Visible Mending

Eli Terry was a 19th-century clockmaker best remembered as a pioneer in manufacturing standardized parts. This innovation made clocks more accessible outside of wealthy households. Even at over 200 years old, some of Terry’s timepieces are still ticking in museum collections and on everyday mantelpieces. Spare parts are also still floating around. In fact, in 1983 a historian purchased components and was able to assemble a new, fully functional clock. Similarly, if one of the existing clocks stops working, the means of repair are at the ready.

And this is why I bring Terry’s clocks to your attention. Today, often when an item breaks down, the solution is to dispose of and replace it. However, I believe the things we make should be more infinitely repairable. Refrigerators, phones, cars, and clothes, should be made with repairability and longevity built-in.

The only category within my current ability to repair is textiles.

In 2015 moths came home with me on a thrifted sweater and wreaked havoc on my knitwear. Not ready to part ways with all of my now holey sweaters, at first, I focused on carefully matched, discrete darns but quickly discovered that by playing with the shape, size, color, and method of mend I could go beyond repair, making the garment feel fresh and distinct.

Through the act of mending, I have developed a greater appreciation for the labor and resources that go into each garment before making their way to my closet. Extending the life of clothing is the best way to limit the use of new resources and to have a truly sustainable wardrobe.

I admit, clothing is relatively easy to repair. The spare parts are string and maybe a scrap of fabric. But even with more complex items, mass manufacture doesn’t have to mean cheap and disposable. It can be a tool for making items that invite repair instead of replacement.

Much would have to go into such an overhaul. And I know that won’t happen overnight. In the meantime, I'll continue to advocate for repairability through my visible mends. Who knows, maybe I’ll dabble in some other types of mending— watch this space for a patched-up refrigerator or maybe a darned car bumper…