{"id":16455,"date":"2025-08-28T01:10:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T00:10:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455"},"modified":"2025-08-28T06:36:06","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T05:36:06","slug":"mending-old-clothes-the-medium-of-emotional-and-psychological-healing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/mending-old-clothes-the-medium-of-emotional-and-psychological-healing\/","title":{"rendered":"Mending old clothes: The medium of emotional and psychological healing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fast fashion harms the environment, but repairing clothes is rising. How does it boost creativity and well-being?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Makiko Kita puts on her glasses and threads the needle with her tongue sticking out the side of her mouth. She slides a doorknob-shaped darning mushroom into the sock she has worn for years and begins to weave the thread between the wool to pull the hole together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her friends advised her to throw the socks away, but to multimedia artist Kika, the act of mending is one of quiet contemplation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMending clothes is not just a practical act\u2014it carries deeper meaning about restoring one\u2019s thoughts, spirit, and soul. In Japan, for example, there used to be very few secondhand shops. People preferred buying high-quality, durable items and were reluctant to throw them away. Now, however, the idea of mending and sharing the stories behind clothes is becoming popular as a way to cherish and pass on memories,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/9bced9c0c9fbb230728475b9636dbf9-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17096\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/9bced9c0c9fbb230728475b9636dbf9-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/9bced9c0c9fbb230728475b9636dbf9-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/9bced9c0c9fbb230728475b9636dbf9-770x577.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/9bced9c0c9fbb230728475b9636dbf9-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/9bced9c0c9fbb230728475b9636dbf9.jpg 1706w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/9bced9c0c9fbb230728475b9636dbf9-293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/9bced9c0c9fbb230728475b9636dbf9-1400x1050.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/9bced9c0c9fbb230728475b9636dbf9-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17096\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/9bced9c0c9fbb230728475b9636dbf9-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/9bced9c0c9fbb230728475b9636dbf9-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/9bced9c0c9fbb230728475b9636dbf9-770x577.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/9bced9c0c9fbb230728475b9636dbf9-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/9bced9c0c9fbb230728475b9636dbf9.jpg 1706w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/9bced9c0c9fbb230728475b9636dbf9-293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/9bced9c0c9fbb230728475b9636dbf9-1400x1050.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Makiko Kita is mending socks that have been worn for many years.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The report <a href=\"https:\/\/publications.parliament.uk\/pa\/cm201719\/cmselect\/cmenvaud\/1952\/report-files\/195202.htm\">Fixing Fashion: Clothing Consumption and Sustainability<\/a>, released by the UK Parliament&#8217;s Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) in 2019, pointed out that \u201cthe current development of the fashion industry is unsustainable for both the Earth&#8217;s resources and human society.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the UK, the purchase of clothing alone generates up to 26.5 million tons of carbon emissions annually\u2014almost half of the country&#8217;s annual emissions from private cars. Moreover, producing a single pair of jeans requires an average of 7,500 liters of water, equivalent to one person\u2019s drinking water consumption for seven years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, approximately 300,000 tons of clothing are discarded in the UK each year, ultimately being buried or burned, exacerbating the problem of waste. Therefore, the report calls for the establishment of a \u201ccircular fashion system\u201d to alleviate environmental pressure by extending the lifespan of clothing, promoting repair, and encouraging the circulation of secondhand garments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As awareness of the environmental impact of fast fashion continues to grow, organizations and communities such as <a href=\"https:\/\/repaircafewales.org\/\">Repair Caf\u00e9 UK<\/a> and the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.globalgardensproject.co.uk\/making-mending-club#:~:text=The%20Global%20Gardens%20Making%20and,processing%20natural%20fibres%20and%20dyes.