Photo credit: Gabriela Silveira

I came to repair work through my MFA in Textiles at Edinburgh College of Art, and learning about the impact that textile and garment production has on human lives and ecosystems globally. My goal was to design clothing in opposition to the industry standard of speed and scale, so I focussed on slow traditional crafts such as natural dyeing/printing, patchwork, and hand quilting to create a small collection of bespoke garments. At this time, repair was just part of my research and future plan for these items. Now I’ve completely moved away from making anything new, and mending is the core of my craft practice.

Since graduating, I’ve worked as a repair specialist for TOAST for over 5 years, mending their customers' garments, revamping damaged stock for their ‘Renewed’ collections and occasionally running workshops online and in person. Here I’ve deepened my repair skills and knowledge, especially with knitwear, workwear, linen and jersey garments, mostly mending by hand, sometimes machine. Alongside this, I slowly began working freelance, taking on repair commissions on a case by case basis, allowing me to work more closely with each customer and take on more cherished heirloom pieces.

Now with Overstory Mending my aim is to provide a repair service that is a collaborative and special experience for each customer. My work is always carefully considered, practical, sensitive to your wants and needs, and as creative as you wish. I love that each mend is an opportunity to play with patterns and colour to create something exciting and unique however, the main goal is to get you using your much-loved item again in a way that works best for you.

If you have something waiting for a new lease of life, have a peek at the full details of the mending service here.