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Make Thrift Mend: Stitch, Patch, Darn, Plant-Dye & Love Your Wardrobe
Slow fashion expert Katrina Rodabaugh, bestselling author of Mending Matters, teaches readers how to mend, patch, dye, and tailor clothing for an environmentally conscious, reinvented wardrobe
Slow fashion influencer Katrina Rodabaugh follows her bestselling book, Mending Matters, with a comprehensive guide to building (and keeping) a wardrobe that matters. Whether you want to repair your go-to jeans, refresh a favorite garment, thrift-shop like a pro, or dye, tailor, and reinvent clothing you already have—this book has all the know-how you’ll need. Woven throughout are stories, essays, and a slow fashion call-to-action, encouraging readers to get involved or deepen their commitment to changing the destructive habit of overconsumption. Rodabaugh has an engaged fan group (her kits and classes routinely sell out the first day) and a proven ability to tempt sewists and nonsewists alike to take up needle and thread.
Slow fashion influencer Katrina Rodabaugh follows her bestselling book, Mending Matters, with a comprehensive guide to building (and keeping) a wardrobe that matters. Whether you want to repair your go-to jeans, refresh a favorite garment, thrift-shop like a pro, or dye, tailor, and reinvent clothing you already have—this book has all the know-how you’ll need. Woven throughout are stories, essays, and a slow fashion call-to-action, encouraging readers to get involved or deepen their commitment to changing the destructive habit of overconsumption. Rodabaugh has an engaged fan group (her kits and classes routinely sell out the first day) and a proven ability to tempt sewists and nonsewists alike to take up needle and thread.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published April 20, 2021
62 people are currently reading
631 people want to read
About the author
Katrina Rodabaugh
5 books32 followersKatrina Rodabaugh is an artist, writer, and crafter working across disciplines to explore environmental and social issues through traditional craft techniques. Her artwork, writing, and designs have appeared in various galleries, magazines, theaters, craft fairs, and alternative art venues. She's received artist awards from the Vermont Studio Center, Zellerbach Family Foundation, Puffin Foundation, Creative Capacity Fund and her blog won the Country Living Blue Ribbon Blogger Award. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Mills College where she trained and taught in the Book Arts Studio. She currently lives in Oakland, CA with her husband, son, and urban garden.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
April 30, 2021
I'm a big fan of Visible Mending and taking ourselves out of the Fast Fashion pipeline, but this book seems to be more about the aesthetic of such things, than the practicality and usefulness. Much like Mending Matters (the author's previous book), this book is full of filler material that spends way too much time navel gazing.
The "Make" in the title boils down to adding patch pockets (with an essay about how embroidering a very simple leaf on the pocket "connects us with nature"), adding small details to patterns that are NOT part of the book (it is indicated what pattern they used, but starting with "choose a pattern with linings or facings to which you can add stitches" presumes A LOT), and a vauge "use a tablecloth to make this shirt!" And most of the embroidery is on the inside! So the example pictures didn't even show the embroidery. The reasoning for this is very new-agey ("lined with moon power" and "a remedy in my pocket") but wouldn't some little moon motifs on the neckline of a dress be more lovely on the outside?
The second portion of the book "Thrift" should be called "Dye", because it is all about using natural dyes to dye thrifted clothes. There are no pointers on effective thrifting, where to find thrift stores, or what to do with clothes after you have thrifted them. Then again, if that had been included it would have added 30 pages of unecessary text about "feeling the history of the clothes" and "communing with past owners", so probaby best that it is a bait and switch. However, better and more useful books about using natural dyes have been written, and they were not as unecssaritly repetative. Also, the section is parsed out into projects, making the application more difficult. There isn't a chart for "these natural dyes work better on this fabric" or any guidance on choosing natural dyes for what might be available in your area. I do appreciate the somewhat buried note that you should make sure you aren't over harvesting or taking a plant that is culturally significant to a minority group.
Finally the "Mend" portion. It contains some actually good and helpful information, with good pictures and clear instructions. If this were the totality of the book, a slim less-than-50-page handbook, it would be a great guide to keep in your sewing kit. But as less than a 1/4 of a bulky hardcover, tucked at the end, it is just not worth the shelf space. It is why this gets two stars rather than one though.
At the end of the day this feels like a book written by someone with nothing new to say. Most of the information contained is better presented in other books, without all the extra fluff. Or even available online!
