How many of us are able to do expert sewing and darning work? Unfortunately, fewer and fewer people are able to boast a capacity in this regard equal to that of our grandmothers, excellent seamstresses by vocation and necessity.The solution to the problem of those who are unable to sew or mend clothes with their own hands is provided in San Francisco by Michael Swaine, founding artist of the Free Mending Library.
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How many of us are able to perform work of sewing and mending perfectly done? Unfortunately, fewer and fewer people are able to boast a capacity in this regard equal to that of our grandmothers, excellent seamstresses by vocation and necessity.The solution to the problem of those who are unable to sew or mend clothes with their own hands is provided to San Francisco da Michael Swaine, founding artist of the Free Mending Library.
Michael, for 11 years, has provided his skills in sewing, mending and repairing clothes to the inhabitants of San Francisco, traveling with a cart and a sewing machine, which could be used as needed for on-demand repairs. With the evolution of its business over time and with the growing need for quick and free repairs, the artist decided to look for helpers and to create a collective mending stitch.
Mending and repairing clothes to perfection means give new life to the same, putting away the danger that they can be discarded and thrown in the garbage by owners who are not attentive to the issue of reuse. A real one has been created at the Free Mending Library community of citizens, between regular customers who need to fix hems and buttons, and people who decide to offer their help to Michel free of charge for the mending of clothes.
By sewing and mending, time passes quickly, listening to the tales of those who stop and chat with Michael as together with their helpers takes care of carrying out the assigned work. Michael takes care of mending about 30 items of clothing at each meeting, making all his customers happy, loyal or new. The darning stitch is open to all. Everyone can bring their own clothes to repair, participate and help.
As Michael explained in an interview, there are clients who come to him regularly. The Free Mending Library is always open to be visited by school groups from the city of San Francisco. The project of the Free Mending Library is absolutely not covered by copyright, on the contrary, the hope of its creator is that it can be imitated as much as possible, so that wherever a free service, under the banner of participation and the rediscovery of the arts of sewing and mending. The Free Mending Library is based in San Francisco (Luggage Store, 509 Ellis Street) and its members meet on the 15th of each month.
Marta Albè
