Mending with Love: Creative Repairs for Your Favorite Things

Mending worn pieces of clothing evokes “happy memories and a sense of pleasure in the passing of time,” writes stylist Misumi (Joyful Mending) in her clever how-to. One chapter is dedicated to mending socks and makes use of basic darning techniques; another focuses on covering stains with stamps—Misumi advises if a stamp is “a little crooked or otherwise off a bit, that makes it unique.” Frays and holes, meanwhile, can be repaired with decorative embroidery and patching, and Misumi provides step-by-step instructions for each technique. For a cloud-shaped hole on a jacket collar, Misumi embroiders a night sky with yellow and blue stitches. Moth holes in an antique handmade coat are covered with small, round crocheted motifs. A final section shows readers how to transform unsalvageable pieces into something new: projects include stitching an old woolen sweater into a hot pad, and transforming an old sack into a trivet. Though some projects can be rather involved (turning an old T-shirt into a dust cloth, for instance, requires several techniques), Misumi offers no shortage of quick-fix stitches. Those looking to bring new life to old pieces will find this a useful guide. (Mar.)