Make Do & Mend
Katie Ebben
In A Nutshell: A slim book but full of ideas for reusing and reinventing old clothes with basic sewing techniques
This book was first published in 2005, and it was probably a touch ahead of its time. Its philosophy is about taking a “creative and resourceful approach to life, learning to recycle your possessions, and not discarding them until they really have outlived their usefulness.” In the current economic downtown, even the most ardent shoppers are forced to re-evaluate their habits and consider a more make do and mend approach.
Katie Ebben attempts to modernise many traditional skills and covers techniques such as darning, hemming and patching. I thought the instructions for darning were very clear and helpful. This may sound a little dull and worthy but besides explaining basic techniques, this book is sprinkled with some lovely ideas. It contains 18 projects to wear and for the home, themed by trimming, patching, hemming, darning and disguising, customising and reinventing . Most are relatively simple, and should be achievable by anyone with basic sewing skills. So you can embellish a top with ribbon or sequins, make a patchwork cushion, or a floral appliqué skirt (not unlike one I bought from an expensive boutique). Of course, not all the projects are to my taste, but many spark ideas. I love the idea of “reusing elements of clothing in this manner is a way of keeping things you love around you. In this vein, the project I intend to make is reusing an old lace mini skirt to make an evening bag. I had many fantastic evenings wearing this skirt, but is now far too short for my forty something self. By remaking it, I can extend its life and hold onto the memories.
This is quite a slim volume, and my main complaint is that there is not enough in it.