\"> Making n Mending Club<\/a> have emerged, dedicated to promoting the repair of old clothes and extending the lifespan of garments. These groups not only encourage people to reduce their purchases of new clothing but also help individuals find healing and comfort through the act of mending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Research from the <a href=\"https:\/\/adk.elsevierpure.com\/en\/publications\/mendit-contribution-to-fashion-for-future-exhibition-in-bolzano-i?utm_source\">Mend.IT project<\/a> shows that individuals materialize memories and family stories by sewing old clothes, endowing garments with unique emotional value. From this, it becomes evident that mending has moved beyond practical utility and become a meaningful practice for carrying emotions and memories\u2014a quiet yet powerful method of emotional healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cat Lewis, the head of the Making n Mending Club, expresses her remembrance of a late friend through sewing and making. \u201cMy friend passed away last year, and I inherited all her clothes. I sold many of them, but I kept a few pieces. I used her pajamas to make colorful bunting. There was a beautiful dress of hers I really liked, but it was too small for me to wear, so I turned it into a small cushion. I also used her embroidered dress to make a bigger one,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/99c7b01aaf93d0ea5ad6df288e6acb5-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17098\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/99c7b01aaf93d0ea5ad6df288e6acb5-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/99c7b01aaf93d0ea5ad6df288e6acb5-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/99c7b01aaf93d0ea5ad6df288e6acb5-770x577.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/99c7b01aaf93d0ea5ad6df288e6acb5-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/99c7b01aaf93d0ea5ad6df288e6acb5.jpg 1706w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/99c7b01aaf93d0ea5ad6df288e6acb5-293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/99c7b01aaf93d0ea5ad6df288e6acb5-1400x1050.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/99c7b01aaf93d0ea5ad6df288e6acb5-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17098\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/99c7b01aaf93d0ea5ad6df288e6acb5-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/99c7b01aaf93d0ea5ad6df288e6acb5-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/99c7b01aaf93d0ea5ad6df288e6acb5-770x577.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/99c7b01aaf93d0ea5ad6df288e6acb5-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/99c7b01aaf93d0ea5ad6df288e6acb5.jpg 1706w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/99c7b01aaf93d0ea5ad6df288e6acb5-293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/99c7b01aaf93d0ea5ad6df288e6acb5-1400x1050.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cat Lewis decorated her studio with collected old items.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>British visual and sensory anthropologist <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sarah_Pink\">Sarah Pink<\/a> noted that old clothes carry \u201cemotional imprints,\u201d such as usage marks, odors, and stitching patterns, which can evoke emotional connections with specific people and events. Sewing old garments has thus become a conscious act of memory-making, helping individuals piece together fragmented recollections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the front desk of a Repair Caf\u00e9 in Cardiff, Margaret, who is responsible for reception, is a witness to this kind of \u201cemotional repair.\u201d She pointed to the floral vest she was wearing and smiled, saying, \u201cThis used to be a dress I loved when I was young. The quality and style were great, and I didn\u2019t want to throw it away. I can\u2019t fit into it now, so I cut off the bottom and turned it into a vest.\u201d For Margaret, this was not only a skillful transformation but also a way to carry forward memories from her past life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.craftscouncil.org.uk\/stories\/4-reasons-craft-good-your-mental-health?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">report released by the UK\u2019s Crafts Council<\/a>, 88% of participants believe that engaging in crafts can effectively reduce anxiety, and 73% say it helps improve symptoms of depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Participating in craft activities such as sewing and mending has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety while promoting mental well-being. The focus required during hand sewing shifts attention away from emotional distress and helps soothe the mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI had breast cancer and went through treatment seven years ago. I didn\u2019t want to do anything. My eyes were tearing up, and I felt very tired. Then I started hand sewing because it was something I could do lying in bed or take to the hospital. I used linen from home to make myself a linen nightdress because I felt hot and uncomfortable but still wanted to wear something pretty,\u201d Cat calmly shared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In her view, mending was not just about fixing clothes, but about healing her life. \u201cI really felt like I wasn\u2019t just fixing clothes\u2014I was fixing and organizing my life. It helped me get through that hard time. I found sewing very peaceful, relaxing, and healing. So I started with hand sewing, trying to get better while preparing clothes and taking care of myself,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Similar cases of using sewing to cope with illness are not uncommon. <a href=\"https:\/\/community.macmillan.org.uk\/cancer-blogs\/b\/community_news\/posts\/crafting-mindfulness-and-coping-with-cancer-helen-s-story\">The community blog <em>Crafting, Mindfulness, and Coping with Cancer: Helen&#8217;s Story<\/em><\/a> by Macmillan Cancer Support tells Helen\u2019s experience. Diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in March 2021, she endured a range of intense emotions, such as fear, anxiety, and panic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/2043-helen--2d00--header-image-png-2d00-800x400x2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17099\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/2043-helen--2d00--header-image-png-2d00-800x400x2.png 800w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/2043-helen--2d00--header-image-png-2d00-800x400x2-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/2043-helen--2d00--header-image-png-2d00-800x400x2-770x385.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/2043-helen--2d00--header-image-png-2d00-800x400x2-585x293.png 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/2043-helen--2d00--header-image-png-2d00-800x400x2-293x147.png 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/2043-helen--2d00--header-image-png-2d00-800x400x2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17099\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/2043-helen--2d00--header-image-png-2d00-800x400x2.png 800w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/2043-helen--2d00--header-image-png-2d00-800x400x2-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/2043-helen--2d00--header-image-png-2d00-800x400x2-770x385.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/2043-helen--2d00--header-image-png-2d00-800x400x2-585x293.png 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/2043-helen--2d00--header-image-png-2d00-800x400x2-293x147.png 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Helen is crocheting something for her grandchildren<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen I start thinking about my own death, the emotions I feel are very uncomfortable. My heart rate accelerates, and I even start to panic. I need to find a way to cope,\u201d Helen said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She began sewing and knitting to redirect her focus and calm her thoughts. \u201cWhen I\u2019m knitting or sewing, I can focus on the rhythm, and it helps calm my mind. It takes me away from thinking about the cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Helen also created small handmade clothes for her grandchildren as a legacy. These works not only embodied familial love but also gave her emotional comfort and strength. \u201cWhen I feel so uncertain, these crafts make me feel a sense of control. It\u2019s a way to express myself and find meaning in life, even though I\u2019m sick,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/39008815\/\">Numerous studies<\/a> confirm that needlecraft has significant positive effects on mental health and well-being. It fosters social connections, enhances satisfaction, and strengthens both familial and cultural identity . Sewing can heal the soul, give people strength in times of difficulty, and help them regain a sense of purpose. It also helps individuals overcome loneliness, reintegrate into society, and re-establish meaningful connections with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to a survey released by<a href=\"https:\/\/www.circularonline.co.uk\/news\/a-quarter-25-of-londoners-say-they-repair-more-since-the-pandemic\/\"> London Recycles,<\/a> during the pandemic, prolonged home isolation led many Britons to pick up sewing as a way to pass time and combat loneliness. Approximately one-quarter of Londoners reported repairing their clothes more frequently during lockdowns, especially among younger generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As restrictions lifted, sewing evolved from a personal coping mechanism into a form of communal interaction. In cities like London, community spaces such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swlondoner.co.uk\/life\/07122024-watch-kennington-mending-club-boosts-wellbeing-through-communal-sewing?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Mending Circle<\/a> now serve as hubs for residents to gather, share stories, and support one another. At <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lbhf.gov.uk\/news\/2023\/09\/make-your-clothes-last-longer-hammersmith-s-new-mending-circle?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Kennington\u2019s Mending Circle<\/a>, participants mend clothes together twice a month during informal tea sessions, exchanging both practical skills and warm companionship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/d732f386a01b6b4c8fd2d7b61612e0a-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/d732f386a01b6b4c8fd2d7b61612e0a-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/d732f386a01b6b4c8fd2d7b61612e0a-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/d732f386a01b6b4c8fd2d7b61612e0a-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/d732f386a01b6b4c8fd2d7b61612e0a-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/d732f386a01b6b4c8fd2d7b61612e0a.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/d732f386a01b6b4c8fd2d7b61612e0a-1155x770.jpg 1155w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/d732f386a01b6b4c8fd2d7b61612e0a-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/d732f386a01b6b4c8fd2d7b61612e0a-293x195.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/d732f386a01b6b4c8fd2d7b61612e0a-1400x933.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/d732f386a01b6b4c8fd2d7b61612e0a-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/d732f386a01b6b4c8fd2d7b61612e0a-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/d732f386a01b6b4c8fd2d7b61612e0a-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/d732f386a01b6b4c8fd2d7b61612e0a-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/d732f386a01b6b4c8fd2d7b61612e0a-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/d732f386a01b6b4c8fd2d7b61612e0a.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/d732f386a01b6b4c8fd2d7b61612e0a-1155x770.jpg 1155w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/d732f386a01b6b4c8fd2d7b61612e0a-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/d732f386a01b6b4c8fd2d7b61612e0a-293x195.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/d732f386a01b6b4c8fd2d7b61612e0a-1400x933.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Marisol Cordoba (left) is sharing her sewing secrets at Hammersmith&#8217;s monthly mending circle at Livat shopping mall. Credit :Hammersmith<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.creative-lives.org\/meet-make-mend\">\u201cMeet, Make, Mend\u201d project<\/a>, a collaboration between Bristol Textile Quarter and Changes Bristol, provided introductory sewing kits and slow-sewing workshops. About 80% of participants reported a heightened sense of belonging and community connection, and many continued attending sessions post-pandemic to reduce loneliness and rebuild social ties. Charitable organizations like Sew Positive also run community sewing courses to help socially isolated individuals\u2014including the long-term unemployed and those with mental health challenges\u2014regain confidence and find platforms for connection and support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Making n Mending Club, founded by Cat, also offers a warm, inclusive space for sewing enthusiasts. People come not only to mend garments but to connect, chat, and learn from one another. \u201cIt\u2019s truly become a social gathering. Everyone is sewing and talking at the same time. We usually bring food and drinks, share items, and tell the stories behind them. It\u2019s full of warmth and interaction,\u201d said Cat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Research on community art and sewing initiatives\u2014such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2227-9032\/11\/4\/516\">Intergenerational Aesthetic Co-Creation project<\/a>\u2014shows that older adults who sew alongside volunteers and peers enhance their confidence and creativity, expand their social networks, and receive valuable emotional support and a sense of belonging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFor elderly people who may feel lonely at home for long periods, having a gathering place is very meaningful. They can meet others, repair clothes together, and communicate. It helps ease loneliness and strengthen social connections,\u201d Cat added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video controls src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/mend.mp4\"><\/video><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">How to mend wool socks using sashiko darning.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Through shared sewing experiences, people not only repair clothes but build emotional bridges. <a href=\"https:\/\/wordplay.swish.ink\/posts\/stitching-together-communities-the-social-impact-of-sewing-events-in-the-uk?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">A summary by Wordplay<\/a> noted that such activities attract people of different generations and backgrounds. As skills are exchanged, so too are life stories, deepening community bonds and spiritual connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWeaving and mending activities are a great cross-generational integration. Many participants are around 50 or 60 years old, but there are also many young students and men. While the numbers may seem small at first glance, we also have male, transgender, and LGBTQ members here, forming a diverse and broad community. Through this mixture, I\u2019ve learned a lot about different lifestyles and gender identities. Being with young people is very valuable to me. I think they appreciate elders who are skilled and willing to share. So this is truly a space of cross-generational exchange and learning,\u201d Cat said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Collier, von K \u00e1 rolyi and other scholars proposed the concept of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/264310498_Rejuvenation_in_the_Making_Lingering_Mood_Repair_in_Textile_Handcrafters\">&#8220;textile restoration&#8221;<\/a>, pointing out that fiber handicrafts such as knitting and embroidery can promote people to enter a psychological state of &#8220;physical and mental repair, spiritual renewal, and reorganization&#8221;. This healing effect not only occurs during the sewing process, but also extends to daily life, bringing lasting positive effects on individual emotional regulation and self-identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sewing not only helps address the environmental problems caused by fast fashion but also serves as a vital way for people to heal their hearts and rebuild social relationships. Through sewing, people express longing for lost loved ones, recall precious memories, and find peace in the act of creation\u2014easing illness, solitude, and emotional burdens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As artist Louise Bourgeois once said, \u201cClothing is\u2026 an exercise in memory. It makes me explore the past: how did I feel when I wore that?\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fast fashion harms the environment, but repairing clothes is rising. How does it boost creativity and well-being?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1239,"featured_media":17192,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16455","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Mending old clothes: The medium of emotional and psychological healing - Life360<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mending old clothes: The medium of emotional and psychological healing - Life360\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Fast fashion harms the environment, but repairing clothes is rising. How does it boost creativity and well-being?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Life360\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"yichen Liu\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-08-28T00:10:08+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-08-28T05:36:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/images.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"259\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"194\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"yichenliu\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"yichenliu\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455\",\"name\":\"Mending old clothes: The medium of emotional and psychological healing - Life360\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/72277b8041f8f59393db80ed8d07ba23.jpeg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-28T00:10:08+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-28T05:36:06+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/#\/schema\/person\/0e2e6ba69fffcc4a10d556e36211960b\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/72277b8041f8f59393db80ed8d07ba23.jpeg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/72277b8041f8f59393db80ed8d07ba23.jpeg\",\"width\":1042,\"height\":481},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Mending old clothes: The medium of emotional and psychological healing\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/\",\"name\":\"Life360\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/#\/schema\/person\/0e2e6ba69fffcc4a10d556e36211960b\",\"name\":\"yichenliu\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/10\/20241025_103823000_iOS-96x96.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/10\/20241025_103823000_iOS-96x96.jpg\",\"caption\":\"yichenliu\"},\"description\":\"yichen liu, from china , interested in music, study international journalism in Cardiff University\",\"sameAs\":[\"yichen Liu\",\"yichenliu1014\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/author\/liuy338\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Mending old clothes: The medium of emotional and psychological healing - Life360","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Mending old clothes: The medium of emotional and psychological healing - Life360","og_description":"Fast fashion harms the environment, but repairing clothes is rising. How does it boost creativity and well-being?","og_url":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455","og_site_name":"Life360","article_author":"yichen Liu","article_published_time":"2025-08-28T00:10:08+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-08-28T05:36:06+00:00","og_image":[{"width":259,"height":194,"url":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/images.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"yichenliu","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"yichenliu","Estimated reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455","url":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455","name":"Mending old clothes: The medium of emotional and psychological healing - Life360","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/72277b8041f8f59393db80ed8d07ba23.jpeg","datePublished":"2025-08-28T00:10:08+00:00","dateModified":"2025-08-28T05:36:06+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/#\/schema\/person\/0e2e6ba69fffcc4a10d556e36211960b"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/72277b8041f8f59393db80ed8d07ba23.jpeg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/72277b8041f8f59393db80ed8d07ba23.jpeg","width":1042,"height":481},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=16455#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Mending old clothes: The medium of emotional and psychological healing"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/#website","url":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/","name":"Life360","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/#\/schema\/person\/0e2e6ba69fffcc4a10d556e36211960b","name":"yichenliu","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/10\/20241025_103823000_iOS-96x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/10\/20241025_103823000_iOS-96x96.jpg","caption":"yichenliu"},"description":"yichen liu, from china , interested in music, study international journalism in Cardiff University","sameAs":["yichen Liu","yichenliu1014"],"url":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/author\/liuy338\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16455","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1239"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16455"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16455\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17121,"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16455\/revisions\/17121"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17192"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16455"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16455"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16455"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}