The Mending Directory: 50 Modern Stitch Patterns for Visible Repairs

by Erin Eggenburg

This mending directory includes an envelope of reusable iron-on transfers!

Repair your well-loved clothes beautifully:

-Over 50 modern stitch patterns in a variety of styles, from geometric grid-based designs to looser nature-inspired patterns
-Make stylish repairs with sashiko mending designs that are visible and trendy
-Save money and practice sustainable fashion instead of buying new again and again
-Iron-on templates for applying to fabric patches are included and reusable
-For any skill level, with mending patterns organized from beginner to expert
-Step-by-step diagrams to show you how to recreate each look, as well as stunning photography of every completed project

Transform your favorite pieces from worn-out to wow!

Do you want to make your favorite clothes meaningful and give them new life? Are you intrigued by alternating stars and zigzag stripes? If so, join super-mender Erin Eggenburg as she shows you how to work over 50 fabulous stitch patterns for visible mending.

An inspiring guide to eco-conscious, sustainable fashion, The Mending Directory offers 50 modern stitch patterns and sashiko visible mending designs to inspire you to repair your clothes in stylish and trendy ways without having to consume more clothing.

This 144-page collection of hand-stitched and darned patterns is organized by skill level from beginner to expert, and each includes step-by-step instructions and a gorgeous photograph of the finished pattern. With designs ranging from geometric grids—including diamonds, zigzags, and chevrons—to those in a looser, nature-inspired style such as dandelion clocks, rainbows, and windmills, this is the perfect source of inspiration and instruction for every mending project.

Perfect for both beginners and those with sewing experience, this guide will help you save money, build your sewing and stitching skills, and make stunning fashion statements! The 50 patterns feature a variety of styles for all kinds of wearables. From squares, triangles, and diagonals to flowers, raindrops, stars, hearts, and more, The Mending Directory has something for everyone and every item in need of TLC! Also included are reusable iron-on transfer templates for applying to fabric patches.

Kick fast fashion to the curb and discover beautiful ways to repair and renew your favorite clothes, with The Mending Directory!

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction, Sewing

144 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 2021

Reviews

[ReadKnitHoard · Rating 2 out of 5]

The patches on woven fabrics were nice, delicate, pretty—even beautiful—but they didn't give me the information I always search for… how do I patch the upper thighs/lower butt area of my jeans that doesn't agree with my bicycle saddle?

The patches on knit fabrics were…overdone. Thick. They didn't work with the fabric for the most part.

Favorite woven patch: Tähdet ja vinoneliöt p.88
Favorite knit patch: Parsitut sydämet p.120

[margaretgstewartgmail.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really nice collection of mending patterns for those who want to branch out from the traditional. The author’s passion for embroidery shines in this book. It may not be the best primer for visible mending as the basic how to section is quite light, but for those already familiar with the fundamentals, it will likely expand your stitch vocabulary significantly. Note that the majority of pattens are for stitching woven fabric; the section on darning is really cool but smaller.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a mixed bag, partially excellent and partially a mess. The repairs Erin Eggenburg suggests for blue jeans just look messy. While the embroidery on the patches look interesting, the frayed edges just look sloppy. But on the other hand the repairs she does on knitted sweaters are really quite interesting. I recommend this book for learning to repair sweaters.

[Laurla2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

-4 stars? maybe 3.
pictures and instructions for 50 patterns to stitch over patches on fabric.
33 patterns for woven fabric, 17 patterns for knitted fabric.

i liked some of the woven fabric patterns but didn't care for any of the knitted fabric patterns.

the woven fabric patterns are repetitive patterns like stars and diamonds, suns and crosses, stacked triangles, little boxes, symmetrical suns.

[Jenna Walden McGowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is exactly what the title says it is, a directory of various ways to mix up decorating a patch or darn. It has a bare bones how to patch/darn, which could get a beginner started, though I’d recommend eventually reading something more focused on that. The ways to decoratively reinforce your patches and darns are lovely. The instructions for each one include a detailed diagram, a finished version and careful instructions. I expect I’ll reach for it for inspiration, even if I don’t use anything specifically.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of the 50 are embellishments on woven fabric, similar to sashiko. She doesn’t mention boro, although that is what it is…
I got out of library, and it is more a reference book, that you would want to go back to over and over.

[Katerina Molchanova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice book for beginners. I also have it as a reference for patterns. Unfortunately, it misses more advanced techniques for mending.

[Tam G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure how inclusive the techniques are, but it has a nice section on designing weave darns in a pattern which is kind of unusual.