I get lots of hand me downs from my family and I enjoy fixing the clothes up. I also hate getting rid of my own clothes. The was a fun and easy to follow book on upcycling for the crafty, bored or eco-conscious person.

Super helpful book for ideas of how to fix old or torn items. A few more pictures would be nice, but overall a handy guide.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

This book was both very entertaining and informational. I really liked the structure of it, and how the author spoke to the readers. I honestly, can't wait to get my own physical copy of this book.

This is a trendy topic at the moment so there are quite a few books out about mending your clothes. This book has an explanation of fast fashion, and the movement to buy less clothes, wear them longer, and mend then creatively when needed. The instructions on types of mending were well-written and even as an experienced sewist I learned a few tips.
In fact, the book is so good that I plan to buy a print copy.

I LOVED this book! I have been sewing since elementary school and am always interested in expanding my knowledge base. Within Edwards book, the reader will find a basic explanation of the harms of over consumption, essential mending skills, and general care instructions. Have you ever wondered how to get that pesky stain out of a shirt? Find the answer in the third section of this book. The illustrations and thorough but succinct explanations of steps and tools make this book highly readable and an essential guide for all sewists. I hardily recommend this book to anyone interested in fashion, sewing, green living, or wanting to do something radical, extend the life of an item.

Lots of creative ideas for repairing your existing clothes, and good advice on how to keep them from needing repair in the first place. Many of the projects seemed like a sewing beginner could tackle them, which is nice. Lots of graphics as well, which made for easy reading.

Mend It, Wear It, Love it is a well written sewing book. I'm a seasoned seamstress and most of the tips and tricks in the book were things I've done or heard about. It covered a wide variety of ways to mend things. I would recommend this as a beginner-moderate sewers. Some things were complicated if you've never done sewing before. I wish some of the drawings were better or were actual pictures. There were some photographs but most of them were for finished product not for the steps. I'd give this book a 3/5. Minus 2 for some of the instructions/pictures and plus 3 for the ideas and organization and the good instructions and pictures.

I received a free ebook copy from Netgally in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars. Should have been 4.5 stars.

This beautiful, colourful and clearly-organized book is a treasure-trove of ideas and can easily become a resource for years to come.

Because each set of step-by-step instructions is so detailed, readers who have never even held needle and thread in hand can absolutely engage in the magic of mending and altering clothes in their own personal style.

———————————————————————

WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THIS BOOK:
* I adore the whole VIBE of this book. The author’s descriptions are at-once funny, grounded and encouraging. Readers are given a huge permission slip to: try out new skills (even if nervous), be open to trying different ways to mend, and to choose where you think it is ok to try mending/alterations. We are even given permission to take a cherished piece to a professional once we know that we are completely over our heads.

* I love that the author covers the options of both using a needle and thread and/or a sewing machine (if you have access to one, though a machine is not essential to the book’s projects).

* It is so amazing that book starts at sewing a button back on. SO MANY people don’t know how to do this and many favourite clothes go unworn thought they can literally be fixed by a complete novice in under 5 minutes. Plus, these instructions (and those for repairing a hem), are just as clear and detailed as the more elaborate fixes that follow.

* Several different methods are covered for mending holes and rips/tears in clothing - depending on the hole size/shape, how visible the reader wants the repair to be, and where the hole occurs. I love that this includes a very strong method for reinforcing the inner thigh portions of jeans and other pants.

* This book also does a pretty good job of outlining how to darn holes in knitted garments. Though, I do wish that the author had provided at least one example of a more invisible darning job. Not everyone wants neon repairs in their favourite jumper.

* Other mending tips include dealing with imperfect zippers and frayed collars and cuffs.

* What REALLY, REALLY sets this book apart (from other publications demonstrating mending) is the ALTERATIONS section, entitled “Wear Your Clothes”! I just adore this portion of the book, and it adds so much extra value. Sometimes we don’t wear the things we have because they don’t fit quite right or we wish they could be changed in some way. Here, we are provided with wide variety of ideas to rework our already-owned clothing into something we can love to wear. These include shortening or lengthening a garment, altering fit, and adding embellishments. Brilliant!

* But the author doesn’t stop at mending and the altering fit and/or personality of your current wardrobe. The final section “Love Your Clothes” is equally BRILLIANT! The author describes the best ways to launder, store, care for clothes in order for them to last as long as possible, as well as have the smallest environmental impact. We are then treated to further alteration ideas - used especially to cover/hide stains - by dying and embroidery embellishment.

