Creative Patching, Darning and Stitching
By Kristin. M. Roach creator of CraftLeftovers.com
Published by Storey Publishers
It is a rare and talented woman that can make the subject of mending interesting and even engaging. Kristen Roach has managed to do just that.
After a brief history of sewing there is a very pertinent chapter ‘To mend or Not to Mend’ the relevant questions are
o I love it?
Will someone else love it? How much time, money, and skill will it take? Is it a junk item? Is the fabric high quality? Is the rest of the garment in good condition? Is the area to be mended stretched or distorted? Frayed? Is the fabric easy to work with?
This chapter is followed by Helpful Hints for Mending, tool kits and stitches.
Patchwork, embroidery, skirt shortening and lengthening, are all covered as are replacing zips, machine and hand darning and using elastic.
Amongst the very useful projects are how to fit a hidden pocket, a button patch pocket. There is a lovely mend of a child’s jacket using a star motif. There are solutions for stains and ways to embellish using sequins and beads.































Juliet Bawden is a London-based designer maker, published author and craft blogger. She edits the Creative Salvage blog while juggling her publishing activities, interiors business, consultancy work, her four mad kids, one architect husband and a dog!



