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Darning: Repair Make Mend
Climate and economic change is making many of us rethink the ways we use resources by reusing and repairing our clothes, which has become a mark of pride and style. This is visible mending, more akin to embroidery and embellishment. It makes your favorite clothing even more personal and saves it from landfill. • Fully illustrated with color photography throughout
• Detailed, step-by-step images
• Easy to follow techniques―even for beginners
• Plenty of inspiration for adventurous menders Twelve darning Techniques are covered in detail with step-by-step instructions Seed stitch, square darning, Reversible darns, Seed and square darn, Triangular darns, English darning, Accordion darning, Appliqué, Reverse appliqué, Chain darning, Honeycomb Darning and the decorative Tambourine darning. Ten chapters cover mending sweaters, shirts, denim, items in the home as well as accessories, such as scarves and bags. This is the first English edition of the cult darning book by Hikaru Noguchi, who has become the guru of visible darning in Japan. This detailed, step-by-step guide makes the methods easy to follow, even for non-sewers. The stylish photography highlights the artistic and minimalist style of the designer’s work.
• Detailed, step-by-step images
• Easy to follow techniques―even for beginners
• Plenty of inspiration for adventurous menders Twelve darning Techniques are covered in detail with step-by-step instructions Seed stitch, square darning, Reversible darns, Seed and square darn, Triangular darns, English darning, Accordion darning, Appliqué, Reverse appliqué, Chain darning, Honeycomb Darning and the decorative Tambourine darning. Ten chapters cover mending sweaters, shirts, denim, items in the home as well as accessories, such as scarves and bags. This is the first English edition of the cult darning book by Hikaru Noguchi, who has become the guru of visible darning in Japan. This detailed, step-by-step guide makes the methods easy to follow, even for non-sewers. The stylish photography highlights the artistic and minimalist style of the designer’s work.
96 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2020
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178 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 29, 2021
I honestly hate shopping for new clothes. I'm very picky about what I like and, I can't exactly tell you why, but in the back of my mind it feels like there's something deeply impersonal about wearing a piece of clothing that has no signs of having been well-loved. So, if ever I feel the need to expand my wardrobe I go straight to the thrift store.
Now, I can't count the amount of times I've found something beautiful and just my style, then pulled it off the rack for a closer look only to see why it might've been put there in the first place: holes, stains, thinning material, frayed edges, you name it. What an immeasurably sucky feeling it is to have to put it back; a pain akin to that of star-crossed lovers, I dare say.
As I said, I'm very picky, so picky in fact, that I took up sewing my own garments as a new quarantine hobby. As a result, some months after, I was introduced to the concept of darning and how it can cleverly fix every one of those issues and more! Needless to say, I dove in headfirst at the library.
As fate would have it, this was literally the only book my library system has on the topic and, honestly, I feel like it's the only one it needs because this is a wonderfully thorough step-by-step walkthrough of the various supplies, techniques, and patterns you can use, along with specifics such as what fabric and issue each one best serves to repair just about any piece you love enough to make last years to come.
As this was the only book available, and I'm not much of an e-reader, I used this as the sole source of research for my first darning project. Admittedly, I did seem to bite off more than I could chew with how big a hole I was repairing, however I poured through every page of the book, felt deeply inspired by the gorgeously cozy and quirky alterations it displayed, then powered through and now my boyfriend's favorite sweatpants no longer have a gaping hole in the crotch AND the weave actually looks really appealing - well, as appealing as a crotch can be, I suppose.
Thanks to this book, I'll almost never need to toss away another wardrobe favorite or put another well-loved piece back on the rack!
Now, I can't count the amount of times I've found something beautiful and just my style, then pulled it off the rack for a closer look only to see why it might've been put there in the first place: holes, stains, thinning material, frayed edges, you name it. What an immeasurably sucky feeling it is to have to put it back; a pain akin to that of star-crossed lovers, I dare say.
As I said, I'm very picky, so picky in fact, that I took up sewing my own garments as a new quarantine hobby. As a result, some months after, I was introduced to the concept of darning and how it can cleverly fix every one of those issues and more! Needless to say, I dove in headfirst at the library.
As fate would have it, this was literally the only book my library system has on the topic and, honestly, I feel like it's the only one it needs because this is a wonderfully thorough step-by-step walkthrough of the various supplies, techniques, and patterns you can use, along with specifics such as what fabric and issue each one best serves to repair just about any piece you love enough to make last years to come.
As this was the only book available, and I'm not much of an e-reader, I used this as the sole source of research for my first darning project. Admittedly, I did seem to bite off more than I could chew with how big a hole I was repairing, however I poured through every page of the book, felt deeply inspired by the gorgeously cozy and quirky alterations it displayed, then powered through and now my boyfriend's favorite sweatpants no longer have a gaping hole in the crotch AND the weave actually looks really appealing - well, as appealing as a crotch can be, I suppose.
