Archive * No. 020: Nothing Wasted
This issue features visible mending and ways to use every bit of that condiment jar.
A goal of mine this year is to fix and reuse more of what I already have instead of adding more stuff. I look up to people in my life who are really intentional about what they buy, and while I’m not perfectly there yet, I thought I’d share some of the things inspiring me right now.
SOURCE MATERIAL
✦ Visible mending
I love the look and meaning behind visible mending. Patchwork has been on trend for a minute now, so I’m sure that’s part of why I love this aesthetic, but visible marks of wear and repair are more than a trend. It embodies a love and tenderness that comes with the care of fixing your things.
It can be done in really cool ways! There’s the classic patchwork vibe (which I love), but also simpler, almost modern takes on mending that feel really unique.
Most visible mending techniques trace back to sashiko stitching, a Japanese method that began in the 1600s when fabric was scarce and every scrap was patched and reinforced. The word sashiko literally means “little stabs.” What started as practical repair became a craft in itself, with geometric patterns that made garments stronger and more beautiful.
This recent New York Times article has a great story about a group of Japanese women doing custom visible mending projects for luxury brands. Proof that what began as necessity still resonates today.
VISIBLE MENDING KITS
I’ve been following Lauren Gonzalez-Johnson on Instagram and TikTok for a minute now. She shares different visible mending techniques and how to fix holes or rips in your clothes. She’s @socorro.society on Instagram, and she sells her own mending kits on Etsy.
I bought one of her kits awhile back and honestly the hand stitching takes some time, but it’s a good project for when you’re watching TV or waiting somewhere.
A TIP FOR FREE/ CHEAP PATCHES FOR CLOTHING
Order free swatches from upholstery brands and use them as clothing patches!! When I worked in color and material design, I used to order tons of swatches for projects, usually from popular homeware companies. A lot of luxury brands will even send fabric samples for free (hoping you’ll buy something bigger, lol). I’ve kept a little hoard at home that I use for patching holes and other random projects. These are also usually high performance fabrics so good for denim and jacket repairs!
Free Fabric Swatches
HOUSE SPECIALS
✦ Never rise a jar
Wanted to share someone I’ve been obsessed with for a while on TikTok: Condiment Claire. She’s super cute and posts lots of recipe videos, but she’s best known for her series on finding second uses for “empty” condiment jars.
The series on TikTok that is a great little rabbit hole, with ideas like brewing tea in an almost-empty honey jar, mixing eggs with the last bits of pesto, using pickle brine to make more pickles, olive brine for martinis, or making salad dressing in the mustard jar. Simple tips that make sure you get the most out of your condiments and never waste a flavor.
@Condimentclaire on TikTok and
on Substack.
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She even turned the series into a cookbook (the latest edition came out this May). Highly recommend. COOKBOOK LINK
NOTES TO SELF
If you want to turn the tides you have to get in the water!
Fabric swatches for patchwork is smart. 🧠💋
Love the no rinsing! The more I thought about it the more I got excited. I’m gonna start by making tea in my almost empty honey jar very soon! 😍🙏