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Visible Mending: Repair, Renew, Reuse The Clothes You Love
We all have that favourite pair of jeans or even lucky socks that we treasure, no matter how baggy or worn they might become. In the movement against throw-away culture and fast fashion, learn how to pick up a needle and rediscover the forgotten techniques and the joy of mending.
In Visible Mending, Arounna Khounnoraj explores why we should mend, and how to mend a variety of different fabrics. Work through the book to discover how to repair forgotten pieces and give worn-out clothes a new life. Today, mending has become an extension to making. Mending is about returning value to something, an opportunity to decorate, emphasise details and express identity by repurposing and reusing.
Illustrated step-by-step instructions will demystify mending techniques that can be easily applied to old items to give them a fresh, modern look. Each of the projects examine how to repair, reuse and renew the clothes you love, from patching jeans, embroidering over tears to dyeing to hide stains and using the Japanese art of Sashiko.
Visible Mending is for those who want to learn how to make the most of their wardrobes, be less wasteful, more sustainable and add a personal touch to their garments.
In Visible Mending, Arounna Khounnoraj explores why we should mend, and how to mend a variety of different fabrics. Work through the book to discover how to repair forgotten pieces and give worn-out clothes a new life. Today, mending has become an extension to making. Mending is about returning value to something, an opportunity to decorate, emphasise details and express identity by repurposing and reusing.
Illustrated step-by-step instructions will demystify mending techniques that can be easily applied to old items to give them a fresh, modern look. Each of the projects examine how to repair, reuse and renew the clothes you love, from patching jeans, embroidering over tears to dyeing to hide stains and using the Japanese art of Sashiko.
Visible Mending is for those who want to learn how to make the most of their wardrobes, be less wasteful, more sustainable and add a personal touch to their garments.
159 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 9, 2021
Lovely book to flip through for inspiration. I will be raiding my own closet, looking for things to mend!
I am a beginner sewist and this book reminded me that it’s ok to loosen up, experiment, and get creative instead of always following a formula. The goal doesn’t have to be an “invisible” mend, in fact it can be quite the opposite! And you don’t need to get anyone’s permission, follow a rule book, or to be “on trend.” Just do whatever the hell you want!
This book reminded me that patching clothes can enhance them rather than make them look like Raggedy Ann. It could actually be quite chic, artistic and upscale.
Also, it’s always great to be reminded to fix and reuse what we already own instead of buying new. I fall into the “bored of everything I own” trap a little too often. This book was a gentle reminder that what we often call “basics,” and that feeling that we should own many interchangeable “basics” in our wardrobe, is just another facet of fast fashion. Why shouldn’t every single item we own be special instead of “basic”? And what’s to stop us from turning a basic item meant to be thrown out after a few washes into something un-basic instead?
The techniques in the book are solid but also readily accessible elsewhere. It’s a good overview of some different methods but nothing groundbreaking.
For the actual projects, I did wish there were more pictures. I wished that more emphasis was on mending rather than creating new projects. Although dyeing was discussed, I do not recall any advice on over-dyeing to freshen a garment or hide stains. There is only 1 example of jeans, 1 blazer, 1 button down shirt, and 1 sweater. I would have loved to see the variety and different methods that are possible for those type of frequently-mended garments.
I would have very much appreciated more discussion of mending “problem areas.” For instance - the crotch of jeans! They experience wear and tear, but are they possible to visibly mend without being awkward looking? Same goes for armpit holes or pit stains in shirts. Also, the edges of items or small finicky pieces that get worn down - jeans waistband, belt loops, shirtsleeve cuffs, pockets - they are all frequently in need of mending, experiencing the most stress and strain day to day, but there was not much discussion or picture examples around these problem areas.
The last third or so of the book is devoted to how to make some new projects like a scarf, bags, pouches, and a quilt. Although beautiful (especially the indigo dyed quilt, a work of art!!), and made from remnants and scraps, they don’t really fall into the category of mending. Rather than how to make new projects, I expected the book to focus more on mending or even alterations, which are not discussed. Altering is a totally different ballgame but, at the same time, it comes from the same impetus as mending: making something you already own work for you instead of buying something new. I know you couldn’t get into it deeply, but simple alterations like adding a pocket could fall into this category.
