WHAT
Visible mending
How is it possible that things go into the washing machine ok and come out with a hole? I swear there are mice in there.
If you hate the idea of visible mending, I can do invisible too.
Embroidery
I use hand or machine embroidery to put your name, symbol or pattern on anything you like!
I've embroidered names onto smocks, face masks, aprons, school bags and dog blankets.
Sewn drawings
Has your child created a masterpiece? Or maybe just a drawing of the dog with a questionable number of legs?
I will transfer their picture into a sewn drawing on cushions, shopping bags, tea towels etc.
See more of my work on Instagram
Follow
Anyone else find darning therapeutic? π€
#darningsocks #sewingismytherapy #darning #oldbeforemytime
One of my favourite visible mends for a while ππ #visiblemending #ladybug #mothholerepair
Beautiful cashmere scarf that I never wear because it’s so big and I’m, well, so small….
What shall I make? π€
#inspiration #anyideas #feelingcreative #cashmere
From π³ to π§¦
#darning #darningsocks #favouritesocks #repairdontreplace #fixit #stripes #handmadeuk #socks
You know it’s hard when I’m using the slowest setting! π±
#promdresses #prom #dontmessitup
When your daughter teaches you to TikTok π€£
What do you do when the baby’s sleeping bag becomes her comforter? βοΈ
Simple ones are sometime the most satisfying π
Freedom to be creative! π¦
And relax...
#sunday #loveembroiderymag
Loving working with these curtains from @anthropologie
#curtainhack #anthropologie #anthropologiehome #anthropologieuk #greenandgold #greenandyellow #contrast #sewing #curtains #homemade #pompom #pompoms #tassles #girlie #thingsthatmakemehappy #thingsthatmakemesmile #treatyourself #sewinghacks #handsewn
Sunshine as I sew βοΈ
#letinthelight #sunshine #shinebright #sunny #sunnyday #wintersun #shadow #sunnyspot #sewingroom #sunshinyday #sewingproject #sewing #sewingweekender #sewmesomething #sew #sewingismytherapy #curtains
Ta-da!
Some thing are too perfect to change.
I kind of wanted to keep this jumper, it was the softest cashmere ever π€€
From husbands huge, moth-eaten jumper to my new favourite jumper! β€οΈ
#motheaten #mendingmatters #mending #mendfulness #makedoandmend #thrifting #dontthrowitaway #repair #repairdontreplace #ecofashion #sustainablefashion #sustainableliving #wool #makeitlast #lesswaste #nomorelandfillsofclothes
βοΈ Bringing some sun to this gloomy last day of 2020
(I forgot to take a “before” picture but you know what a hole looks like π)
#visiblemending #visiblemend #wool #sunshine #knit #repairknitwear #repairdontreplace #ecofashion #ecofriendlyliving #fixit #darning #repurposed
Pattern matched fix for some gorgeous handmade mittens @putmanspics
#handmade #handmadewithlove #handmadechristmas #handmadegifts #swissdarning #mittens #gloves #knitting #knittinglove #greenandwhite #winterfashion #fixit #repairdontreplace #repairdontdespair #lesswaste #nomorelandfill #christmasgifts #sustainablefashion #ecofashion
What winter beauties β€οΈ
Tricky but very rewarding repair to this beautiful Naval coat
#navy #navalhistory #uniform #americaneagle #repairdontreplace #repairs #darning #woolcoat #fixit #repair #buttons #buttonholes #button #heirloom #familyheirloom #familyheirlooms #sewnwithlove #scanfilthread #mendingwool
Today will be mainly fuelled by @moonroastcoffee π΄
(@moonroastcoffee - loving the logo! π¦)
#moonroastcoffee #supportlocalbusiness #supportlocal #hampshirebusiness #hampshire #butfirstcoffee #coffeelover #wholebean #wholebeancoffee #insomniaproblems #insomniac #cantsleep #fuelledbycoffee #owlsofinstagram #owllover #owllove
Personalised stockings ready for Father Christmas next week!!
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#personalisedgifts #personalised #personalisedchristmas #handmade #handmadewithlove #handmadegifts #handmadechristmas #handsewn #handsewing #handsewnwithlove #santascoming #mumoffour #bouncingoffthewalls #christmas #christmasdecor #christmasstockings #christmasstocking #dadoffour #embroidery #handembroidery #fatherchristmas #nicelist
Simple is sometimes best!
