I have always been a patcher. As a teenager I had jeans that, over the years became more of a mosaic of fabric patches then actual jeans. First I patched every hole that wore through the denim, then I patched every hole that wore through the patches.
To me it was an act of love, comfort and salvation. To my dear mother, it was an embarrassment, as she was more then eager to buy me new. But, for whatever reason, I have always found patched cloth to be extra special, (which is probably why I have added patches to so many of my quilts).
Noticing that I had some clothes that had been waiting for some mending a bit longer then I had planned, I decided to make amends with them by creating some extra special handwoven patches.
I began by weaving a length of fabric in different colors from 80/2 cotton yarn, set at 20 ends per inch. It was then washed, dried and pressed, before cutting the sections apart, and backing them each with a complimentary cotton fabric. Then I stitched me up a bunch of patches.
And now, some clothes are off the mending pile, which is always a good feeling!
I made enough patches for me and my needs, along with some extras to put in the shop, where they can be found here.
PATCH
/paCH/
Noun: A piece of cloth or other material used to mend or strengthen a torn or weak point.
Verb: Mend or strengthen (fabric or an item of clothing) by putting a piece of material over a hole or weak point in it.
xo
13 comments:
Great idea! As all your works.
A quote I often repeat which I originally read on annekata's blog: "mending is an act of rebellion against consumerism." and as much as it may have pained your mum, what you were doing is something that I wish far more people in our wasteful culture did, rather than just chucking perfectly useable stuff into landfill. Lovely patches!
I'm LOV'N it too!!! You've elevated patching!
Gorgeous!
My girls are constantly needing patching, but I'm not sure what to do about patching on knits. And my oldest wants a pair of tights mended. I did not learn darning skills...
Your patches are fabulous!
These look so inviting--great idea, I agree! I love patches too :) Deborah
In Japan they call this Boro cloth
you can see more about it over at Nat's blog. However, when she traveled in Japan wearing her boro vest everyone assumed she was very poor.
I loved my patched and embroidered jeans back in the 60's, cutting apart jeans and making them into skirts all worn with my ankle boots. Of course this was not allowed in school at that time, only skirts with "stockings" were part of the dress code.
Happy Sewing, I enjoy seeing your inventive ideas
I am in awe of your weaving, having never done any myself. Your patches look great on your clothes. I think you're really on to something. A timely trend, I hope.
I love patches also and I love this idea!
Such beautiful patches, I'm sure people will use them as mats. I have my school needlework file with detailed notes and examples of the different type of patches we were taught(more utilitarian than yours!!)
A thing of beauty, such a wonderful idea. And, here in the UK at least, there seems to be a fashion for elbow patches at the moment...check out this rather glitzy affairsparkly elbow patches More of a fashion statement than 'needs must' or thrift! I know which I'd rather wear - yours are just perfect :)
Stephie x
I love patching things and mending! I have fun doing that on my kids' clothes where a bit of silliness looks great. Your patches are beautiful.
These are the prettiest patches ever!
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