As a child, I thought my grandmother’s sewing basket was a treasure chest. Opening the lid of the plastic wicker basket revealed a trove of needles, notions, and haberdashery. Stackable trays were filled with a rainbow of threads; clever compartments contained pearlescent buttons, thimbles, and a pin cushion scarred from past needle pricks. There was much to discover; a place for everything, and everything was in its place.
I hadn’t thought about that wondrous basket in years, but this past weekend, while rifling through my linen closet, I came across my own sewing kit. It’s an acrylic box that offers no organization within; loose buttons are strewn about, and there’s a chaotic tangle of thread that rolls around like a colorful tumbleweed. What would my grandmother think of this charm- and function-less container? I decided to call her up directly to ask.
It was immediately decided that yes indeed, I needed a proper sewing basket. She continued to tell me that the basket in my childhood memories was a wedding present. Before that, she had used her mother’s, and remembered it being an essential component of housekeeping, much like a dishwasher is today. Having grown up in England during the second World War, she explained, meant new clothes were a privilege—socks were darned, clothes were mended, and nothing was wasted.
That, of course, was another time. Today, fast fashion has led us to believe it’s more of a hassle to fix something than it is to replace it altogether. But in the past few weeks, as my life has been slowed to a near halt, I not only have the time, but I have a newfound desire to care for my things, which are, admittedly, mostly clothing-related.
It would seem that I’m not alone: Across social media, members of the fashion set are voicing how they’re re-thinking the way they approach their wardrobes. Whether it’s consuming less, supporting small businesses, or shopping your closet—but only after you’ve given it a thorough overhaul, of course.
This time has also ignited a sense of DIY empowerment with the needle and thread. I think of the Instagram account Visible Mend (which has gotten a bit of attention lately), devoted to bringing new life to threadbare clothes with colorful top-stitches—not unlike the Japanese art of Kintsugi. And then there’s the many resourceful individuals doing their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by making their own protective face masks at home.
For me, I plan to take a cue from my grandmum’s youth and extend the lifespan of clothing with my own home repairs. But before I get started, I’ll need that basket.
