Mending Clothes

Our clothes play an essential role in life. What we wear allows for self-expression, provides comfort, and helps us feel prepared for day-to-day activities. Whether receiving a piece as a gift, traveling to the mall, or heading to an online store, adding to our closets is exciting. However, what do you do when a loose button on jeans or a tear in your child’s favorite jacket causes that piece not to fit quite the same? Rather than saying goodbye to old, damaged clothing, help the environment by choosing to mend and repair them!

We live in a world of fast fashion, which is defined as inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends. The average consumer now buys 65 percent more garments than just 15 years ago! Pieces are sold in larger quantities at a lower, quickly-produced quality. Not only does it become costly to keep up with the fast-changing trend cycle, but buying and throwing out clothes hurts our planet. 

The fashion industry produces about 10 percent of annual global carbon emissions, more than all maritime shipping and international flights combined. Habitats are often cleared for commercially-grown cotton, and synthetic fertilizers and chemical dyes have been proven to negatively impact surrounding ecosystems. So, how do we make progress toward sustainable fashion? Pick up the art of mending clothes!

Surveys show that nearly 60 percent of the world’s population has never sewed. This number continues to shrink as fewer K-12 students receive the once-common home economics lessons about sewing and stitching. With a bit of practice, you can learn to repair your favorite pieces. These days, there are many tutorials and guides to get you started. While it may help with more oversized items, a sewing machine isn’t necessary, and a simple starter kit can get the job done. Encourage friends and family to be involved, too! You can learn from one another, share supplies, and explore creative fashion with your upgrades. 

So, the next time you consider heading to the store to replace damaged clothes, consider picking up the environmentally-friendly art of mending and sewing. 

Did you learn something new? Please take a moment to answer this short survey.