The "Make" in the title boils down to adding patch pockets (with an essay about how embroidering a very simple leaf on the pocket "connects us with nature"), adding small details to patterns that are NOT part of the book (it is indicated what pattern they used, but starting with "choose a pattern with linings or facings to which you can add stitches" presumes A LOT), and a vauge "use a tablecloth to make this shirt!" And most of the embroidery is on the inside! So the example pictures didn't even show the embroidery. The reasoning for this is very new-agey ("lined with moon power" and "a remedy in my pocket") but wouldn't some little moon motifs on the neckline of a dress be more lovely on the outside?
The second portion of the book "Thrift" should be called "Dye", because it is all about using natural dyes to dye thrifted clothes. There are no pointers on effective thrifting, where to find thrift stores, or what to do with clothes after you have thrifted them. Then again, if that had been included it would have added 30 pages of unecessary text about "feeling the history of the clothes" and "communing with past owners", so probaby best that it is a bait and switch. However, better and more useful books about using natural dyes have been written, and they were not as unecssaritly repetative. Also, the section is parsed out into projects, making the application more difficult. There isn't a chart for "these natural dyes work better on this fabric" or any guidance on choosing natural dyes for what might be available in your area. I do appreciate the somewhat buried note that you should make sure you aren't over harvesting or taking a plant that is culturally significant to a minority group.
Finally the "Mend" portion. It contains some actually good and helpful information, with good pictures and clear instructions. If this were the totality of the book, a slim less-than-50-page handbook, it would be a great guide to keep in your sewing kit. But as less than a 1/4 of a bulky hardcover, tucked at the end, it is just not worth the shelf space. It is why this gets two stars rather than one though.
At the end of the day this feels like a book written by someone with nothing new to say. Most of the information contained is better presented in other books, without all the extra fluff. Or even available online!
April 30, 2021
I have been reading all of these new mending books, and FINALLY found one with clear instructions for fixing the tear in the crotch of my favorite jeans in an inconspicuous and sturdy way. I'm thrilled. Also, in addition to providing different mending tips, this book features project ideas, reflections about fiber arts and sustainability, and ideas for dyeing fabric. I'm not interested in dyeing, especially after all of the disclaimers about how toxic the materials can be, but someone who wants to dye clothes will find the detailed instructions and photographs very helpful.
September 11, 2022
My first escort in the journey to mend the clothing I own rather than buying more second hand (I don't buy new anymore). I don't think I'll ever make my own but it was still interesting to see her process.
January 13, 2023
Makes me wanna thrift reaaal bad *spoken in a Jennifer Coolidge voice*
April 11, 2022
The thing I love most about this book is the way it feels. I love books that feel good in my hand. I don't know what produces that feeling but it's a good size, good quality materials.
As far as being a reference book for patching things, darning things and plant-dying fabrics, I'd probably give this book a four. It's got really good information for a beginner and I think that there's a need for books that give you enough information to figure out if you'd like to delve into that craft. I picked it up because I taught myself to darn and I'd always wondered if I was doing it correctly. It turns out I am.
As far as inspiration, I would probably give this book only one star. So if you are looking for inspiration I would go somewhere else first and then come back to this book as a how to. The reality of the slow fashion movement is that it involves not owning too many clothes, continuing to wear clothes after they've been damaged and patched, and making do. Compared to spending every weekend at the mall shopping, there has to be some factors that help make up the difference and I didn't see those factors exist in this book.
For instance, if you're going to patch something, this book suggests you use contrasting thread so that it's obvious that it's been mended. Most people in our world don't consider that a badge of honor. If there had been some examples of how you could use a repair to introduce a fun design element that appeared to be an intentional part of the article of clothing, that would serve as an incentive to do this. The big thing was that the clothing shown as examples were outfits I would never want to wear. They were not fitted, shapeless, not appealing, and monochromatic. The benefit to sewing your own clothes is that you can get a perfect fit, you can choose colors and patterns that appeal to you and look good on you, thereby producing custom clothes.
I think the main reason people don't want to go to slow fashion is that it's not as much fun as buying a lot of clothes on a regular basis and they're afraid they won't look as good. This book doesn't do anything to alleviate either of those concerns.
As far as being a reference book for patching things, darning things and plant-dying fabrics, I'd probably give this book a four. It's got really good information for a beginner and I think that there's a need for books that give you enough information to figure out if you'd like to delve into that craft. I picked it up because I taught myself to darn and I'd always wondered if I was doing it correctly. It turns out I am.
