Do you have clothes that need altering? Zip broken? A hem that needs taking up? Do you have a beautiful piece of clothing that just needs some TLC to be re-worn and enjoyed again? Then we are here to help you.

At Conscious Closet we would like to encourage you to get your clothes that are in need of a little love, repaired and mended.

We aim to connect our customers with local tailors who often have a wealth of experience. Together we can support local artisans and give you the chance to get your item returned as good as new.

It’s time to go back to really loving our pieces and keeping hold of them for a lot longer. 

See below for our recommendations on where to get your clothes repaired locally. Please note these companies are in no way associated with us so you must contact them directly. We just recommend on previous experience using their services.

Repairing & mending is how our grandparents taught us to “make do & mend” and something that has been lost in fast fashion consumerism. At Conscious Closet we think there is a real sense of achievement when you repair something yourself. Just wonder webbing that hem to re-wear your old favourite trousers can instil a little joy.

Before you start your repair you need to assess the problem, is this a job you can manage or should it be undertaken by a professional? The last thing you want to do is ruin your garment. Every mend and every garment is unique. You also need to understand the fabric and have the right tools.

It’s a fact that garments made from good quality fabrics will last longer and be easier to mend than garments made using cheap fibres. Keep this in mind when shopping for new clothes. Perhaps opt for more natural fibres like wool, cotton or silk over those made with synthetic fibres such as polyester. 

Natural fibres are usually more durable because their plant-based structures are strong. They are also usually soft and gentle on the skin. Cotton however, although natural in essence uses exorbitant amounts of water to produce and these days most cotton is predominantly from genetically modified sources. If you can afford to pay extra choose organic cotton where possible. Much kinder to the environment and you can pride yourself on making those small changes that matter a lot.

The most common problem with our clothes is the button falling off and most of the time it’s lost. Generally, our clothes come with extra buttons inside the garment but where there are none you can usually find a similar button from your button stash. If you haven’t found a matching button you may want to use a button from the bottom edge which is not used. If the shirt is worn untucked however take the one nearest the collar. 

Sewing holes or tears in our clothes can be a challenge but there are some simple stitches that most of us can manage without being an expert. The Running Stitch being the simplest. The Running Stitch - like a dolphin in the sea diving up and down - is particularly simple. Another easy stitch is the Pick Stitch, like a sewing machine stitch. With each stitch you make instead of heading forwards as in the Running Stitch, insert your needle behind the place where it came out. This makes for tiny stitches on top, but full stitches on the back with no gaps.

Watch this space for some mending tutorials in the future and check out Kates fantastic youtube videos on simple repairs @Kate Morgan

Here are our most recommended local places for clothing repair.

Please contact them directly on the details given, as we are not involved in their work or schedule.