#simplepleasures #fixit #mendingmatters #mending #lesswaste #wintercoat #wintercoats #seamstress #seamstresslife #sewing #jukisewingmachine
Do my ears look big in this?
#frenchiesofinstagram #frenchiepuppy #frenchielove #dogsofinstagram #felt #handsewn #handmadewithlove #handmadegifts #handmade #embroidery #embroideryhoop #embroiderywork #homemade #homemadegifts #handmadechristmas #yellow
“Love glove” sounds all kinds of wrong so make up your own title for this visible mending and a very loved pair of gloves! π€
#sustainablefashion
#freudian #thinkbeforeyouspeak #slowfashion #slowfashionmovement #sustainableliving #ecofashion #repair #visiblemending #darning #makersgonnamake #favouritethings #gloves #circularfashion #repurposedfabric #repurposed #lesswaste #sewing #handmadewithlove #
I love the slow and steady process of French knot embroidery.
What colour would you want the hoop to be?
#makersgonnamake
#hoopart
#hoopartembroidery
#embroidery
#embroiderhappyhoops
#heytheremaker
#handmade
#handmadeisbetter
#handmadeisbest
#handmadeisbestmade
#meditativestitching
#shophandmadeuk
#instastitch
#stitchersofinstagram
#stitchersofig
#needlecraft
#frenchknots
#heart
#createandcraft
#dmcthreads
Kids are notoriously tough on their knees, especially when obsessed with playing dogs πΆ
#crawling #playtime #play #darning #darn #rippedknee #slowfashion #slowfashionmovement #slowfashionstyle #ecofashion #repairdontreplace #makedoandmend #ecofriendlyliving #leggings #handsewnwithlove #handsewn #handsewing #kidsclothes #kidsclothing #catsofinstagram #heart
Yesterday was a dreary grey day so @petersfieldcommunitygarden suggested some wildflowers to look forward to a new season.
Keep your suggestions coming, I’m loving the new ideas! ππ»
π¦ π» π π¦ π
#wildflowers #wildflowersofinstagram #embroidery #embroideryart #embroideryart #embroiderydesign #embroideryhoop #handsewn #handsewing #handsewnwithlove #handsew #naturalbeauty #linen #anchorthreads #dreamingofspring #dreamingofsummer #dreamingofsunshine
Do you remember that feeling at school when you were asked to write a story? I would sit there staring at the blank piece of paper, waiting for inspiration.
I’m having one of those moments now as I stare at this blank canvas.
Hit me with some creation ideas people! ππ»
#outofideas #cantthink #needinspiration #inspiration #makedoandmend #makersgonnamake #makersmovement #makersofinstagram #whatwillitbe #embroidery #embroideryart #embroideryhoop #embroiderydesign #textiledesign #textileart #textiles #handsewn #handsewing #handsewnwithlove
Amazing what you can make from scraps π¦ (why isn’t there a moth emoji?)
End result coming soon...
#butterfly #butterflies #textiledesign #textileart #craft #handmade #handmadewithlove #handsewn #handsewing #mothorbutterfly #moths #mothsofinstagram #butterfliesofinstagram #makingitupasigo #coloursofnature #contrast #textileoftheday #textile #textileartist
My happy place!
Using up some leftover material to make a Christmas apron π
#jukisewingmachine #juki #handmade #handmadewithlove #handmadegifts #handmadecrafts #christmas #christmasgifts #christmasgiftsideas #christmasapron #pockets #sewing #sewingproject #sewingismytherapy #sewingmachine #sewingmakesmehappy #fabricscraps
Thank you @getstamped.co.uk for my amazing stamp! My owl now has his own little nest π
Get stamped plant a tree for every purchase and only use ethically sourced materials. Win-win!! π
#getstamped #getstampeduk #branding #ethicallysourced #plantatree #brandvalue #slowfashion
See, I can do invisible to!
#visiblemending #cashmere #cashmeresweater #repair #repairdontreplace #handsewn #handsewing #handsewnwithlove #knitting #hole #moths #darning #darn
Playing around with French knots using wool. Can’t decide if I like it or it’s messy?