As far as inspiration, I would probably give this book only one star. So if you are looking for inspiration I would go somewhere else first and then come back to this book as a how to. The reality of the slow fashion movement is that it involves not owning too many clothes, continuing to wear clothes after they've been damaged and patched, and making do. Compared to spending every weekend at the mall shopping, there has to be some factors that help make up the difference and I didn't see those factors exist in this book.
For instance, if you're going to patch something, this book suggests you use contrasting thread so that it's obvious that it's been mended. Most people in our world don't consider that a badge of honor. If there had been some examples of how you could use a repair to introduce a fun design element that appeared to be an intentional part of the article of clothing, that would serve as an incentive to do this. The big thing was that the clothing shown as examples were outfits I would never want to wear. They were not fitted, shapeless, not appealing, and monochromatic. The benefit to sewing your own clothes is that you can get a perfect fit, you can choose colors and patterns that appeal to you and look good on you, thereby producing custom clothes.
I think the main reason people don't want to go to slow fashion is that it's not as much fun as buying a lot of clothes on a regular basis and they're afraid they won't look as good. This book doesn't do anything to alleviate either of those concerns.
February 2, 2025
The principle of this book is so cool. The photos are cute and it’s really fun and interesting. I had no idea about natural dyes and that they are actually so easy. She really breaks that part down. There’s not much about thrifting so I’m not sure why that word is in the title.
I don’t love visible mending or the look of most of her sewing projects in the book. They’re not really my style. But again, the principles are neat. It is a little tree-huggy. Personally, I’m just into this stuff for cost savings and my own health, not really so concerned about my footprint. But regardless, I devoured this in a day or two.
I don’t love visible mending or the look of most of her sewing projects in the book. They’re not really my style. But again, the principles are neat. It is a little tree-huggy. Personally, I’m just into this stuff for cost savings and my own health, not really so concerned about my footprint. But regardless, I devoured this in a day or two.
February 18, 2022
I picked this up to learn how to repair my cashmere sweater. I’m still very intimidated, but I might just do it. There are also great instructions for other mending and dyeing projects. This is a book I will probably buy.
April 28, 2021
I care (a lot) about the Earth. I have stretched myself over the years to do what I can to help counteract the damage we have done/are doing to our lovely planet. BUT my wardrobe is an area I tend to get stuck. I am a mediocre sewist on my best day. I’ve had three kids and I’ve aged and my body has changed and my style has evolved and it’s sometimes overwhelming enough to find something (anything) that fits and feels good. And then to consider environmental impact (and style congruency! and price!) on top of it all feels like too much at times and can be paralyzing. What I REALLY appreciate about Make Thrift Mend is that it is like having an afternoon tea and chat with my best friend (who happens to be an expert in sustainable fashion and understands my struggles) and to have her gently and lovingly share her journey and what she’s learned. Like a map of where I am and little baby steps to get me to where I want to be. Without guilt or shame. Just information and encouragement and beauty (I mean, holy wow the photos in this book are STUNNING). I feel so inspired. And even (gasp) capable reading this book. I have already started messing around with simple stitches and dug out my old pajama pants that didn’t work, but with a gorgeous pattern I love, and am brainstorming how to rework them into something I will use. I am scouting thrift shops for natural fiber garments I can dye. So, if you’re like me and flounder a bit in the sustainable wardrobe / slow fashion and want a little hand holding that is accessible, but also inspiring, I would highly recommend this book. Like a coffee table photo book that is also a reference book that also touches my soul.
January 11, 2023
This one is less about creative mending and more about up cycling thrift store finds (or items you already own but do not wear or utilize) I didn't find any projects I wanted get right on in here, - however, it was pretty to look through and had some interesting ideas if you are looking for upcycled ideas.
November 15, 2021
This is a book about embracing slow fashion. We’re given ways to refresh and hang onto our clothes longer. I liked some of her ideas (the lunar cycle collar) but was less wild about others (embroidering the inside of pockets). But these are aesthetics. The book has clear depictions of stitches, and the instruction for a French seam and mending the thighs of jeans are great.
It’s worth picking this up for some planet and money saving ideas.
It’s worth picking this up for some planet and money saving ideas.
