Joyful Mending: Visible Repairs for the Perfectly Imperfect Things We Love!
Noriko Misumi
Tuttle Press
We may have succeeded in having less plastic and food waste, but what about the rest of the throw away society which seems to have become the norm? Financially, it may feel less of a strain to purchase cheaper clothing and interior items, but often they are not appreciated, thus yes we do just bin and forget. They easily soil or hole, half because we value them less and half because sadly quality does usually cost. This title teaches us ways of getting out of that habit - no matter what you have paid for the cardigan, bag, whatever the item - if its in your possession and it is damaged in some way, why not try to make it good via this books direction? Darn that cardigan which you can no longer wear because of that ‘life hole’ - make some fun of it, why not choose an alternate colour from the item, a red holed jumper could be healed as it were with blue stitching.
The chapters will lead you through not just one method but many, its not one simple showcase, it can be done with all sorts of stitch types - whip stitch, cross stitch, it may just depend on the thing you are working on.
The main goal is really found within its title ‘Joyful’ - its not just a case of mending for mendings sake, it is for your emotional health too. For example, I have certain items which I loved, passed from family members. I can’t use them or wear them, as they are stained and damaged. I get precious about them, I do not want to ‘hurt’ them as it were, so I just store them, my version of ‘cherishing’ equates to having them host a drawer in my room or studio…..yet really….is that a loving action? I have decided myself that actually, it is not. Life is short - will those who live on after me appreciate these items? Or will their stories die with me? So what good is protecting them?
Instead….
I will gradually go through them, I will try to use them, see them in a new light, try to bring them into a working condition. Could you do the same? I hope to then proudly display these things - the table cloth of old, with ‘those stains’ will christen my tabletop - there will be a risk of a spill or spoil, but then it will have an added story, a “so you remember that time?….” Can you do the same?
Use Misumi as a guide, a starting point for you to go on to think…what have I got….?
In the middle of caring for your fabric “patient” you may just find a smile, a lifted spirit, a light within your soul. Bear in mind the Japanese methods of Wabi Sabi and Kintsugi are also a premise for this book.
The author sees mending as ‘a way of life’, a gentler and kinder one in my own view. So instead of fulfilling yourself through a shopping trip, why not instead save a fabric soul?