#frenchknots #frenchknot #frenchknotstitch #embroidery #handsewn #handsewnwithlove #christmas #christmastree #christmascrafts #dontknowifilikeit #embroideryhoop #embroideryart #itsnotevendecember #itsnotchristmasyet #bandwagon
Because school trousers and bikes don’t mix! π€£
#mumproblems #dadproblems #kids #slowfashion #darning #fixit #repairdontreplace #handsewn #handsewing #kidsdontlisten #kneepatch #lesswaste
This was a tricky one as the shiny, waterproof-ness (new word!) made it tricky to get a neat finish.
Made a patch in the end. First one I cocked up by looking at the tv and not what I was doing but the second one turned out even better! π¦
#makedoandmend #makedo #fix #fixerupper #fixit #patch #repairdontreplace #repair #repairculture #embroidery #handmade #handmadewithlove #handembroidery #fox #orange #handstitched #handsewn #handsewing
Pretty mend for this little girls favourite trousers π₯°
#visiblemending #patchitup #patchit #embroidery #embroideryart #embroiderydesign #hearts #handmade #handmadewithlove #handsewn #handsewnwithlove #handsewing #slowfashion #repair #repairdontreplace #lesswaste
Had to fight the urge to do a pretty pattern on this one!!
#visiblemending #repair #repairculture #repairdontreplace #sustainablefashion #sustainableliving #sustainableclothing #darning #sewing #sewingproject #sewingsos #favouritedress #lesswaste #slowfashion #slowfashionmovement
Visible mending inspired by autumn leaves
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π
#visiblemending #visiblemend #autumn #autumnvibesπ #embroidery #leaves #leavesπ #inspiration #slowfashion #slowfashionmovement #slowfashionstyle #repair #repairdontreplace #lesswaste #repairandwear #knitting #fixit #handmade #handmadewithlove #handstitched
Can’t let these old comfies be forgotten about β€οΈ
#visiblemending #fixit #repairandwear #mendit #handstitched #handstitching #sashiko #sashikomending #sashikostitching #pyjamas #lesswaste #slowfashion
Sweet little sewn drawing onto a t-shirt π₯
#judo #judotraining #embroidery #handstitched #handstitching #handstitch #kidsdrawing #kidsdrawings #makedoandmend #bespoke #kidsclothes #designyourown
Loved doing this little French knot heart to cover a stain β€οΈ
#frenchknots #frenchknot #frenchknotstitch #heart #embroidery #slowfashion #slowfashionmovement #nomorewaste #makeclotheslast #fixit #repairit #repairitandwearit #darning #staincoverup #heart #rainbow #embroideryhoop
Thank you me for my present (oh, and you @getstamped.co.uk π€£)
Quick people, order something from me so I can use it!
#owlsofinstagram #owlart #barnowl #owllover #slowfashion #slowfashionmovement #makedoandmend #repairdontreplace #fixit #mendit #darning #visiblemending #getstamped #getstampeduk #branding #newtoy #presenttomyself
Thank you @getstamped.co.uk for my present to myself! I love it! And it even arrived it’s it’s own little nest π¦
Quick people, order something so I can use my new toy!! π€£
#slowfashion #getstamped #getstampeduk #branding #newtoy #presentformyself #squeal #owlsofinstagram #barnowl #makedoandmend #darning #fixit #fixerupper #repairdontreplace
Simple ones are sometimes the most satisfying π
#favouritejumper #winteriscoming #wool #knitted #knittedjumper #winterclothes #repair #makedoandmend #swissdarning #hole #beforeandafter #slowfashion #slowfashionmovement #repairdontreplace
Delighted (and a bit terrified) to repair this family heirloom in time for the new arrival πΆπ»
#dontfuckitup #swissdarning #repair #repairdontreplace #heirloom #grannymadeit #knitting #knittingaddiction #babygirl #babyclothes #darning #heart #slowfashion #lesswaste
Quick fix on some very tired oven gloves.
#threadbare #darning #ovengloves #fixit #repairdontreplace #slowfashion #makedoandmend #quickfix
Because there’s nothing better than your favourite Ugg boots π
#ugg #uggs #uggslippers #uggboots #sheepskin #reapir #repairclothes #repairculture #repairdontreplace #makedoandmend #slowfashion #slowfashionmovement #nomorelandfill #fixit
Do you have a little one who is anxious to go into nursery or school? How about one of these secret hearts?