June 30, 2021
This book is wonderful. Full of ancient wisdoms and modern thinking, a bible for clothing longevity and a brilliant way to make a positive environmental contribution starting from the clothes we already own.
Plus it’s beautiful. A joy to own.
Plus it’s beautiful. A joy to own.
October 8, 2021
This is a lovely, thoughtful book. And I am super impressed with the colour achieved with the natural dyes (which I've never managed in my experiments, but here's hoping). Beautiful photos and inspiring quotes from all sorts of people.
The parts:
Foreword - by Orsola de Castro no less!
Introduction / Author's Note - the why
Ch 1 - Build
A short section but essential reading on the facets of building a sustainable wardrobe starting now and where you are. Not the usual 4 bag wardrobe declutter advice.
Ch -2 - Make
Basic kit and instructions for making your clothes: tools, fabric, stitches, projects for customising your clothing rather than making them: particular indie patterns are suggested but not included, an essay on making.
Ch 3 - Thrift (and Dye)
Here we do get the recipes, plus tools, plus an essay on connecting with nature through the making and using of natural dyes. Fabulous colours are achieved. This is the guts of this book.
Ch 4 - Mend
Tools (most of which are the same as Ch 1 so no additional outlay required), explanation for the projects - naturally you won't be able to replicate the mends exactly but all the skills are transferable plus an essay on mending as activism and resistance and healing and... read it.
The parts:
Foreword - by Orsola de Castro no less!
Introduction / Author's Note - the why
Ch 1 - Build
A short section but essential reading on the facets of building a sustainable wardrobe starting now and where you are. Not the usual 4 bag wardrobe declutter advice.
Ch -2 - Make
Basic kit and instructions for making your clothes: tools, fabric, stitches, projects for customising your clothing rather than making them: particular indie patterns are suggested but not included, an essay on making.
Ch 3 - Thrift (and Dye)
Here we do get the recipes, plus tools, plus an essay on connecting with nature through the making and using of natural dyes. Fabulous colours are achieved. This is the guts of this book.
Ch 4 - Mend
Tools (most of which are the same as Ch 1 so no additional outlay required), explanation for the projects - naturally you won't be able to replicate the mends exactly but all the skills are transferable plus an essay on mending as activism and resistance and healing and... read it.
December 13, 2025
quite honestly disappointed? it definitely did inspire me to take pride in sewing and visible mending but so much of the content confused me and felt too performative??? not really sure how to describe this it felt like it took away from the point of mending.
why spend three projects wasted on secret message sewing, some of them like filler projects just to add more pages to the book. i also felt disappointed that there were no actual patterns from the book or guidelines on how to make our own clothes from scratch, the author states they’ve made their own clothing and models even wear some but why no emphasis on that? i know it could be a whole separate book but if you’re going to title a book MAKE, mend, thrift you gotta add the make part then. all that was said to choose a pattern i guess online?? took away the purpose of getting a book in my opinion.
the cool projects i definitely loved however, sock darning repairing. those darn socks keep getting holes every couple of months so glad to find a better way to not throw them out.
why spend three projects wasted on secret message sewing, some of them like filler projects just to add more pages to the book. i also felt disappointed that there were no actual patterns from the book or guidelines on how to make our own clothes from scratch, the author states they’ve made their own clothing and models even wear some but why no emphasis on that? i know it could be a whole separate book but if you’re going to title a book MAKE, mend, thrift you gotta add the make part then. all that was said to choose a pattern i guess online?? took away the purpose of getting a book in my opinion.
the cool projects i definitely loved however, sock darning repairing. those darn socks keep getting holes every couple of months so glad to find a better way to not throw them out.
April 2, 2023
I love the idea and concepts of slow fashion and thought that this book brought together a lot of principles that I have been wanting to investigate more and hadn't gotten the chance to yet. I have been thrifting more and more for environmental reasons but haven't really made much of a leap into mending and repurposing, but I think that this book had some very useful resources to help me get started. I also really enjoyed learning about natural dyes, something I never really thought about or considered, but is not something that I want to try to do!
My only note is that the vibe is a little more "hippie" than is personally my jam (talking about moon phases, ancestors, etc.) but I do appreciate the aspects of connecting with nature and lineage. Food for thought, but taking some of the wider themes with a grain of salt.
My only note is that the vibe is a little more "hippie" than is personally my jam (talking about moon phases, ancestors, etc.) but I do appreciate the aspects of connecting with nature and lineage. Food for thought, but taking some of the wider themes with a grain of salt.
