Trend Alert: Visible Mending All Over the House

For years now we’ve been watching the visible mending movement make inroads in the world of fashion: Inventive patching has become a celebrated part of everyday wardrobe care. It’s an antidote to throw-away consumerism of all sorts, but has been perplexingly slow to extend beyond the closet.

In decades past, people mended and darned all of their textiles, holey pillowcases, ragged towels, moth-eaten blankets, and puppy-chewed chair arms included. Now, worn goods get escorted out with the trash. But shoring up frazzled objects is often simple, as you’ll see in the ten examples below, and not only keeps them in use but adds charm: Who doesn’t love handmade detailing and Velveteen Rabbit-esque signs of care? In other words, tears should be seen as opportunities.

The good news is we’ve begun to notice personalized upgrades in favorite rooms we’ve featured of late. This is just the start, but we anticipate a patches-on-everything trend ahead—and we’re looking forward to it.

N.B.: A great resource on textiles, including the latest books and workshops on mending, is Tatter and its Brooklyn textile library, Blue.

Justine notes: “There are many ways to patch: Use a complementary or contrasting color and sew the patch on the outside for a visible mend (to create a smooth edge, fold under all four sides, iron in place, and trim bulky corners); or sew matching fabric on the inside of a hole for a subtler fix. You can also experiment with different kinds of stitching, such as the Japanese geometric embroidery stitch called sashiko, which translates as “little stabs.” Photograph by Justine Hand for Remodelista.

For patchwork inspiration, take a look at The Great American Patchwork Comeback and Pojagi: Stitched Patchwork Window Coverings.

More easy household fixes:

• Canvas Drop Cloths as Instant Decor
• 11 Zero-Cost Room-Changing Ideas
• The Free Remodel: Carmella’s 7-Step Plan to Clutter-Free Living