Modern Mending book

Modern Mending

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.

Check out our BookShop affiliate link at the end of this post – buy from BookShop and support independent bookshops!

Here’s what we think of Modern Mending by Erin Lewis-Fitzgerald.

Even the cover is colourful and inspiring

Introduction

A review quote on the front of this book reads, “A fun, practical guide for anyone wanting to reduce fashion waste.” I couldn’t put it any better myself, that’s exactly what this fabulously colourful inspiring book is. It encourages you to bring your old clothes back to life instead of throwing them in the bin and running out to buy new things.

About the author

Erin is clearly a woman who wants to make the world a better place. She founded Bright Sparks, a social enterprise which re-used electrical appliances so they would not end up in landfill. And this book shows that same enthusiasm for keeping items going which have not reached the end of their life just yet. Erin’s mended creations have been displayed in exhibitions and she also teaches workshops in Australia.

Who is this book aimed at?

Anyone who has that desire to mend their clothing instead of just throwing things in the bin, or anyone who loves to sew and create who can see that this is a brilliant new planet saving hobby to start! That pair of jeans with a hole in the back? That jumper that ripped? That shirt you accidentally cut a hole in while you were making it? You’ll find an idea for all of those items in this book. 

Modern Mending
It’s not just about sewing!

The tag line of the book is, “How to minimize waste and maximize style.” We’re not just talking about sewing a hole shut here – although that is an option – this book will inspire you to make your mending stylish. Make a feature out of that disaster you are fixing. But most importantly, save it from landfill, and you will also be saving your money at the same time! No need to go and buy a replacement garment, fix the one you have. 

Modern Mending
There are even sections on what could go wrong and how to fix any mistakes, and pro tips

Content

This book is really nicely put together. It has around five sections – the usual foreward, intro, tips and tools section, an excellent techniques section showing you different methods to use to repair items, a brilliant case studies section showing you fabulous repairs in action, a section highlighting the work of ‘modern menders’, and finally some advice on things like clothing care and how to help others. The amazing case studies sections talks you through 25 fabulous fixes.

Modern Mending
A case study example, I think they look better now than when they were new! How cool are these!

Photography

The photos are lovely in this book. They are really bright, colourful, detailed, and Erin has provided lots to walk you through each project. They are the perfect accompaniment to the text describing what went wrong with each garment and how it has been restored to a new exciting life.

Modern Mending
Hole in your funky tea towel? How do you think she fixed this?

What makes this book special?

Erin’s clear joy at what the book can help you achieve is what makes this book special. It’s contagious. You can tell she is massively passionate about what she does. The amount of clothing which is sent to landfill sites these days is appalling and a lot of that is credited to ‘fast fashion’ which people dispose of really quickly. We need to work together to fix this issue, and this book is a joyful look at how to do that creatively.

Anything wrong with the book?

I honestly can’t think of a thing I’d say is wrong with this book. It’s jam packed with information, examples, a variety of brilliant ways to mend, it’s witty, it’s great. I never thought I’d sit and read a 272 page book about how to mend clothing cover to cover and laugh so much.

I mean, look at this, Erin even demonstrates the length of thread to use by using a cat – just brilliant.

Modern Mending
You just can’t fault a book with this in it!

Conclusion

In the UK (where I am based) the subject of fast fashion and how flippantly we dispose of clothing which could easily have a much longer lifespan is a hot topic. It has been highlighted on The Great British Sewing Bee, and is something Sewing Bee judge Patrick Grant talks about a lot. With that in mind I have mended a few items of my own, but reading this book will really make my next mending project so much better and more creative. 

The book is a really fun read which will help you do your bit to both save the planet and your bank balance – what’s not to love!

Get your copy from BookStore and support independent bookshops!

Share The Love

Want More of the good stuff?

Sew Eco by Ruth Singer

Sew Eco by Ruth Singer is a compelling guide to sustainable textile arts, offering innovative projects and insights for eco-friendly creativity.

Read More
Emma Congdon - Cross Stitch with Cattitude

14 Must-Have Cross Stitch Books for a Crafty Christmas 2023

Discover our curated selection of the 14 best cross stitch books for 2023, perfect for gifting or indulging in your passion for needlework this Christmas. From modern classics to subversive samplers, these must-have cross stitch guides offer inspiration and detailed instructions for crafters at every level.

Read More