, extensive experience, and access to specialized yarn or materials. Achieving seamless, invisible repairs can be a daunting task, even for seasoned crafters!

In contrast, visible mending presents a refreshing and accessible alternative, open to everyone willing to pick up a needle and thread. This accessibility makes visible mending not only an environmentally conscious choice but also a truly joyful and fulfilling one.”