I absolutely love to see mended garments in museum collections, it's such a tangible connection to the past! As an archivist who also helps manage an artifact collection, it's such a thrill to find something that has been repaired. Very jealous of my peers who get to work in collections with incredible manuscripts especially the ones repaired with thread!! What an amazing thing to see in person.
Thank you so much for all these resources. I am also a mender. I recently retired my 24 year old cashmere robe because it needs so much mending, and I thought I was making a velvet robe to replace. Turns out I didn't have enough fabric for a robe and am making a jacket instead (almost finished!), so I'm considering bringing the robe out of retirement and doing more patching of it.
Oh I can't wait to see the velvet jacket! I have a very old cashmere sweater that I keep darning - it's rather full of mends now but it's so soft I just can't seem to retire it.
I love how you talk about extending the life of friends and family’s items! A local Buffalonian upholsterer repaired my very broken 10 year old couch during the snow storm and now it feels extra special. Even when it’s paid work, it’s like knowing someone kept the thing you use everyday in working order makes you feel more human.
Yes, there's such a human element to repair, I love that so much! It's funny you mentioned upholstery - my first real experience with repair happened when my mom got a chaise longue re-upholstered (in Buffalo!). I was about 8 or 9 and seeing this ruined-looking piece of furniture come back to us with a beautiful new fabric on it seemed like magic. It really opened my mind up to the possibilities.
I SHOULD darn all the holes in the cashmere robe, but I never learned how to do it properly, and now the robe is full of patches (cut from other old cashmere things). I'm ready to put the lining in the jacket now, so hopefully there will be pictures on Monday.
Such interesting research! I never realised what a rich vein mending was! Thank you for sharing :)
Thanks Kate, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
The historical photos really are so moving, and that book repair is fascinating.
I absolutely love to see mended garments in museum collections, it's such a tangible connection to the past! As an archivist who also helps manage an artifact collection, it's such a thrill to find something that has been repaired. Very jealous of my peers who get to work in collections with incredible manuscripts especially the ones repaired with thread!! What an amazing thing to see in person.
Ah, I always think it would be so incredible to see these items in person! I'm hoping I will one day.
The repaired manuscript is amazing!! Article so interesting, as always. Thank you. x
Thank you Judith!!
Thank you so much for all these resources. I am also a mender. I recently retired my 24 year old cashmere robe because it needs so much mending, and I thought I was making a velvet robe to replace. Turns out I didn't have enough fabric for a robe and am making a jacket instead (almost finished!), so I'm considering bringing the robe out of retirement and doing more patching of it.
Oh I can't wait to see the velvet jacket! I have a very old cashmere sweater that I keep darning - it's rather full of mends now but it's so soft I just can't seem to retire it.
I love how you talk about extending the life of friends and family’s items! A local Buffalonian upholsterer repaired my very broken 10 year old couch during the snow storm and now it feels extra special. Even when it’s paid work, it’s like knowing someone kept the thing you use everyday in working order makes you feel more human.
Yes, there's such a human element to repair, I love that so much! It's funny you mentioned upholstery - my first real experience with repair happened when my mom got a chaise longue re-upholstered (in Buffalo!). I was about 8 or 9 and seeing this ruined-looking piece of furniture come back to us with a beautiful new fabric on it seemed like magic. It really opened my mind up to the possibilities.
I found this fascinating Kelsey, thank you :)
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I SHOULD darn all the holes in the cashmere robe, but I never learned how to do it properly, and now the robe is full of patches (cut from other old cashmere things). I'm ready to put the lining in the jacket now, so hopefully there will be pictures on Monday.