Those issues aside, what I really liked about this book was the inspiration and the perspective shift towards sustainability and focusing on making the clothes you already own wearable for longer.
I am a beginner sewist and this book reminded me that it’s ok to loosen up, experiment, and get creative instead of always following a formula. The goal doesn’t have to be an “invisible” mend, in fact it can be quite the opposite! And you don’t need to get anyone’s permission, follow a rule book, or to be “on trend.” Just do whatever the hell you want!
This book reminded me that patching clothes can enhance them rather than make them look like Raggedy Ann. It could actually be quite chic, artistic and upscale.
Also, it’s always great to be reminded to fix and reuse what we already own instead of buying new. I fall into the “bored of everything I own” trap a little too often. This book was a gentle reminder that what we often call “basics,” and that feeling that we should own many interchangeable “basics” in our wardrobe, is just another facet of fast fashion. Why shouldn’t every single item we own be special instead of “basic”? And what’s to stop us from turning a basic item meant to be thrown out after a few washes into something un-basic instead?
The techniques in the book are solid but also readily accessible elsewhere. It’s a good overview of some different methods but nothing groundbreaking.
For the actual projects, I did wish there were more pictures. I wished that more emphasis was on mending rather than creating new projects. Although dyeing was discussed, I do not recall any advice on over-dyeing to freshen a garment or hide stains. There is only 1 example of jeans, 1 blazer, 1 button down shirt, and 1 sweater. I would have loved to see the variety and different methods that are possible for those type of frequently-mended garments.
I would have very much appreciated more discussion of mending “problem areas.” For instance - the crotch of jeans! They experience wear and tear, but are they possible to visibly mend without being awkward looking? Same goes for armpit holes or pit stains in shirts. Also, the edges of items or small finicky pieces that get worn down - jeans waistband, belt loops, shirtsleeve cuffs, pockets - they are all frequently in need of mending, experiencing the most stress and strain day to day, but there was not much discussion or picture examples around these problem areas.
The last third or so of the book is devoted to how to make some new projects like a scarf, bags, pouches, and a quilt. Although beautiful (especially the indigo dyed quilt, a work of art!!), and made from remnants and scraps, they don’t really fall into the category of mending. Rather than how to make new projects, I expected the book to focus more on mending or even alterations, which are not discussed. Altering is a totally different ballgame but, at the same time, it comes from the same impetus as mending: making something you already own work for you instead of buying something new. I know you couldn’t get into it deeply, but simple alterations like adding a pocket could fall into this category.
Those issues aside, what I really liked about this book was the inspiration and the perspective shift towards sustainability and focusing on making the clothes you already own wearable for longer.
December 25, 2024
Skøn bog, som jeg glæder mig til at gøre brug af 😍
July 9, 2021
Wonderful. Also, an attractively presented book with matt finished pages and good photos.
The 'how to use this book' essay explains the decision making process for repairing, renewing and reusing textile items.
Sections: essential equipment; (hand) sewing stitches; essential mending techniques (includes both text and photographic or diagram instructions); projects (repair, renew and reuse examples); templates.
Naturally you will not be able to replicate the project exactly, but they provide inspiration and options to mend and love your clothes more.
The 'how to use this book' essay explains the decision making process for repairing, renewing and reusing textile items.
Sections: essential equipment; (hand) sewing stitches; essential mending techniques (includes both text and photographic or diagram instructions); projects (repair, renew and reuse examples); templates.
Naturally you will not be able to replicate the project exactly, but they provide inspiration and options to mend and love your clothes more.
January 10, 2021
Can't wait to start making/fixing things using some of these techniques, to keep more textiles out of the waste cycle.
March 22, 2022
Some good ideas for visible mending. Obvious Japanese influence so if that's not your style, you may not find much inspiration here. Pictures for techniques aren't on the same page and the text for the technique which would be maddening if I didn't already know how to do most these things. Embroidery stitches don't have step by step pictures at all.= On this note, if you have any experience with hand sewing, you're likely to find little value here. Great book to get from the library for inspiration or reference but probably not worth the price to buy it new.
