Zoe Edwards - Mend it, Wear it, Love it!

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Todays rapid cycle of production, buying, and disposal of clothing impairs our ability to feel satisfied and connected with our wardrobes. Its time for a new, slower approach to repairing clothes and to cherishing what we have.

The fundamental source of happiness is relationships. So, its time to build a healthier relationship with our wardrobes. Lets push back against the concept that pleasure can only be found in the next new thing.

This book gives you the skills to create and update your own sustainable wardrobe of outfits based on what you already own.

Clothes shopping habits

Over the past decades, the speed at which we collectively buy, use, and discard clothing has accelerated dramatically. Research by Greenpeace shows that we consume 60 per cent more clothing than we did even 15 years ago. And, according to Dana Thomass book Fashionopolis, shoppers buy five times more clothing than they did in the 1980s thats about 68 items a year; plus, the UK buys more clothes than any other country in Europe.

Whats in your wardrobe?

Its time to analyze the clothing you already have. You may be surprised. An estimated 30 billion of unused clothing hangs in UK wardrobes a massive waste of money. And what we do wear, we use only about seven times before we throw it away. We have entered a state of permanent dissatisfaction with the clothing that we own, and weve been encouraged to believe the only way to move forward is to have a clear out and buy yet more clothes.

Bucking the trend

Well, how about you seek satisfaction and joy in the things you already have, instead? Come on a journey to rediscover and reconnect with your existing wardrobe. Its hard to build relationships with items that are as ever-changing as the contents of your fridge. So, establish a status quo and resist the urge to buy anything new for now. Youll need time and brain space to move towards a more fulfilling connection with your clothes.

According to Fashionopolis, shoppers buy five times more clothing now than they did in the 1980s.

When you take the time and effort to repair or improve a garment, you will value it and, more importantly, enjoy wearing it.

What needs mending or fixing?

First, you need to identify which items youre just not wearing any more. With these garments separated out, its time to figure out what the problems are so you can address them. For some, the issues will be obvious: the hem is hanging down in one place or a strategic button popped off, for example. With others, the problems will be harder to identify; they always felt meh.

If the reason why youre not wearing a particular garment isnt glaringly obvious, perhaps you need a prompt. Leaf through the inspirational ideas within this book to see if switching up the buttons is whats needed or if adding new pockets or removing sleeves is the way to go. Whatever you decide, this book gives you the practical know-how to rework those items and bring them back into regular wardrobe rotation.

Sewing novices welcome

Panic not: no prior knowledge or experience of sewing is required. This book starts at the very beginning, by providing a guide to the essential pieces of kit you need. With clear explanations and illustrations, it will lead you through each step to fix common clothing malfunctions, as well as to apply clever alteration techniques. You dont need a sewing machine, but if you have access to one there are helpful tips to get you started and suitable alternatives where possible.

Satisfaction, guaranteed

Once youve mended your first item, you can go on to bring new life to other unloved garments. When you take the small amount of time and effort to repair or improve a garment, you will value it and, more importantly, enjoy wearing it. The benefits of learning and developing new skills and taking the time to focus on completing a task using your hands will be fully felt.

Learning new skills doesnt stop with mending and customizing clothes. Be sure to read the all-important sections on caring for and storing your clothes.

So, what are you waiting for? Just remember to take it slow!