fairdare :: care for + repair

This transitional time in the seasons has many of us thinking about a transition in our closets. It's a great time to care for + repair each piece before putting it away...in order to ensure that it will serve us again in the (far off) months to come.  :)

I put away my wool + cashmere sweaters a few weeks ago. It was probably a little early, but I felt like it was time. This week, I'm putting my sweater coat to rest for the warmer months. This sweater coat is six years old, I think. It has held up very well, but before putting it away, I do look it over carefully to see if there are any new little holes in the wool. The dark color hides the repairs very well. (Yay!)  

Once the holes are stitched up, this coat is stored along with the rest of my wool + cold weather pieces in my suitcase (a hard sided carry-on) along with some homemade, dried lavender filled sachets. (I find no need to remake or refill these yearly...a few little squeezes + the scent revives wonderfully year after year.) This suitcase is air-tight + protects my treasures from moths. We do the same with the girls' cold weather items (in their suitcases).

Patches are another favorite repair around here. I have to admit that we get a little excited to add a patch, because they often just makes things better.  :) (This is Jo's handiwork on a thrifted jacket.)

Repaired shoes + boots make me so happy! New soles can make leather boots practically like new. It feels like magic to me, because I don't quite understand how it is done. These thrifted boots of Jo's were resoled three years ago + are still in heavy rotation. I'm always incredibly happy to support a talented, local cobbler who takes pride in his or her work.

A little more inspiration:
I enjoyed this article about repair cafes! Wish we had one.
This mending zine is written by a couple of well-practiced mending experts.

Bottom line: Take care of it + keep on wearing it!

Love,
​Jane