January 30, 2024
the title of the book i read with this same isbn # was "visible mending: repair, renew, reuse the clothes you love"
-3 stars. i liked the stitch guide, but didnt care for any of the projects. they weren't anything i hadn't seen before.
--essential mending techniques: darning, binding, patching, applique, sashiko, embroidery, needle felting, dyeing, printing, finishing and tying knots, mending by hand.
--projects: jeans (with patches and sashiko stitching), butterfly applique (3 different embroidered butterfly patches), sweater (darning), socks (darning), mitts with duplicate stitch (copied onto both mittens), blazer (patching/applique), button shirt (patches with sashiko stitching), beret (needle felting), making felt patches (embroidery), embroidered dress, embroidery on mitts, block printed sweatshirt, sashiko stitch and patch sewing booklet, loop scarf with flat fell seam (sewn from fabric scraps), patch cushion (sashiko), envelope pouch (sewn from fabric scraps), bucket project bag (applique and sewn from fabric scraps), applique cushion, indigo dyed quilt (dyeing fabric and sewing), wearable art (applique, embroidery, sashiko), templates.
-sulky stick 'n' stitch self adhesive wash away stabilizer
-3 stars. i liked the stitch guide, but didnt care for any of the projects. they weren't anything i hadn't seen before.
--essential mending techniques: darning, binding, patching, applique, sashiko, embroidery, needle felting, dyeing, printing, finishing and tying knots, mending by hand.
--projects: jeans (with patches and sashiko stitching), butterfly applique (3 different embroidered butterfly patches), sweater (darning), socks (darning), mitts with duplicate stitch (copied onto both mittens), blazer (patching/applique), button shirt (patches with sashiko stitching), beret (needle felting), making felt patches (embroidery), embroidered dress, embroidery on mitts, block printed sweatshirt, sashiko stitch and patch sewing booklet, loop scarf with flat fell seam (sewn from fabric scraps), patch cushion (sashiko), envelope pouch (sewn from fabric scraps), bucket project bag (applique and sewn from fabric scraps), applique cushion, indigo dyed quilt (dyeing fabric and sewing), wearable art (applique, embroidery, sashiko), templates.
-sulky stick 'n' stitch self adhesive wash away stabilizer
May 3, 2022
I follow the author on Instagram and really like watching her work. It turns out that learning from books is not really my speed, so I didn't actually find this more useful or helpful than the Instagram. She's recently started making longer YouTube tutorials for anyone else who wants to watch instead of read.
May 13, 2021
Whilst I learnt little new in terms of techniques from this book, it does simplify and clarify some.
It's also inspirational in terms of sparking ideas for projects other than those in the book.
It also speaks to the low/no waste desire in me.
It's also inspirational in terms of sparking ideas for projects other than those in the book.
It also speaks to the low/no waste desire in me.
December 27, 2021
Very pretty, but I felt like I already knew all the information inside. So I would recommend for beginners, but if you already know a lot about textiles, it probably won't be a very interesting read for you. It is worth flipping through to see the pictures though.
December 20, 2023
This is the most beautiful, joyful book I've read on the subject. The author encourages jumping right in with minimal tools required to start whilst simultaneously opening up the rabbit hole to lots of exciting possibilities..
The project images are inspiring and the stitches and techniques are explained and illustrated clearly, making this both accessible for beginners and aspirational for those looking to branch into new mending territory.
The book covers a wide range of appealing techniques and projects, from the practical - fixing ripped jeans, darning cardigans and making felt patches - to more artistically inclined projects like up-cycled decor items and making wearable-art jewelry. Fresh and quirky designs go beyond stitching to dyeing, needle felt and block printing techniques.
Highly recommend - I feel inspired! ✨
The project images are inspiring and the stitches and techniques are explained and illustrated clearly, making this both accessible for beginners and aspirational for those looking to branch into new mending territory.
The book covers a wide range of appealing techniques and projects, from the practical - fixing ripped jeans, darning cardigans and making felt patches - to more artistically inclined projects like up-cycled decor items and making wearable-art jewelry. Fresh and quirky designs go beyond stitching to dyeing, needle felt and block printing techniques.