* I also love that the book begins with a short section on the environmental and ethical impacts that clothing manufacture, distribution and disposal have. So many people don’t realize that fast fashion is the second most environmentally destructive process on Earth, or how it negatively impacts millions of factory workers. We can only do better when we know better.

———————————————————————

WHAT I DISLIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK:
* In one of the patching tutorials, the author recommends Sashiko-style stitching without referencing its deep cultural roots. Sashiko stitching and sashiko thread are again mentioned again several times throughout the book. Through my work to be more inclusive and anti-racist, I have read the views of several Sashiko Masters on the cultural appropriation of their work. Despite a range of viewpoints on their part, it is clear to me that this author should have either done Sashiko the honour of being described in its full cultural context, or the author should have just chosen an altogether different style of embroidery pattern (preferably the latter). The frequent blasé mention of Sashiko left me feeling incredibly uncomfortable and I took an entire star off of my review for this.

I highly recommend digging into the IG posts by @sashi.co and/or their follow-up work here: https://upcyclestitches.com/cultural-appropriation-in-sashiko/

* In several places, this book refers back to simple actions (threading a needle, whip-stitch). But instead of telling the reader how to proceed, the author refers back to an earlier section. This is a craft book, and will very rarely be read cover-to-cover. Instead of making a novice stitcher go back and get confused by a whole other section, these very simple actions should simply have been described twice - or - there should have been a separate simple techniques reference section at the very front or back of the book. Either would have taken vary little space, but made it vastly easier than flipping back through other topics to find out how to ___ (thread a needle, for example).

In the case of referring to a pressing cloth for ironing (garment care section), this should have just been described again. It would take a handful of words, rather than asking the reader to refer back to page 49 (ludicrous).

* In the hole/tear mending section, I would have liked to see a short section on the likelihood that certain fabrics will fray. Ironing interfacing onto the back and using a simple whip-stitch will not stop a tear in most 100% natural, woven fabrics from fraying in future washings - interfacing is magical, but not THAT magical!

———————————————————————

This is EXACTLY the kind of book that I would have loved to discover at the beginning of my mending/altering/sewing adventure with clothing. It is a truly valuable reference. I would have classed this as a 4.5 star book had it not contained the deeply problematic cultural appropriation of Sashiko stitching. I strongly encourage the author and publisher to consider a revised second edition using simple embroidery.

Thank you to the author, Zoe Edwards, NetGalley and the publisher, DK Publishing, for an copy of this title in return for an honest review.

This delightful little book has sent me straight to my closet to start turning those items in my mending basket into something I look forward to wearing! In an age of upcycling, this primer is exactly what we need. Not only does it blow the dust off techniques our grandmothers and great-grandmothers used every day, but it also sparks the imagination in how we can re-invent and transform ill-fitting and out-of-date clothing into fun, modern, and very individual creations.
Yes, it very much "sparks joy". My thumb is up for this one.

Mend It, Wear It, Love It! by Zoe Edwards is a book for the hobbyist on repairing and caring for clothing to extend their longevity and minimize the environmental impact of clothing, which is known to have a large impact.

This book includes a plethora of full color illustrations that are pleasant to the reader's eyes. The first couple sections focus on the process of mending clothes using sewing techniques, while the later sections focus on sustainability in clothing such as rewearing and recycling clothes to decrease the impact on the environment.

The four sections within the book are: mending garments, tailoring garments, how to care for your clothing, and and the basics of sewing. The sections teach a variety of skills such as how to use a sewing machine, how to shorten a hem, how to deal with clothing holes, and much more. These are great skills for those who want to reduce their footprint on the environment or just love a clothing item and do not want to part with it.

This is obviously an important topic and can be helpful for those who want to learn how to care for their clothing while reducing waste. It is also an easy to read book with a variety of ilustratratinos that make it simpler than some other books. Overall I recommend this book for those who want to properly care for their items and reduce waste.

Many thanks to the publisher DK and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Should be mandatory reading! I plan to get copies for all my nieces and nephews. Basic sewing skills, conscious decision making about clothing, and a quick and easy read. Should really be taught in schools, tbh. So grateful to Zoe Edwards for creating this book. Patch pockets and disguising with embroidery are probably my favorite sections and most inspiring take aways.

Clothes Mending: Book Review of Mend It, Wear It, Love It! By Zoe Edwards

Clothes mending, of all types is having a moment. I’m a little obsessed with it, but I’ve lost track of all the books that have or are about to be released on the topic. I’ve even reviewed one on this blog already (Mending Matters by Katrina Rodabaugh). Honestly though, the options are kind of overwhelming. So, when I saw that I could get an advance copy of Mend It, Wear It, Love It! By Zoe Edwards I jumped at the chance. The book looked promising and I was more than ready to stop browsing and start reading.