Thanks to this book, I'll almost never need to toss away another wardrobe favorite or put another well-loved piece back on the rack!
January 15, 2021
This was exactly the book I wanted. Clear explanations of each darning style and what it’s best for, alongside beautiful images of the garments before and after. A little history, a little about tools and materials then a description and beautiful photography of around 10 different darning techniques. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to try their hand at visible mending.
April 21, 2025
obsessed
March 18, 2023
This is a good resource for the limited number of techniques it covers, but her newer book Creative Mending is more comprehensive and has more beautiful and diverse examples. This one is not available as an ebook, either. The only things in this book that are not covered in the other book: chain stitch darning in a spiral (though the other book does teach chain stitch), and the author’s personal journey into darning as a result of British influences and living abroad.
June 19, 2020
I am so excited about trying this. She gives you permission, too, to sort of make your own way, to work with her instructions and ideas, but to figure out your own way as well. There isn't really a wrong way, I think. I hope.
November 5, 2022
a very feel-good book about mending. it felt very sweet to read, and you could tell it was created with a lot of love for the art.
a few of the instructions were incorrect - one item had the steps swapped around, another had the same step twice under different photos - which would be confusing for a beginner. I was a little disappointed that one of the missing instructions was for the french knot method of finishing ends - I hadnt seen that before, and would have liked to read the method! most instructions were very clear though, and the how-to graphics at the bottom of the pages were very clear and helpful.
a lot of the methods in this book aren’t for me, but I did learn better ways of doing the darning techniques that I do enjoy, and understood why mine didnt look the same as others.
I wish there had been more discussion of thread/yarn types and their properties that make them more suitable for certain darns.
I would enjoy owning this book just to flick through it and look at the pictures for inspiration, but not enough to actively seek it out. I’m glad I borrowed it from the library and enjoyed reading it, but I’m going to take the techniques I liked from it and explore them in my own way.
a few of the instructions were incorrect - one item had the steps swapped around, another had the same step twice under different photos - which would be confusing for a beginner. I was a little disappointed that one of the missing instructions was for the french knot method of finishing ends - I hadnt seen that before, and would have liked to read the method! most instructions were very clear though, and the how-to graphics at the bottom of the pages were very clear and helpful.
a lot of the methods in this book aren’t for me, but I did learn better ways of doing the darning techniques that I do enjoy, and understood why mine didnt look the same as others.
I wish there had been more discussion of thread/yarn types and their properties that make them more suitable for certain darns.
I would enjoy owning this book just to flick through it and look at the pictures for inspiration, but not enough to actively seek it out. I’m glad I borrowed it from the library and enjoyed reading it, but I’m going to take the techniques I liked from it and explore them in my own way.
February 13, 2021
I’m happy I borrowed this book. It’s very nicely written, has nice pictures, nice projects... It’s just not for me, I don’t like this technique. I just don’t understand why people are learning how to mend things this way, if you can also learn how to repair clothes invisibly. But happy I finally learned more about it.
October 24, 2020
A delicious book of visible mends, understandably a cult classic.
Well illustrated (photograph) instructions for darns, mends, threads and equipment.
Many photogrpahs of darns and mends on all types of clothing and some soft furnishings to inspire you.
Well illustrated (photograph) instructions for darns, mends, threads and equipment.
Many photogrpahs of darns and mends on all types of clothing and some soft furnishings to inspire you.
October 27, 2020
A good introduction to darning, providing detailed instructions for several techniques and explaining when to use them. Contains photos for each step and tons of examples of completed work!
I would have liked some more detail on selecting thread or yarn.
I would have liked some more detail on selecting thread or yarn.
December 20, 2020
A book about mending your clothes and doing it in a visible way.
May 6, 2021
Fantastic book. Exactly what I was looking for. Really great step by step instructions with images demonstrating multiple techniques on multiple garment types and a variety of fabrics. Very helpful!
February 26, 2022
After taking Hikaru's workshop, I loved reading her book and hearing her voice through her instructions and stories. Her work is so beautiful!
August 11, 2022
Beautiful.
December 1, 2021
A really useful overview of several darning methods. Very clear photos. One of the better I've seen in that regard. Fewer projects and more instruction.
February 2, 2020
I really like this book! It's got great illustrations, and amazing ideas. If I had a criticism, I would say that I wish it had historical examples of darning, and different cultural traditions of darning, but it's a great start. If you want to learn to darn, or if your darning is getting stale, it's a great source, both of ideas and techniques.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews