Don’t hide that patch, make it a bold, beautiful embellishment! Repair holes with bright thread and a creative darning stitch; revive a stained shirt with fun embroidery! In Mend It Better, popular craft blogger Kristin M. Roach puts a new spin on mending by adapting traditional techniques for today’s crafty sewers. With detailed photography to show each step, she teaches a wide range of patching, darning, and repair stitches using both hand and machine sewing. The how-to text is accompanied by dozens of inspiring examples from Kristin’s own work and that of other craft bloggers and artisans. You'll love the innovative solutions using appliqués, patches, brightly colored accents, and intricate lace details. With Mend It Better, every garment and fabric repair is a chance for self-expression and fabulous creations.
Mend It Better: Creative Patching, Darning, and Stitching
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Mending is one of the more unglamorous handwork tasks — many consider repairing holes in garments to be drudgery. Craft blogger Roach aims to change that view with her first book, a collection of instructions and simple projects intended to make mending fun. The projects have a definite "hipster handmade" feel, but the instructions, which include everything from sewing on buttons and repairing zippers to repairing snags and pulls in knitwear, are useful to a variety of audiences. VERDICT This is a clever take on a subject that, while commonplace, is not covered in most sewing books. (Library Journal )
Craft blogger Roach's first book is an excellent addition to any sewer's collection. Instead of presenting another plethora of patterns, she seeks to empower her readers by teaching the skills they'll need to mend nearly any piece of clothing, from ripped buttonholes to torn hems. While there's no substitute for learning in person, the publisher and author should be commended on creating a book with excellent, clear photographs that show, step by step, how to complete basic repairs. The chapter Stitch Smarts, which covers everything from the blind hem stitch to the little-known prick stitch, is particularly outstanding. Roach also presents a few patterns, most from other crafters, that provide inspiration towards more mending, less discarding of torn clothing. With the exception of the odd placement of two projects before instructions on the stitches required to make them, the book unfolds in an accessible manner; great layout (and lovely photos) provide eye candy. This is the rare sewing book that will be pulled off the shelf for reference again and again. Full color photos and illustrations, 13 patterns. (Publishers Weekly )
Craft blogger Roach's first book is an excellent addition to any sewer's collection. Instead of presenting another plethora of patterns, she seeks to empower her readers by teaching the skills they'll need to mend nearly any piece of clothing, from ripped buttonholes to torn hems. While there's no substitute for learning in person, the publisher and author should be commended on creating a book with excellent, clear photographs that show, step by step, how to complete basic repairs. The chapter Stitch Smarts, which covers everything from the blind hem stitch to the little-known prick stitch, is particularly outstanding. Roach also presents a few patterns, most from other crafters, that provide inspiration towards more mending, less discarding of torn clothing. With the exception of the odd placement of two projects before instructions on the stitches required to make them, the book unfolds in an accessible manner; great layout (and lovely photos) provide eye candy. This is the rare sewing book that will be pulled off the shelf for reference again and again. Full color photos and illustrations, 13 patterns. (Publishers Weekly )
Review
“Kudos to Kristin Roach and her contributors for making mending cool. This book offers just the right mix of practical instruction and creative inspiration to motivate readers to repair their well-worn, favorite garments. Let's stitch!” (Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood, CraftSanity )
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More About the Author
Kristin M. Roach graduated with a BFA in painting in 2008 and is currently teaching art classes, organizing community art programs, and inspiring others to live life creatively with her websites CraftLeftovers.com and Kristinmroach.com. She has been published in Interweave Knits, KnitScene, Craft, Make, and was a contributing designer in Button it Up by Susan Beal. Her work will be included in the upcoming Best of Knitscene book.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I always wanted to get into stitching and fabric work but had no clue where to start. I didn't know a French knot from a garlic knot, so I was totally lost. Roach's book really lays the groundwork for people who have no idea what they're getting into. I don't need a book that shows me how to spin a shirt out of a curtain, Scarlet O'Hara style, but I'm pretty sure I could if I wanted to with some of the tricks I picked up (I've since spotted a couple of drapes that would really lend themselves well to my wardrobe). With all the money I'll save on doing my own clothing repairs, I can just buy myself some new curtains - win/win!
But seriously, good stuff between the covers of this book. And a pretty good read in its own right. If you ever had a hole in the crotch of your favorite jeans and hated the idea of breaking in a new pair (we've all been there, amirite?), pick up a copy.
But seriously, good stuff between the covers of this book. And a pretty good read in its own right. If you ever had a hole in the crotch of your favorite jeans and hated the idea of breaking in a new pair (we've all been there, amirite?), pick up a copy.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book gives step-by step instructions for the most common mending techniques, such as darning, patching, hemming, and replacing buttons. Both hand and machine mending are discussed. Beginners will like it because it starts from the absolute basics, including how to thread a needle. It's a cheerful little book full of color photos (and oddly, it has padded covers). However, sewists who already have some knowledge of these techniques, or possess any of the standard sewing manuals listed in the bibliography, or even a 1940s mending pamphlet, will not find this book a useful addition to their libraries. There are no innovative techniques or projects in here. Furthermore, this book glosses over the reality of vintage and well-worn clothing, which is that the fabric is inherently weaker than new fabric. For example, one project shows a vintage dress with both the sleeve and the bodice horribly ripped at the right underarm. The writer breezily says she just sewed up the many tears and the dress was fine. However, an underarm area is subject to considerable strain. Probably the tears will all replace themselves after one or two wearings. The sensible solution would have been to turn it into a sleeveless dress, or to replace the bodice with another thrift-shop bodice or blouse (a technique somewhat more advanced than this book).
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I borrowed this book initially from my local library, as I do with all books that I have an interest in. Not all of the books I borrow make it into my personal library, but this one will. I am a self taught crafty person and I make all kinds of things from clothes to toys, but I never really thought much about mending my clothes. With a copy of 'Mend It Better' on my shelf, I will have not only the ability, but the knowledge to repair clothes that in the past would have been sent to the upcycle pile. Not only did I walk away from this book with a better understanding of mending and repairing an assortment of items, the beautiful pictures inspired all sorts of crafty thoughts to swirl through my mind!
Can't wait to get my own copy of 'Mend It Better' so I can start making notes of all the ideas it creates!
Can't wait to get my own copy of 'Mend It Better' so I can start making notes of all the ideas it creates!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Everyone ought to learn to mend!
It's a great book for fixing your clothes! Creative fixes for rips or stains & just mending. Basic fixes to more complicated ones.
Published 13 days ago by Karen
5.0 out of 5 stars
very inspiring!
I have four kids, so often have a pile of clothes in need of repair. Since I sew lots of their clothes myself, I'm inclined to repair rather than replace, but I'm not much of a... Read more
Published 18 days ago by earthymama
5.0 out of 5 stars
Greatly Inspirational! A must-have for textile junkies!
I borrowed this book from my local public library, and loved it so much I decided I should buy it and add it to my personal textile library. Read more
Published 23 days ago by Susan L. Grande
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very handy reference and new ideas
I'm very happy with the contents of this book. It's geared for someone who doesn't sew or sew much, which is perfect for me. Read more
Published 6 months ago by 14T
5.0 out of 5 stars
Witty & creative Introduction
The idea of mending items had pretty much gone out of style. While people growing up during the Depression were used to repairing stuff to make things last, the prosperity that has... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Janet Perry
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unique and inspiring
This book takes a really old-school concept -- mending and patching -- and makes it so fresh and appealing. I really loved all the ideas, and it's just a fun read as well. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Josie X. March
5.0 out of 5 stars
Every household should have a copy
This sweet, practical guide to extending the life of your clothing, as well as customizing thrift store finds and learning how to make a garment work for you, has become a valued... Read more
Published 12 months ago by J. kingman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational!
What a neat book! Filled with the basics and beyond, Mend it Better is a toolbox for anyone who's hesitated to get rid of something previously loved just because it's stained, has... Read more
Published 13 months ago by rebecca moe
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lives up to it's title and my daughter loves it.
Mend It Better: Creative Patching, Darning and Stitching by Kristen Roach is a wonderful resource for mending clothing to keep it wearable, or for buying clothing from thrift... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Shala Kerrigan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for anyone with kids or holes in their clothes!
I have two young children and the knees in their pants all have holes in them half way through the school year. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Heather F.
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