DISCLAIMER

Mend It starts with a short introduction and a brief overview of the dangers of fast fashion. This is followed by an overview of tools and supplies. These tools are all illustrated, rather than photographed in a bright, simplified manner. This style of illustration is used throughout, giving the book a cheerful and cohesive look.

The next and largest section of the book covers a variety of different clothes mending techniques, from replacing buttons to darning holes to dealing with zipper issues. The instructions strike a nice balance between clear and brief. One of the challenges with mending is that each repair is going to be a little different. Edwards’ instructions give just enough information to get the reader started without overwhelming them with possibly unrelated details.

I’ve done my fair share of clothes mending, altering, and repairing clothing, so I wasn’t expecting to learn too much. However, I did find one tip in this section that will definatly impact my wardobe care going forward. Edwards suggests using iron-on interfacing on the inside of garments to reinforce weak spots or holes.

I generally prefer to use reweaving or to stitch on patches by hand when I need to reinforce a spot, but I’ve never been 100% happy with those options when repairing the crotch area on pants. So, I tried the interfacing method on two pairs of pants I had been meaning to fix. I used a weft knit black interfacing on a pair of leggings that had gotten a hole and a white woven interfacing on a pair of jeans that were getting thin at the inner thighs.

It worked so well on both pairs that, honestly, I’m kind of annoyed at myself for not thinking to use interfacing before now. The material is thin enough that it doesn’t create the bulk that a traditional iron on patch does, but it is just as quick and easy to apply. I don’t know how well the repairs will hold up long term, but they were so fast and simple that it was worthwhile. And I can always go back and reenforce the area with stiches (as suggested elsewhere in the book) if I need to.

The next section, “Wear Your Clothes” focuses on ways to alter clothing, both for style and fit. These fixes range from hemming to adding a patch pocket. All little fixes to help the reader wear things that are already in their closet but languish because they’re not quite right. Again, the instructions are clear but generic. More inspiration than a step-by-step run-through of any specific project. Which is exactly what is needed since every garment will have its own challenges.

The final part of the book looks at clothing care and maintenance. This includes laundry and storage. The stain removal section also includes information on dyeing and using decorative embroidery to cover stains. What I love about this is that it encourages the reader to think of an irremovable stain not as the end of a garment, but as an opportunity. A stained garment is usually still fully functional, so finding ways to make them wearable again is such a great idea.

While the book generally hits the right balance between providing information on clothes mending and leaving out excess, there was one thing I feel is missing: information on fabric types. A lot of new sewers don’t realize that knit behave differently than wovens or that not all fibers shrink at the same rate when washed. A paragraph or two on the basics of fabric could help point a beginner in the right direction and help them start to troubleshoot any fabric-related problems. However, that is a minor issue in an otherwise great book.

And I do think this is a great book, particularly for beginners. It covers a wide range of common issues and how to fix them in an easy-to-read manner. It doesn’t overwhelm the reader with details, but it teaches enough sewing vocabulary that a reader will know what to search for if they run into problems. The illustrations are clear and the color pallet is bright and approachable. This book would be a great gift, especially for someone who’s just starting out on their own (graduation gift, perhaps?) or has recently developed an interest in clothing and fashion.

Mend It, Wear It, Love It! By Zoe Edwards is available February 9th at BookShop.org or wherever you buy books.

I learned a lot from Mend It, Wear It, Love It by Zoe Edwards.

To understand my review, I think you need to know a bit about my sewing skills. I sewed when I was very very young from about age 4 to age 8. Mostly quilting with a few other projects. It was not until last January that I started sewing again and wanted to start working on my own clothes. In the past year, II only started working on clothes this past December.

I found this book incredibly helpful. I have found online that even beginner level videos still do not answer the most basic of questions. All the questions I have been trying to find for interfacing, I found in this book.

I thought the beginning part of the book was very strong with how the techniques were drawn and explained. Reading directly out of a book is my weakest form of learning and even I was able to learn several of these skills. That shows how well written and illustrated it really was.

The second half of the book was interesting and as someone who loves to thrift shop this gave me loads of ideas. I do wish some of the techniques offered a final photo of what it will look like at the end. Some of them were well done and others could be better.

While this was a great introductory book, I feel there could have been even more techniques and ideas offered.

I am hoping to buy this book when it is released as I have found it very helpful. Overall, I would give it 4.5 stars.

I received an eARC from DK Publishing through NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own.

