Mending makes a Difference

Mending your clothes is just one little thing that makes a big difference.

There’s no dispute that the planet is a breaking point. We have consumed and consumed for the last 50+ years to the extent that clothing is now seen as a disposable item.

I can spout the facts and figures to you…

• Humans are now overusing the Earth’s biocapacity*, by at least 56% . This is like living off 1.56 Earths. (Living Planet Report, 2020)
• For every person born since the 1950’s, one tonne of plastic has been produced. And less than a tenth of this has been recycled. (Tearfund Report, 2019)
• Three out of five fast fashion items end up in a landfill. (Clean Clothes Campaign, 2019)
• Every year an estimated 300,000 tonnes of used clothing – about £140 million worth – goes to landfill in the UK. (Wrap, 2017)

*The ability of our Earth’s ecosystem to regenerate.

Mending Matters

But the truth of it is unless consumer behaviour changes then big businesses are going to keep making money at the expense of our planet.

One of the ways that you can make a different is to have a different attitude to fast fashion.

Clothes should be loved and loved clothes last. They should be worn time and time again, building memories and love into the fibres of the fabric.

We shouldn’t think of fast fashion as disposable clothes, we should aim to pass our clothes to the next generation rather than filling up landfill and buying new.

With a few simple techniques, it’s easy to start mending our clothes.

This cardigan had got holes in the elbows from leaning on the table. So with some elbow patches embroidery thread and a little time. And I’ve got a fab revitalised functional cardigan again.

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I have luscious full thighs and that chub rub can be a disaster for the inner thigh area on trousers. These Sew House 7 Free Range Slacks were a summertime favourite until they started to become threadbare.

Because I had a few scraps of the fabric left in my stash. I could create some triangular patches to reinforce the inner thighs. And I sewed them in place by machine.

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Both of these repairs were a roaring success and it means I will get many more wears from both these garments. Read about some other repairs that kept my clothes out of landfill.

Have you repaired any clothes recently. I’d love to hear about them in the comments below.

Remember: A stitch in time, saves nine!

Find out more about the Love & Stitches Club here and learn techniques that will help you keep your clothes out of landfill.

Love & Stitches

Alison xx