April 27, 2021
There is such a thoughtful wisdom to Katrina Rodabaugh's new book. From her essay on Mending as Healing: Individual and Collective Action to her inclusion of quotes from other artists and the images throughout the book there is a sense of community, of family, suggesting that in our quest for sustainability we are not alone. This along with her detailed instructions on how to mend and darn make for an approachable and inspiring book. I'm looking forward to following the dye instructions to transform my stained wool sweaters and to learning to darn my socks and gloves.
January 10, 2022
A beautifully constructed book. I enjoyed the photos and stories, also the detailed instructions. Unfortunately, the writer is way over my head in all areas of her expertise. This book is not for beginners, in my opinion. If you are fairly good with hand stitching, have some idea how to dye clothing with natural materials, and know your way around a Singer sewing machine, you may be the right person for this lovely book!
August 7, 2021
I am obsessed with this book! It is beautiful - photos, layout, and words. It is inspiring - well written tutorials, thoughtful essays, lots of resources. It is relevant - encouraging readers to consider our consumption. Asking us to slow down, make use of what we have, make what we have, and use what we have, before we buy more.
did-not-finish
May 24, 2022Did not finish - January 2022. Had checked ebook out of library on and off for a while, finally gave it up, seemed appealing, but not the book I hoped it would be / I wasn't the right audience for it. Better for someone looking to really get into the DIY clothing experience, rather than simply extending the life of your clothes a bit longer in cute ways.
February 24, 2024
Ever met that person who goes on and on about how they mend or thrift instead buying new because it’s better for the environment or whatever, but in your in mind your “full of crap” radar kept going off? Well this book is for them. As for me I’ll continue to mend the way I was taught, as seamlessly as possible.
April 13, 2024
A beautifully photographed and sensitively written book. I am an accomplished sewist myself, yet Katrina introduced me to new ideas about mending and restoring beloved clothing - not just from a practical standpoint but from a way of being and caring for the things we love and for the world we live in!
October 29, 2025
Picked this up at the New York Sheep & Wool Festival and read it when I got home. I love it and I can't wait to try some of Katrina's ideas. I also met Katrina Rodabaugh at the festival and she is wonderful and friendly and was wearing one of her handmade thrift shirts--one that she re-fashioned from a linen table cloth. Now looking for a pretty linen table cloth!
February 28, 2022
Four stars for the production of the book - photos are wonderful and the book feels really nice to hold. Two stars for content - the projects, especially the dyeing section, weren't detailed enough for a beginner to do just from the directions. The mend section was the most useful.
April 13, 2022
A thoughtful look at clothes, mending and thrifting. The author was on a journey to simplify her wardrobe, up-cycle items that were showing wear or needed mending; and only buying, making, keeping clothes they loved. There is a heavy focus on hand stitching.
July 30, 2022
Sooo it took
A really long time over a year. Visible mending is so cool. And the book is interesting. The cumulative 3.78 is accurate. But it was also repetitive. Mend a sweater, sock and glove.
A really long time over a year. Visible mending is so cool. And the book is interesting. The cumulative 3.78 is accurate. But it was also repetitive. Mend a sweater, sock and glove.
Read
January 25, 2023Not especially practical for the small shifts and repairs I manage on less-organic clothes; but good for growing thoughtfulness about our relationships with everything from plants to cherished fabric scraps.
July 7, 2024
More pictures than instructions, fine as a statement of _why_ but less helpful about _how_
I’ll donate my copy to a thrift shop and maybe it’ll convince someone else of the value of mending, but it didn’t do much for me
I’ll donate my copy to a thrift shop and maybe it’ll convince someone else of the value of mending, but it didn’t do much for me
November 8, 2024
I enjoyed this book, and it gave me some new ideas and inspiration for mending making. The dying part is just not something I am really interested in. Photos were very nice. This is the first book I have read in this genre.
April 13, 2025
This wasn't really what I was looking for as it dips its toes into too many things without delving in further. Only one way to mend things? Random information about highly covered natural dyes? And for a craft book, the layout was disappointing. Good for some, but not what I wanted.
April 18, 2021
Another fabulous, inspiring book by slow-fashionista Katrina Rodabaugh. I can't wait to dig into these projects and ideas!
June 29, 2021
I like the pretense of being more thrifty with our clothing, but the instructions were repetitive.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews