Mend It Better: Creative Patching, Darning, and Stitching

by Kristin M. Roach

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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sewing, Crafts, Reference, How To, Art

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 31, 2012

Reviews

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have no idea who the intended audience for this book would be--the book's first project is a handmade tote bag, but then the next chapter covers how to thread a needle. There are definitely not enough pictures for explanations, and those that the book does choose to include are often not helpful or look shoddy. (The darning ones, especially. I darned socks for the first time last weekend, lessons courtesy of YouTube, and my darning was significantly neater than these pictures show!) The projects do not always include step-by-step instructions (especially for mending a coat lining), and, more importantly to to this beginner mender, the projects don't seem to be at all practical. Most projects are incredibly cutesy, like they're trying too hard to be precious. I wanted to learn how to mend clothing with a bit of flair or style, not endless iterations of "applique/sew a patch on it!"

Things to remember:
- Soap can be used as a fabric marker.
- Backstitching (pictures and instructions in this book do not explain this well) can be as strong as machine stitching.
- For small holes, you can add a piece of embroidery fabric under the hole and then cross-stitch a design over the hole.

Project I will definitely do: making my own darning egg. (Using a lightbulb works, but this seems much better.) Drill a hole the size of the desired shaker peg into a wooden egg/sphere. Add wood glue to connect the pieces.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never in my life could I have imagined giving a five-star review to a book on mending! I checked this book out of the library because, well, I like to read about World War II on the Homefront, and the blurbs made it sound a lot like "make do and mend", something that HAD to be done in the 40s. What I found was so much more! This book is genius! If Ms. Roach had been alive in the 40s, she would have won any Make-do and Mend competition very handily! Filled with a million ideas and illustrated beautifully, this book is an incredible resource for people in today's down economy. I checked it out of the library, but I think that I need to have a copy of my very own. It would also make a very good gift for anyone who 1) likes to sew, 2) is thrifty or needs to be, 3) is creative 4) is just starting out on their own. I myself can think of half-a-dozen people that I would like to give copies to.

[Brooke Bowlin]

What in the diy Pinterest mom is this?!?! Trash. Gonna be a hater here, but this was not a helpful book. Why are there full blown project instructions before the author teaches you how to thread a needle or what a stitch is? Lol also all the projects are too cutesy and impractical— not really things people are actually doing. And the instructions and adequate project step pics are lacking… rip

[Daphne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could see how this book would be a good reference to have if you already knew how to sew. However I am not sure I would recommend this book to total beginners. I am a beginner and there were not nearly enough pictures to show the techniques she was teaching. Also I thought many of the tutorials were badly written. I had to read several of them several times to figure out what I was supposed to do. I also felt like that the book couldn't decide if it wanted to be a sewing manual or one of those books with cute diy projects. I thought the projects were too cutesy and didn't always reflect what the author was trying to teach. On the positive, it gives a good overview of various mending techniques a person could do and I found out that a lot of mending wasn't that difficult.

[Sarah White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this book by chance at the library and found it a good, basic guide to some of the possibilities of mending. The projects are cute and should give you some ideas for how to creatively mend or alter your own garments.

There are some particular things I wanted to learn that weren't included -- making buttonholes and hemming jeans while preserving the original stitching -- but I know I can find that elsewhere.

The crocheted heel project makes me regret throwing away store-bought socks recently, and seeing all these options inspired me to think more about how to mend items that might seem ready to toss out.

[Irene Adler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really like this book, and it has a lovely hand feel with its slightly puffy cover. I didn't want to return the library copy so much that I ordered a signed copy direct from the author as a treat (no, I don't know her).

Very thoughtful, very sustainable, lots of interesting projects and techniques for re-purposing and saving your favourite things. Don't buy those faux worn / patched jeans, keep it real and extend the life of your best fitting pair forever instead.

Excellent questions in the 'To Mend or Not to Mend' pages, including mending before donating if you have the skill to make the donation more valuable. Such a nice idea.

Lovely images as well.

[Laina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a mixture of too-much-information and not-enough-information. The projects take valuable space away from more in-depth coverage of techniques that would make this a more comprehensive reference book for a utilitarian rather than fashion mender. I personally liked the tips for making fabric-covered buttons and cross-stitching over aida for a patch. It also helped me overcome my disdain of fabric glue. I guess if the professionals do it this way it's ok for me to use it too.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book -- if you're wanting to fix your child's clothes, this book has done ingenious tips and tricks to make fixes look like decoration.

It also has some useful sections on zippers, beading, and the like. It's inspired me to make my own pressing ham, but I really don't think newspaper stuffing is going to cut it--you can see how loosely stuffed it is in the photo. So I'm off to find some sawdust instead, like what's in my mother's sewing ham.

[Ligaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty good book on mending tools and techniques but it does require some knowledge of sewing. There are a lot of photographs and interesting projects but many of the pictures of the mending techniques are teeny and hard to discern what's really going on, so that's frustrating. But happily, I did learn some new stuff even though I first learned to sew almost 50 years ago!

[reading is my hustle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The darning section of this book has the most AMAZING project for darning socks by crocheting the holes in heels/toes. It also has great ideas for DIY cloth patches, hand stitches, stain solutions, seam fixes, and so on.

Yep, mending as devotion. LOVE IT.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great techniques and ideas. Already lent to friend.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a lot of really creative ideas for patching up your overly worn clothes. Kristin also has a great blog at craftleftovers.com.

[LG · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 stars - didn't learn anything new
3 stars - learned something

Didn't learn much, but gave me a useful idea for adding buttons.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why I Read the Book: I do a fair amount of mending at work, and I need all the help I can get.
Format: Hardcover; borrowed from Irondequiot Public Library.
Synopsis: The title, Mend It Better, says it all. If you rip, tear, shred, break, or otherwise damage your favorite coat, tote bag, purse or other clothing, this book can probably help you fix it.

What I Thought: I have 2 complaints with this book. Otherwise, it's totally awesome! The author covers every type of mending I have ever worked on, and more. I consider myself an advanced sewer; I do a fair amount of mending for myself, as well as at work. I often have to get creative with the mending, and this book takes it to a completely different creative level. Mend It Better is now on my Christmas wish list; if no one gets it for me, I will be purchasing it myself.

Complaints: 1) The book starts off with "The Evolution of Sewing". The first few paragraphs are random speculation about what sewing was like in prehistoric times. It then jumps to actual historical facts about sewing. Given that the rest of the book was great, I am willing to overlook it. However, a prehistoric evolutionary is not something I expect to find in a book about mending modern day clothes, and it is not compatible with my Biblical Christian worldview.

2) There are instructions on how to make a tailor's ham. For those who don't know what a tailor's ham is, it's shaped like a ham and is used for ironing curved seams like shoulders and sleeves. The author instructs you to stuff the ham with shredded paper. This seems very impractical, since steam is usually involved with ironing, and steam would make the paper wet, causing it to disintegrate, and possibly mold. Additionally, I believe tailor's hams are traditionally stuffed with sawdust.

The Bottom Line: My 2 complaints aside, I would recommend Mend It Better to anyone who mends (or wants to mend) their own (or others) clothes. This would also be great gift to include with a sewing or mending kit/basket, for a beginning or even a more experienced sewer. In short, I think this book should be on every sewers' bookshelf.

[Lisbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars rounded up.

Includes a short section on the history of sewing and clothes manufacturing, so I geeked out over that.

Chapters at the beginning of the book include primers on tools and stitches. I think most of the projects are doable and easily adaptable. For me, this was more of an inspirational book than a how-to, and I can imagine that novices might need more detailed instructions than some of the projects provide.

Overall, a nice read for anyone who’s not a fan of fast fashion, and save money and resources by extending the life of their clothes.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Describes many different kinds of stitches and different ways of patching up clothing. I’m not sure the description was enough for the things I’ve never done, but there were lots of pictures, and it would give me the terminology I need to look things up online. I liked the decorative ways of dealing with stains and holes.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a seasoned sewer , this book is beneath you. If you are a beginner, it may be baffling in many parts. Get an accomplished sewer to help you interpret the directions and diagrams.
3 stars is a bit generous. Glad I borrowed this from the library, so I can take it back.
It isn’t terrible, it just isn’t very good.

[Lindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of mending techniques, tools needed, and how to decide -- visible or invisible. Lots of different contributors, so everything doesn't look the same, and there are projects too. Good for beginners.

[grim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid book on a variety of mending projects! Some things I was hoping for in this book weren't there, but overall a great book for guidance and inspiration. Not the most remarkable mending book but far from useless.

[Kjirstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for repairing clothes that have seen damage. Basic techniques, not as much of the decorative stuff as I'd originally hoped, but still good info.

[Reading Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really useful handbook of all the ways one can think to mend stuff, in a very approachable format.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I borrowed this from the library. Lots of good ideas in here. My fave is Cal Patch's crochet darning method. I can't wait to try it out!

[Judi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book illustrating multiple ways to mend/repair clothing. Picked up some excellent new skill ideas - and a couple of craft ideas. Fun!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little beginner’s book with some useful information about mending/repairing zippers and dealing with stains.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this on my ereader then bought a hard copy for my grand daughter. It’s simple yet informative and a good reference book for her

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I didn't have access to my local public library, I would have missed this gem. There are so many projects I want to try. Its been very helpful for my hand stitching.

[Juli Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too cutesy for my taste, and the directions are often difficult to follow and incomplete.

[Bettina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of all the mending books I’ve read so far, this is the most concise & informative book I’ve found.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting mix of mending techniques and other sewing tips.

The patchwork technique to make a skirt longer is great.

[Shala Kerrigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 stores and garage sales and being able to mend it into something for your wardrobe. Mending is one of the most ecologically sound choices you can make.

It's well thought out, and the instructions are clear enough for beginners. Even experienced sewers may find new things in this volume. There are instructions for doing mending that's meant not to be noticeable, but also ideas for turning your mending into a way to decorate your clothing and make it uniquely your own.

She starts by offering suggestions for when you should mend and when something should just become scrap fabric or rags. Then explains the basic tools you'll want in your mending kit. Then she gets into instruction.

A lot of the mending techniques she suggests are things that can be done by hand. As someone who likes sewing by hand in the evening while watching television with my family, I love her stitch suggestions and mending instructions for doing it by hand. She also talks about machine mending and hemming as well. She explains different stitches well.

The photographs for the mended projects show the new stitches in contrasting colors so it's easy to see how things are done.

The chapters are laid out by types of mending, patches, surface fixes (like snagged threads), seam fixes, straight hems, fixing waist bands of different types including the kind with sewn in place elastic, how to darn a patch and more intriguingly, how to crochet a patch for socks and other knits, fasteners and closures, zippers and the final chapter is decorative accents.

There are some sewing projects in the book, like how to make a mending tool kit, and how to make a mini clutch kit to keep in your office or car.

My favorite mending techniques in the book use shapes and decorative fabrics, colors and stitches to turn a hole into a design feature.

My daughter is wild for this book. She does all her own mending, as well as a lot of the mending for her older brother.

Solid techniques and instruction make this a wonderful book for people who are interested in extending the life of their clothes, and a good gift for people just starting out on their own.
[I received a complimentary copy of the book to review on my craft blog- Don't Eat the Paste. My reviews are always my honest opinion]