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A review by sookie13
Mending Life: A Handbook for Repairing Clothes and Hearts by Nina Montenegro, Sonya Montenegro
5.0
This book is the best source on mending out of the several I've read lately. I wanted to find the most encompassing reference book to have on hand in my home, so that I have it when needed, because regardless of my long-cultivated sewing skills, I'm always learning something new or needing a refresher, and I wanted to have a source for my children to go to, so they too can learn these skills.
Nina provides very clear diagrams and illustrations for all types of stitches and repair methods, with detailed explanations in the text. Especially when it comes to doing something like this, having clear diagrams is essential and hers are excellent. She covers how to mend all kinds of items, from denim to socks to the tips of gloves to ripstop fabric used in down jackets and heavy-duty winter clothing. And with the tool overview, I finally learned that what I thought was a darning egg that used to be my grandmother's, is in fact a darning gourd and has multiple applications for usage. All other mending books hadn't even mentioned that there are at least three shapes/versions of this kind of tool.
The part I really loved about this book though, is the instructions on *invisible* mending. Visible mending is very much the hot thing now, to make repairs noticeable, but that's not for everybody. Say you have a nice dress shirt used for the office and it gets a small tear- no need to break out the embroidery thread. Or the crotch/bottom of your favorite pants is looking rather thin- it seems like overkill to slap a colorful and perhaps too bulky patch on it when there aren't any holes yet, and you just want to strengthen that weak area. Plus how to do a proper hem! And even taking in the seams on too baggy clothing- immensely useful! She covers all of that.
The illustrations not having to do with diagrams throughout are very charming, and I loved the personal stories added in as well. It gives you a feeling of soothing accomplishment and emotional connection to the act of repairing your clothing. Really an awesome publication.
Nina provides very clear diagrams and illustrations for all types of stitches and repair methods, with detailed explanations in the text. Especially when it comes to doing something like this, having clear diagrams is essential and hers are excellent. She covers how to mend all kinds of items, from denim to socks to the tips of gloves to ripstop fabric used in down jackets and heavy-duty winter clothing. And with the tool overview, I finally learned that what I thought was a darning egg that used to be my grandmother's, is in fact a darning gourd and has multiple applications for usage. All other mending books hadn't even mentioned that there are at least three shapes/versions of this kind of tool.
The part I really loved about this book though, is the instructions on *invisible* mending. Visible mending is very much the hot thing now, to make repairs noticeable, but that's not for everybody. Say you have a nice dress shirt used for the office and it gets a small tear- no need to break out the embroidery thread. Or the crotch/bottom of your favorite pants is looking rather thin- it seems like overkill to slap a colorful and perhaps too bulky patch on it when there aren't any holes yet, and you just want to strengthen that weak area. Plus how to do a proper hem! And even taking in the seams on too baggy clothing- immensely useful! She covers all of that.
The illustrations not having to do with diagrams throughout are very charming, and I loved the personal stories added in as well. It gives you a feeling of soothing accomplishment and emotional connection to the act of repairing your clothing. Really an awesome publication.