The book is nicely presented with many full color illustrations. It is meant to be very user friendly so those with no experience in sewing won't feel overwhelmed by the various topics. The first two sections on sewing were better than the latter sections on ways to recycle or redeem older clothes, which failed to inspire me unfortunately.

The book has four main sections that are color coded: Mending clothes (using a sewing machine, basics, repairing a hem, mending a hole, etc.), Wearing clothes (shortening a hem, adding a pocket, removing sleeves, etc.), Loving your clothes (storage options, laundry and ironing tips, dying, etc.), and the Basics (your basic sewing kit and other equipment you'll need).

There are great points in the beginning about recycling, buying at thrift stores, etc. to save the planet. But I have to admit, the photo examples given of upcycling too often ended up looking tacky, homely, or just sad to me (in other words, they looked like craft projects). Each of the above sections had a photograph page of ideas of changing/fixing/redeeming a clothing item: contrasting buttons, visible darning, visible stitching, contrast trims, patch pockets, elasticized sleeves, dying, and using embroidery to cover holes. None were very convincing that they improved the clothing item.

For the instructional part, the book uses clean illustrations rather than photographs. For me, it could be a bit hard to match up the illustration to an actual 3D object in my hand; I may just be more of a visual person in that regard. But I did have some issues with the tutorials in that I think I would have had a better time with photographs rather than drawings. But I can say that there are more than enough drawings in here and the author did a great job of ensuring all the instructions were fully illustrated. The drawings are very cleanly drawn to make them as easy as possible to follow.

I do think the topic is needed and I do hope we recycle our clothing more in the future. For a beginner, I do believe this is a good choice and I appreciate that the format is especially colorful and encouraging. Sewing is definitely not daunting when following this book's instructions. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

This book is another addition to the ever-increasing volume of mending related books hitting shelves within recent years. It begins with an overview of the modern mending movement and the negative impact that traditional clothing buying practices are having on the environment, the workers making the clothes, and the consumers. An overview of basic mending tools and techniques is followed by sections explaining various repairs such as reattaching buttons, adjusting hemlines, and patching holes. The book concludes with tips for storage and upkeep of garments.

The instructions in this book are a bit hard to follow. Having actual photographs demonstrating the techniques and repairs would have been more helpful as a guide than the drawings the book uses. Because of this it might be difficult for beginners to copy the instructions properly.

Sewing and mending are becoming more popular in recent years. This visually happy sewing book covers the basics of sewing and using a sewing machine. It is logically organized with lots of clear images for the beginner. I am looking forward to updating our sewing book section with this edition.

This is a great overall informational book with lots of suggestions and good ways to keep your cloths longer.

Mend It, Wear It, Love It! is a tutorial and style guide to re-imagining, mending, and re-purposing materials to support a more sustainable lifestyle. Due out 9th Feb 2021 from Penguin Random House on their DK imprint, it's 144 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

The pandemic and subsequent economic collapse have shown us what people have known for ages. Our current treadmill of ever faster and more frenetic consumption isn't sustainable for us or for the planet we share. We need to find another way to do better and we're really on the knife-edge of passing the point of no return.

This guide provides good and sensible tutorials for fixing and mending clothing. Most of the info was taught earlier in schools or by family members, but much of it has fallen to the wayside in an era of fast fashion and disposable clothing. The tutorials are arranged thematically: basics (sewing, tools and supplies), mending clothing, wearing (hemming, adding patch pockets, and other alterations), and taking care of clothing with proper storage and cleaning.

The book isn't exhaustively full of photos... but the tutorial photos which are included are sufficient, clear, and understandable. Many of the tutorials are also accompanied by colorful line drawn illustrations.

This would make a superlative selection for library acquisition, maker's/activity groups, home library, or gift for a newly flown-the-coop child or friend. There's a lot of good usable information here.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Good for those who want to extend the life of their clothing or buy a piece and mend it up. Good visuals.

Mend It, Wear It, Love It began with a dive into the reason we need books, and the skills found in books, designed to help us get away from fast fashion.

The beginning of the book listed the materials and equipment you would need to start your mending journey. The book covered many different mending scenarios and included step by step illustrations as well as a few pictures of finished mends. The second section introduced ways to revamp the clothing that you have in your closet to make your wardrobe seem more fresh without buying new items. The last section helps the reader with taking care of the clothing you own so it lasts longer.

This book is filled with amazing information and lots of helpful tips and tricks. It is perfect for anybody trying to save money on their wardrobe or anybody disenchanted with the fast fashion industry! I would highly recommend Mend It, Wear It, Love It!