#SECONDHANDSEPTEMBER INTERVIEW - CARE AND REPAIR WITH THAT PERFECT HOUR
When and why did you start working in textile care and repair?
I grew up in a family that repaired things. Clothes were mended, not because we couldn't afford new ones, but because mending makes sense. It wasn't any kind of revolutionary act, it was normal. Because of this influence, I think I repair things in the same vein - because I can.
What drew you to start rescuing unloved items that other people would normally overlook and repair them?
For me, it's all about the challenge of bringing a damaged item back to life. It brings me so much more satisfaction than purchasing something new. Each repair is a new challenge often both creatively and technically.
In this age of fast cheap fashion, care and repair seems like a radical act as it takes so much more time and effort rather than chucking something out that's damaged and buying something new. What are your thoughts on care and repair and the time that these take?
In my experience, the impact of mending is circular. I like to call this a 'mending mindset'. When I do buy clothing, I think about whether this is an item of clothing I want to spend my time mending in the future. If not, I won't buy it. This helps me be more considered in my purchases including fabric choice, expected longevity, timelessness of design etc. I don't want to spend time mending poor quality fabrics so I try not to buy them in the first place.
I grew up in a family that repaired things. Clothes were mended, not because we couldn't afford new ones, but because mending makes sense. It wasn't any kind of revolutionary act, it was normal. Because of this influence, I think I repair things in the same vein - because I can.
What drew you to start rescuing unloved items that other people would normally overlook and repair them?
For me, it's all about the challenge of bringing a damaged item back to life. It brings me so much more satisfaction than purchasing something new. Each repair is a new challenge often both creatively and technically.
In this age of fast cheap fashion, care and repair seems like a radical act as it takes so much more time and effort rather than chucking something out that's damaged and buying something new. What are your thoughts on care and repair and the time that these take?
In my experience, the impact of mending is circular. I like to call this a 'mending mindset'. When I do buy clothing, I think about whether this is an item of clothing I want to spend my time mending in the future. If not, I won't buy it. This helps me be more considered in my purchases including fabric choice, expected longevity, timelessness of design etc. I don't want to spend time mending poor quality fabrics so I try not to buy them in the first place.
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Where do you go to source your secondhand goods and repair supplies?
For repair, firstly, use what you have. Don't let the thought that you don't know the exact type of thread to use, stop you from mending the thing! Having said that, nice quality mending tools make the job easier and more enjoyable. Try Miss Maude for divine tools, Modern Mending for darning supplies and my shop, That Perfect Hour, for visible mending supplies. Second hand stores are a great source of buttons and vintage ribbons and trims. What are your thoughts about upcycling and repurposing old items? Why is it important that we start looking at how we, as a society, can reuse what already exists? It's important to keep in mind that op-shops/thrift stores do not generally have the resources to mend donated clothes. Poor quality or damaged donated clothing will often end up in landfill. Upcycling clothing is a great way to keep textiles out of landfill. Some of my favourite uses for worn textiles are making fabric gift wrap, produce bags and as patches for mending. When people are out secondhand clothes shopping, what advice can you give to around items that are damaged but worth saving and items that should be avoided? Consider the extent of the damage and whether you have the skill to do the mend yourself. If the garment needs a more complex mend consider whether you are prepared to pay a mending professional to fix it for you. Can you share some of your top tips for caring for your clothing so that it lasts longer and has creates environmental damage? I recommend washing in cold water and line drying. Handwashing silk and wool garments is a worthwhile investment of time. |
Photo credit: Hannah Webb Photography
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Can you share some of your top tips for repairing clothing so that people can save it from landfill?
You don't need a sewing machine or specialist tools for most simple repairs. Learning two or three basic hand sewing stitches will enable you to make many simple repairs. Getting to know your fabric also helps as stretch fabrics and non-stretch fabrics behave differently. My favourite tip is to be bold! If your garment is damaged, you can't make it worse by having a go at mending it.
Overconsumption and over production of new clothing is a huge global issue, particularly with landfills being drowned in textiles that are hardly used before they're discarded. Your creativity supports a welcome alternative to this throwaway culture, what are your thoughts on this issue?
Learning to mend your clothes helps put control back in your own hands. You don't 'need' to run out and replace your jeans when they tear, instead you can mend them and choose to replace your jeans if and when you choose to.
You don't need a sewing machine or specialist tools for most simple repairs. Learning two or three basic hand sewing stitches will enable you to make many simple repairs. Getting to know your fabric also helps as stretch fabrics and non-stretch fabrics behave differently. My favourite tip is to be bold! If your garment is damaged, you can't make it worse by having a go at mending it.
Overconsumption and over production of new clothing is a huge global issue, particularly with landfills being drowned in textiles that are hardly used before they're discarded. Your creativity supports a welcome alternative to this throwaway culture, what are your thoughts on this issue?
Learning to mend your clothes helps put control back in your own hands. You don't 'need' to run out and replace your jeans when they tear, instead you can mend them and choose to replace your jeans if and when you choose to.
Renee Williams is a clothing repair advocate and mending enthusiast who owns That Perfect Hour, which sells mending kits and teaches clothes mending skills both in person and online, in and around Auckland, NZ. You can follow Renee on Instagram @thatperfecthour
Inspired to find pre-loved garments to practice your mending skills on? CLICK HERE to order a pre-sale copy of Collector's Anonymous, your handy glovebox sized guide that lists over 1500 antique, secondhand and charity stores around Aotearoa.
Inspired to find pre-loved garments to practice your mending skills on? CLICK HERE to order a pre-sale copy of Collector's Anonymous, your handy glovebox sized guide that lists over 1500 antique, secondhand and charity stores around Aotearoa.