Image: One of my first wobbly visible mends a few years ago (I started with a duvet cover).

I know! Fixing your clothes can be intimidating. All those intricate stitches, fiddly bits and sharp objects. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Want to know the best way to overcome the intimidation? Make a start.

Honestly, it’s a great feeling giving something a second life with your own hands, even better in company when everyone else is muddling through their mends too.

That’s one of the reasons I started Fix Club; to help take the edge off the fear of trying by creating a warm, supportive community that’s open to questions, mistakes and problem solving. We bring together wannabee-menders, experienced sewists, cups of tea, biscuits, chats, and plenty of technical and moral mending support.

“I really enjoyed being able to do some very basic patching and feeling supported and not at all judged! I am inspired to try and imperfectly fix rather than throw away clothes.”

- Leila

Not sure if it’s for you? Below I share a few tips and ideas of what to expect.

1. Start small and simple

Start with a simple fabric patch to cover a small hole in a t-shirt, jeans or a sheet, ideally something you don’t love too much (just in case)... Re-attaching a strap or button is another good starter project to build confidence, as is sewing up a split seam.

As pro-repairer Skye from the wonderful Slow Stitch Club says:

“It can be intimidating to make the first stitch, but don't forget that the damage is already done; this garment you're choosing to mend is probably stuck at the bottom of your wardrobe not being worn right now because of a tear or stain or hole.

So, even if your stitches are super wonky, if you mend a hole and are able to wear the garment again then that is a huge win! Mended is better than perfect.”

2. Seek inspiration

Textile inspiration is everywhere. Keep an eye out for pleasing colour combinations, interesting techniques, textures, different stitch types and threads… take screen grabs, save links, start a scrap book… No matter where you find your inspo, becoming more aware of what’s possible when it comes to mending your things can help you decide what you want to achieve.

You can also browse our beautiful selection of mending books at a Fix Club session.

“It was lovely to meet other people interested in mending clothes and learn from their experience. Fix Club was also a reminder that mending can be a relaxing way to spend an evening, rather than just another chore to get out of the way.

“Watching other people work made me interested in learning new techniques that I never would have considered otherwise”.

– Dylan

3. Focus on visible mending

Visible mending – as opposed to its trickier sister, Invisible mending – is a fun, creative and forgiving way to get started. Colourful woven darns, bright embroidered stars, circles and hearts, graphic fabric patches that highlight a particular part of an excellent pattern… there are so many ways to use what you already have to transform a holey t-shirt into something that’s a delight to wear once more.

For a whole load of examples, search #visiblemending on Instagram.

4. Just make a start.

You’ll find once you’ve made your first mend, everything feels that bit more doable. Warning: it can be addictive.

“The biggest takeaway for me was that I’ve found it easier to pick up a needle and thread since - and been mending more readily on the go - a tent hole here, a teddy’s bottom there, and various holey children’s clothes… it feels great not to be giving clothes to rag unnecessarily.”

– Joanna

So. Book yourself a ticket, get it in the calendar, and we’ll see you there. Ask a friend to come along too – the more the merrier. (You’ll find details to all upcoming events on the homepage).

Any questions?

Check out the Fix Club page for more details. If you can’t find the answer to your question there, please pop me an email and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!

Fix Club for beginners