Mend It Better: Creative Patching, Darning, and Stitching

Don’t hide that patch, make it a bold, beautiful embellishment! Repair holes with bright thread and a creative darning stitch; revive a stained shirt with fun embroidery! In Mend It Better, popular craft blogger Kristin M. Roach puts a new spin on mending by adapting traditional techniques for today’s crafty sewers. With detailed photography to show each step, she teaches a wide range of patching, darning, and repair stitches using both hand and machine sewing. The how-to text is accompanied by dozens of inspiring examples from Kristin’s own work and that of other craft bloggers and artisans. You'll love the innovative solutions using appliqués, patches, brightly colored accents, and intricate lace details. With Mend It Better, every garment and fabric repair is a chance for self-expression and fabulous creations.

Wear Your Patches with Pride

Patch, hem, and darn new life into your torn and tired clothing. Kristin Roach's creative techniques, along with original mending ideas from guest crafters, will inspire you to adjust your hemlines, play with creative stitches, add pops of color with vintage buttons, apply boldly patterned patches, and so much more. Simple step-by-step instructions and basic sewing supplies are all you need to make your worn clothing better than ever. You'll love the fun and frugality of upcycling!

Kristin M. Roach graduated with a BFA in painting in 2008 and is currently teaching art classes, organizing community art programs, and inspiring others to live life creatively with her website CraftLeftovers.com. She has been published in Interweave Knits, KnitScene, Craft, Make, and was a contributing designer in Button it Up by Susan Beal. Her work will be included in the upcoming Best of Knitscene book.

Introduction
Chapter 1: Mending, Then and Now
Chapter 2: Mending Tool Kit
Chapter 3: Stitch Smarts
Chapter 4: Patchwork
Chapter 5: Surface Fixes
Chapter 6: Seam Fixes
Chapter 7: Straight Hems
Chapter 8: Around the Waist
Chapter 9: Darning
Chapter 10: Fasteners and Closures
Chapter 11: Zippers
Chapter 12: Getting Fancy
Chapter 13: Decorative Accents
Chapter 14: Care and Prevention
Resources
Glossary
Project Contributors
Metric Conversions
Index