Highly recommend - I feel inspired! ✨
November 2, 2022
This is a lovely book, with good ideas and clear instructions. I really liked the emphasis on embroidery, and the ideas of making embroidered patches to use later. What makes this book different to other mending books are the instructions for how to repurpose clothing and fabric scraps to make other things - I liked this aspect of the book even though the particular ideas were not projects I was going to make (I have enough bags, and don't really care for embroidered jewelry or cushions). I would have liked to have seen more ideas about how to do this, but perhaps I need to read something about garment construction instead.
It is less comprehensive for mending techniques than Modern Mending, which is my go-to book for mending, but the additional approaches included here (e.g. dyeing, block-printing, and reuse) are good for inspiration.
It is less comprehensive for mending techniques than Modern Mending, which is my go-to book for mending, but the additional approaches included here (e.g. dyeing, block-printing, and reuse) are good for inspiration.
June 23, 2022
This is currently my favorite mending book. I appreciate the information and the style of the mends. I will probably use the ideas and techniques even if I do things slightly differently for my own projects. I was inspired to darn many wool socks after getting this for Xmas.
The photography is lovely and there are a couple of scrap projects in the back for your leftover fabric or un-mendable garments.
The photography is lovely and there are a couple of scrap projects in the back for your leftover fabric or un-mendable garments.
July 4, 2023
Really useful books showing different examples and stitches for visible mending, allowing for repair to clothes once damaged, rather than disposal of them. There are also different examples of projects where the techniques shown have been applied. Some templates are included at the back of the book. This is a book I will refer to often in the future for my projects.
Read
August 25, 2026I got exposure to a lot of ideas. I appreciate all that is possible is artistic mending. I find visual design of any kind rather intimidating but I am now going to take on some very basic mending on some of my clothes. It's also fun learning what is possible even if it seems a bit too much to try it yourself.
June 26, 2022
Lovely, practical and accessible entry point into visibly mending your textiles. Covers various methods like patching, darning, embroidery, and sashiko, with project ideas and clear steps for each. A perfect reference guide to keep on hand while maintaining the things you love.
August 10, 2022
4 ⭐️: i really liked it
Jeg var skeptisk i starten da hun viste det essentielle udstyr (og der var meget + der var ikke noget som viste hvad var hvad), den det er også en super sød og inspirerende bog🧶 Mange ideer + teknikker jeg ikke havde overvejet før!
Jeg var skeptisk i starten da hun viste det essentielle udstyr (og der var meget + der var ikke noget som viste hvad var hvad), den det er også en super sød og inspirerende bog🧶 Mange ideer + teknikker jeg ikke havde overvejet før!
March 21, 2023
4.5 stars
Another great resource Book offering a step by step guide to many different forms of visible mending. The instructions were easy to follow, with good illustrations and photographs for visual guidance as well.
Another great resource Book offering a step by step guide to many different forms of visible mending. The instructions were easy to follow, with good illustrations and photographs for visual guidance as well.
May 5, 2023
Although it’s titled Visible Mending, the strength of this book is actually its ideas and inspiration for upcycling and frugal creating. There’s some overlap with the mending but I think it could be better titled.
November 13, 2025
Got from library, had many good projects and general repair techniques. Would consider buying this as I think it would’ve handy to refer to often. Planning to make 1 or 2 of the project within. I like the authors sense of style in the fabrics she picks.
November 1, 2021
I found the instructions for darning were some of the best I have read. It felt more clear and percise.
January 1, 2022
Some good information and instruction.
June 28, 2022
This has been the best shashiko and visible mending book that I have read. And I have looked through many!
August 11, 2022
Great instructions.
January 3, 2023
The directions and techniques for great, and there was a lot of great inspiration for mending projects. Nothing groundbreaking, but quite informative.
February 20, 2023
Really love these books that make stitching into an art. Snipped a few ideas to do in the future.
April 28, 2023
wonderful... only 3 stars because have already read versions of most the information before, which is just a case of availability at the library.
damn
that is not fair, adding a star.
damn
that is not fair, adding a star.
February 14, 2024
Wonderful reference book for repairing clothes, the visible way!
March 20, 2024
So much inspiration. Would be a good book to own.
May 21, 2024
Good book - very inspiring. This is a book I'll come back to frequently.
April 6, 2025
Clear explanations of interesting techniques.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews