Updated Jan 4, 2022.
The Mendy Project came up when I was writing about my intentions for 2020.
2022 already has a long list of maker challenges, so what’s another one!?
Let’s all be “mendy-lorians” and repair the stuff we have laying around. Repair and reuse!
What is The Mendy Project?
The Mendy Project was influenced by the desire to stop replacing “stuff” that only needs a simple fix to be usable again. I took inspiration from Katrina Rodabaugh’s Mending Matters and put it into action with my own clothes.
But what is mending? It’s a verb, from Merriam-Webster:
mend, repair, patch, rebuild mean to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective. mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.
Merriam-Webster
So this is just a simple self-guided and intentional challenge to get older garments back into wearable shape. Maybe you’ve missed something in your closet, or a beloved pair of jeans need a patch to cover an unsightly hole. Whatever “wearable” means to
It doesn’t stop at clothes. Are some old towels that are perfectly fine but started fraying around the edges? Or could your placemats could use something to freshen them up? Maybe a throw pillow’s seam has come apart?
All of these can be mended by the Mendylorian!
Don’t be limited by fabric items. We probably all have things around the house that could use a repair. Like a squeaky door, stuck drawer, etc. And even though it’s a chore, it has to get done eventually. So might as well make it fun.
This isn’t an upcycling challenge, per se. It’s more about continued use. It’s for things that are still usable just need a little repair!
What’s the Mendy Project Hashtag?
Use #TheMendyProject if you want to show of your repairs!
There aren’t sponsored prizes or anything of that sort. I’m doing this for myself and invite you to join in!
Tag me @pfont if you do decide to do some mending this year. I’d love to see what you’re up to! I’m always so inspired by other people’s creativity. It’s magical.
My Personal Mendy Project
The Mendy Project started for me as my attempt to whittle down a giant pile of clothes that need some type of fixing before I can wear them again.
And then my husband gave it a pun-ny name. He also started calling me The Mendylorian, because he’s a huge nerd (and I love him).
I actually HATE mending. That’s why I’m making this public: so I have some accountability in making it happen. I don’t want to have to move that giant laundry bag of jeans ever again!!
My personal goal with this challenge is to get through a huge 20-pound bag that has something like 12 pairs of jeans in it that all mostly look like this:
I have to at least try. I call it a chance to test my darning skills!
I’m trying to be excited about it, in case you couldn’t tell.
What will you mend this year? Share here in the comments or on Instagram using #TheMendyProject! I’d love to see what you (re)create!
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[…] possibilities are endless! Maybe I get #themendyproject completely finished over the course of the 14-ish weeks by doing one repair per week (instead of […]
This is a great idea Paulette! Mending is not glittery sparkly sewing, but it is a necessary useful thing worth pursuing, and adding some accountability into it definitely helps!