Learn to repair your own clothes
There are many ways to repair, protect, remodel, and embellish your existing clothes. All you need is a needle, thread, and a bit of knowledge. The videos and articles below will get you started.
Fast fashion has convinced us that clothes are disposable. But every time you mend a garment instead of replacing it, you’re quietly rebelling against a system built on waste and exploitation.
Repairing your clothes saves money, reduces environmental impact, and creates pieces that tell your story. A visible mend becomes a badge of honour. A carefully patched knee becomes uniquely yours.
You don’t need to master everything. Start with a button. Fix a hem. Patch a favourite pair of jeans. Small acts of repair add up to meaningful change.
Join the Movement
You’re not alone in this. A global community is choosing repair over replacement, creativity over consumption.
Fashion Revolution
The global movement campaigning for a clean, safe, fair, transparent and accountable fashion industry. They run campaigns, provide resources, and connect people fighting for change.
Repair Café International
Community spaces where people meet to repair items together, with help from volunteers. Find your local Repair Café or start one.
Love Your Clothes
UK initiative providing free repair guides, care tips, and resources to make your clothes last longer.
The Restart Project
Building a culture where we fix things instead of throwing them away. Events, guides, and community support.
Learn from the Experts
These YouTube channels make clothing repair accessible, even if you’ve never sewn before. They focus on practical fixes for everyday problems.
Professor Pincushion
Crystal-clear tutorials for absolute beginners. Perfect for learning basic hand-sewing repairs like buttons, small holes, and simple hems. No sewing machine required for most fixes.
Good for: Buttons, basic hand-sewing, fixing small holes, understanding fabric types
Annika Victoria
Approachable, friendly style that builds confidence. Covers common repairs and simple alterations with clear explanations. Great for people nervous about getting started.
Good for: First-time repairs, simple alterations, working with stretch fabrics, building skills gradually
The Essentials Club
Minimalist approach to wardrobe care and basic repairs. Focuses on making clothes last longer through proper care and simple fixes.
Good for: Wardrobe maintenance, preventing damage, basic mending, care techniques
Coolirpa
No-fuss hand-sewing repairs you can do anywhere. Focuses on fixes that don’t require a sewing machine or special equipment.
Good for: Hand-sewing repairs, emergency fixes, mending on-the-go, minimal equipment needed
Master Key Techniques
Ready to tackle specific repairs? These tutorials walk you through the most common fixes step-by-step.
Sewing on Buttons
The most essential repair skill. Learn to sew buttons.
Basic repairs
How to repair holes in jeans and other fabrics
Sashiko Mending
How to mend jeans with sashiko embroidery
Basic Darning
How to repair a hole in a sock with darning. This technique works for most knitted garments.
Hemming techniques
Hemming jeans and other trousers with a sewing machine. Can also be done by hand.
Indigo dipping
Not a beginner’s technique but dyeing clothing with indigo is a fascinating and fun technique! Indigo used to be used on all denim jeans.