Mend In Public Day – Are You In?
The fast fashion industry now worth $136.19billion and is responsible for more carbon emissions than aviation and shipping combined. Accounting for 10% of global pollution, there has never been a more important time that now to learn how to mend your clothes rather than waste money on fast fashion.
Previously seen as an old-fashioned way of saving money, mending has recently become something of an art form. The likes of embroidery, patch working and sashiko mending are all growing in popularity thanks to social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. Predicted trend for 2025? Mending is in, throwing clothes away is out!
Mend In Public Day - What Is It?
Mend in Public Day is an opportunity for people to get together and repair, mend or alter clothes in the local community and stitch in protest against disposable fashion. Created as a craftivist campaign by the Fashion Revolution, it’s a way to grow awareness for textile waste and to help express our activism through craft.
When Is It?
This year’s Mend in Public Day will be on Saturday 26th April 2025.
Why Is Mending Important?
Every year we discard 92 million tons of clothes-related waste globally, which is the equivalent of a bin lorry of clothes being sent to landfill every second. With many of these items being made from plastic-based materials such as nylon and polyester, around half a million tons of microplastics and associated contaminants end up in our water systems each year.
Mending is, quite simply, saving the planet by making an item wearable, saving it from landfill and reducing pollution in our water system.
Examples of Mending
· Sewing
Most commonly used, sewing is a straightforward way to fix holes, tears, fallen hems and broken fixings such as zips or buttons.
· Patching
Using an additional piece of fabric, patching can be used to fill larger holes in items. Some will choose to use the same fabric to make the repair invisible while others will use a contrasting fabric to draw the attention to their skills.
· Darning
Darning is a type of weaving whereby you use vertical and horizontal strands of cotton or yarn to fill in the hole. Mainly seen in socks and on knee patches as the darning process creates a stronger surface than regular material.
· Sashiko
This is a Japanese form of mending which uses a patch of fabric over a hole and then decorative stitches to make the patch stronger and prettier.
Mend In Public Day – Are You In?
So how about it? Do you fancy getting involved in the Cranbrook Mend in Public Day? We will be meeting in the town square on the 26th of April (more details to come soon) to mend in public as a group. If you would like to know more then please do email cranbrookcreativecircle@gmail.com to sign up or follow our Facebook Page for regular updates.
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