You kiss it (and them obvs!) goodbye in the morning and they have a piece of you with them all day β€οΈ
Shhhh, no one else knows! π€«
#schoolanxiety #school #schooluniform #children #separationanxiety #nursery #pieceofme #goodbyekiss #partingissuchsweetsorrow #dontwanttogotoschool #schoolrefusal #preschool #secret #motherknowsbest
Rainy days βοΈ are a perfect excuse to make with some scraps!!
βοΈ
π§΅
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#patchwork #makedoandmend #makedo #crafts #crafting #textiledesign #textileart #textiles #whatshallimake #butterfly #handmade #handmadewithlove
Interested to see how this sweetie survives the wash π¬π€·π»βοΈ
#darning #weaving #visiblemending #repair #repairdontreplace #mend #makedoandmend #makedo #sweets #purple #nomorelandfill #keepitoutofthelandfill #wecanfixit
I don’t know HOW anyone in my household can rip a towel but here we are π€·π»βοΈ
#darning #sewing #sewingismytherapy #sewingproject #simplefix #makedoandmend #repair #repairdontreplace #slowfashion #slowfashionmovement #fixerupper
I think my husband might be the fussiest client I’ve made something for! π
@joinery33
#facemask #branding #bespoke #handmade #handmadewithlove #handmademasks #brandedclothes #brandedmask #embroidery #husband #family #lockdown #lockdown2 #lockdown2020 #makedoandmend
Satisfaction π
Recycled thread when these run out though @guetermann_creativ_uk
What do you do with your old plastic reels?
#cottonreel #cotton #gutermannthread #recycledfashion #recycled #sewingbox #organisation #colourorder #makesmehappy #neat #sewing #sewingproject #makedoandmend
I wonder what happened to all these gowns we made?
#ppe #covid_19 #covid #scrubs #protectthenhs #reuse #reusereducerecycle #slowfashion #landfill
I wish I could take this mirror home with me!
#epiccenteramsterdam #youlookingatme #selfie #reflection #badselfie #badselfies #worktrip #lifebeforecovid19 #lifebeforecorona
Autumn colour inspiration
#autumn #autumnvibesπ #autumncolours #inspiration #sewingproject #makedoandmend #superga #uk #bepresent
Step away from the scissors!
#sewing #sewingproject #sew #sewingscissors #donttouchmysewingscissors #makedoandmend #slowfashion
I love how fleece fabric can hide my messy edges!
#darning #darn #embroidery #repair #fastfashion #landfill #fixit #repairdontreplace #sewing #sewingproject #sustainablefashion #sustainability #sustainableliving #sustainableclothing #lesswaste
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WHY
Less Waste
My aim is simple, to stop throwing things away and to repair or repurpose them instead.
Recycle
I will always use repurposed, recycled and donated wool or thread if possible.
Love
I love sewing, and the feeling of sinking into your favourite jumper like you're actually wearing a hug.
WHO
The name 'darn owl' comes from my nerdy obession with owls. I was lucky enough to grow up in the West Sussex countryside and frequently saw barn owls flying around the fields.
ο»Ώ
Plus, I have an inability to sleep recently so feel even more attached to these noctural beauties!
I'm only 4 foot 10 inches tall (148cm) which, as I'm often reminded by my children, is "really small for a grown-up". My excuse is that I'm not a real grown up and I got stuck somewhere on the journey to adulthood!
I've always had to know how to sew; to take up trousers the obligatory 5 inches, shorten sleeves, or make a skirt look nice instead of matronly! On the plus side though, 3/4 length trousers are the perfect length on me, your midi skirt is my maxi, and I can ask attractive men to reach things down for me at the supermarket (shh, dont tell my husband!).
I had a bit of an epiphany the other day. Another mum on the school run had a jumper on that I loved, and I had
to have it. I got home, ordered it online for £17 and it arrived the next day.
I am the least trendy person ever (probably just proven by using the word 'trendy') and thought that the whole 'fast fashion' thing didn't affect me but I realise now that it does.
So, I made a promise to myself that I would keep that jumper forever, mend it when it wears thin, pack it away for a few years when I go off it, and keep it out of landfill.
So that's my mission - to try and do my little bit to keep clothes and all sorts of textiles out of landfill one item at a time.
Send me a message
Have something that needs a bit of love? Message me to see what I can do to help.
