FURTHER READING: PATCHING & MENDING
Hello there! If you found this page, you likely came from my minizine on patching! Below, you will find more resources for sewing, patching, and learning about fast-fashion. Will probably get updated periodically!
FAST FASHION CRASH COURSE
In 2018 the US alone produced 12,970 tons of garments and discarded 9,070 tons into landfills (EPA). Textile waste is a HUGE global problem. Google "clothing graveyards" if you want to get really upset.
- Here's a Britannica article about fast fashion.
- What common fabrics are actually synthetic?
- Long-term effects of synthetic fabrics on the environment and on us
PATCHING
The history patching varies depending on who you ask, but the tradition I follow descends from crust punk, a spin off of the punk movement of the 1980s. Although you don't have to be punk to patch your clothes, it's good to learn the history of the practices you are using to express yourself! Punk practices can include teaching friends to sew, utilizing library resources, creating zines on things you're interested in, and listening to local bands :)
A note on embroidered patches:
Embroidered patches are not easy to DIY. They are good to sew or iron onto heavier, canvas-like fabrics (like backpacks or totes), and on garments only in places that don't move, bend, or take a lot of stress. They are not a good option for repairing holes and can be uncomfortable on garments close to the skin because of their stiffness.
MATERIALS
Where to find materials in the Bay Area!
SCRAP
Secondhand art supply warehouse. Inventory varies, usually has a large fabric selection. Very cheap.
- https://www.scrap-sf.org/
- 2150 Newcomb Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124
The Fábrica
Fabric collective. Sometimes has community classes. Pay-what-you-can/donation-run.
- https://thefabricaworkshop.org/
- 703 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Your Local Cheap Secondhand Clothing Store:
Avoid vintage, consignment, or trendy/upscale/gentrified thrift stores. You'll get upcharged, and you probably don't want to take apart a really nice vintage piece just for parts.
- Japantown: 1669 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115
- Haight: 1700 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
- 3921 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118
Goodwill
Salvation Army
DIGITAL RESOURCES
Some sewists I follow who do tutorials or show their processes.
Most of these have an emphasis on historical clothing/sewing techniques because that's what I'm interested in!
- littleblossomdarling: Amateur sewist & fashion historian specializing in 18th century European women's clothing
- toofbrush: Darning, visible mending, & sashiko instruction
- Rachel Maksy: Sewer, cosplayer, DIYer
- Ora Lin: Historical sewing pattern maker, particularly for 19th century European wear and 200-950CE Chinese Hanfu!
- Abby Cox: American sewist specializing in 19th century European women's fashion history & pop culture references to historical clothing.
- Bernadette Banner: American sewist specializing in costume analysis & fashion history.
- FashionEnemy: Some old tutorials on how to diy screenprinting and spraypaint stencils!
If you liked this page, or want to learn more about patching or DIY, some good search terminology to start out with is "mending sewing diy." To find more punk resources, start out with "diy punk patching." AVOID sites that are selling you something! If amazon or etsy has it, you can make it yourself.
If you know of a resource or location you think would benefit this page, email me at oliveoilandbalsamic@proton.me!