Patchwork and Patches and Needles, Oh My!
Alright, we need to talk about patches.
Many of us seem to be under the impression that patchwork just isn’t a viable, worthwhile solution to our clothing conundrums. It’s an unfortunate, albeit somewhat understandable, sentiment. Maybe we heard our elementary school teachers refer to something disparagingly as a “patch job,” and we let the messaging soak in too deep. Maybe a charming salesman suckered us in with that time-honored adage “new is always better,” and we forgot that he was more interested in his commission than in safeguarding the planet. Where do our presuppositions in life come from? Your guess is as good as mine.
Whatever the case, in light of our growing textile waste problem, it’s necessary for all of us to reevaluate these preconceived notions. The fashion industry – primarily Fast Fashion currently accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions. When you drill down into the statistics of textile waste, this is no surprise: Over 11 million tons of textiles end up in US landfills each year. By that estimation, the average US consumer is throwing around 81.5 pounds of clothes into the garbage annually.
It doesn’t take a math whiz to realize that those numbers are seriously, seriously, seriously unsustainable. Even I, a former English major and self-purported non-numbers person, can see the writing on the wall.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Sure, there’s a challenge before us, one that will require all of us to fix. But therein lies the opportunity – and the fun – to unite around sustainable fashion practices and help keep the Earth, and everybody on it, healthy and happy for years to come. Very few things balance the opportunity of sustainability with creative fun quite like patches, patchwork, and embroidery.
For one thing, patches extend the life cycle of clothing items. When rips, holes, or stains threaten to render a piece of clothing “unusable,” patches and needlework jump to the rescue like cartoon superheroes. As a relatively easy, inexpensive fix to general wear and tear – one of the primary reasons people throw away their clothing items – patches keep fabrics out of landfills while also preventing additional clothing purchases. Now that’s a win-win if you ask me.
Beyond simply repairing worn out fabrics, patchwork can make everyday fashion pieces more customizable. Through embroidered patches and unique needlework, you can add a personal touch to clothing, accessories, backpacks, quilts, or other commonly used fabrics in your life. That’s part of the beauty of patchwork – a patch can reenergize a piece of clothing, transforming a back-of-the-closet garment into something you feel excited to wear. Tired of your rundown denim jacket? Add a few custom patches to the back and sleeves and give it another run out.
Sashiko – a technique of embroidery repair that originated in Japan in the 19th century – is an excellent example of how patchwork and embroidery marry sustainability with beauty. A visible mending technique that traditionally uses white cotton or silk thread to reinforce points of wear, sashiko creates striking patterns across well-worn fabrics. By adding additional thread to areas most likely to rip or tear, sashiko prolongs a fabric’s life while also providing an opportunity for stylization.
As in the above example, patchwork and embroidery techniques are often linked to long-standing cultural traditions. Sashiko and boro stitching from Japan and kantha quilting from India, just to name a few, are patchwork styles that have deep roots in their respective cultures. By learning more about patchwork clothing and buying from artisans and small businesses, we can support those who use these time-honored, culturally significant, sustainable techniques, all while educating ourselves on diverse fashion traditions.
In these ways, patchwork exists as an exciting compromise between the responsibility of shopping sustainably and the enjoyment of expressing yourself through your clothes. They help us reduce our reliance on Fast Fashion, too: Handmade patchwork takes time to produce, aligning with Slow Fashion values. While Fast Fashion banks on large-scale manufacturing and promotes a “throwaway” culture, patchwork helps to create a more circular economy of distinct, individualized items. Not bad for a patch job, right?
So, the next time you have a well-worn fabric in need of a little love, try picking up a few patches instead of buying new. If you need a little help getting started, there are a number of needlework tutorials only a Google or YouTube search away, and there are also likely patchwork repair workshops going on at a community center in your area. If doing it yourself is too far outside your comfort zone, there are a number of brands you can support, large and small, that have embraced patchwork in their items.
As always, thanks for reading. Patch you later!
Alec Matulka
Doo Dah Apparel
