Book Review – Mend and Patch

Textile Art Book Reviews

At Mr X Stitch we love to review textile art and embroidery books for you. There are so many great books to discover, packed with needlework inspiration and textile techniques, so we dive into each book to find out what’s good, what’s bad and let you know why you should pick it up.

Textile Art Book Reviews

At Mr X Stitch we love to review textile art and embroidery books for you. There are so many great books to discover, packed with needlework inspiration and textile techniques, so we dive into each book to find out what’s good, what’s bad and let you know why you should pick it up.

Introduction

Mend and Patch: A Handbook to Repairing Clothes and Textiles is a practical and visual guide to mending clothes and fabrics with both decorative and invisible repairs. The book empowers the reader to feel capable to extend the life of clothes and garments, rather than buying new.

About the artist

Kerstin Neumuller is a men’s tailor and has spent many years studying handicrafts and the history of textiles. Kerstin runs numerous workshops and hosts talks both online and in her studio, passing on her expert skills.

Who is it aimed at?

Mend and Patch is aimed at those looking to breathe new life into their old clothes, those interested in sustainability and those wishing to learn new practical skills. With this guide, you don’t have to say goodbye to your worn favourite clothes. With fast fashion dominating how we chose our clothes, mend and patch helps us to form new relationships with garments we already own, giving them a new life with mending, patching and repairing.

Introduction

There are different types of mending within this book, meaning the techniques are accessible to those with little time, those without sewing machines, and those who have the materials, but are unsure how to utilise them. 

the list of contents
The different sections of mending
we love this opening piece of text.....

Content

The writers background makes this an educated yet interesting read; her skill as a men’s tailor comes through in the finer details.

Simplistic mending, things often overlooked are included in this publication.
Simplistic mending, things often overlooked are included in this publication.
Piles of garments, ready to be reloved
Piles of garments, ready to be re-loved.

There is a great focus on stitching, creating both decorative mending and invisible mending.

The book has a paired back vibe, materials and stitching quality are shown, over pattern and colour.

The book has a paired back vibe, materials and stitching quality are shown, over pattern and colour.

Ideas are well displayed.  We can get into the “perfect mending” concept, where we think that we must return a damaged item back to its original state.  Here the writer demonstrates how we can actually highlight the mended places!

Beauty in mending, patterned pieces are used to cover holes in denim to mend and patch.
Beauty in mending, patterned pieces are used to cover holes in denim.

What makes it special?

What is wrong with the book?

The concept to mend and patch will not be for everyone.  Others may not like the consistent colour tones used within this publication.  However the message behind this book should be for everyone.  We all need to look after things more!  It is simply a way of saving the environment and actually it can save us money too in the long run!  It is also a way for us to slow down, creating time for ourselves for a good reason!

Conclusion

Get your copy of….

Mend and Patch – A Handbook to Repairing Clothes and Textiles by Kerstin Neumuller is published by Pavillion

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