Embroidery As a Repair Tool
Let’s discuss how art can serve one of many practical purposes: clothing repair.
This fishing lure-inspired piece disguises a massive stain blob.
The other day, my partner got spray insulation (that puffy industrial material that protects your house and therefore is not meant to come off anything easily) on one of his favorite flannels. Since removing the stain was impossible, the opportunity presented itself to make some art. After 30 minutes of improvised stitching, a handful of French Knots and Satin Stitches covered the majority of the stain.
In the time lapse below, you can see the insulation slowly disappearing with bursts of new color.
Like covering an old tattoo with a new one that suits the wearer’s updated preferences, embroidery builds new layers off of past ones. Rather than remove the problem, one acknowledges it and moves forward.
Sometimes, embroidering new layers not only covers up past mistakes, but it also repairs them.
Recently, a client dropped off a beautifully knit sweater with a hole on its collar. Traditionally, patches repair holes. On ripped jeans, for example, patches in various fabrics create a dynamic appearance. However, what if you don’t want something that looks like a fabric band-aid? What if you could repair a hole and have no one know of its existence? Enter: embroidery.
Within minutes of stitching, the hole had disappeared. In its place stood a simple floral design. The stitches I wielded are Chain Stitch, French Knots, and Satin Stitch, all of which are covered in my Intro Stitching Class.
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.
It gives me a lot of joy to repair these beloved items. If you have a fabric item, clothing or otherwise, that could use some stain removal or hole repair, do not hesitate to reach out! I seek to provide my clients affordable repairs with content that suits their interests.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my work! I would love to hear your thoughts and inquiries. Please share below.