A unique movement is gaining momentum in Granville as residents come together to revive the art of mending – transforming old clothing into sustainable, wearable works of art.
The Visible Mending Club, hosted by the Granville Center for the Arts, has gained popularity by encouraging participants to repair and transform their old clothes. The club’s blend of goals for sustainability, creativity, and community engagement has captured the attention of people from all walks of life.
Inspired by traditional Japanese textile arts such as Sashiko and Boro — techniques that were developed during times of scarcity, when people were forced to repair and patch their clothes to extend their lifespan — the club focuses on using decorative stitching and patching techniques to give new life to worn garments. Whether it’s an old pair of jeans, a shirt with a tear, or even a beloved sweater with a missing button, the club welcomes anyone interested in learning the slow, meditative art of mending.
“The visible mending trend has sparked a renewed interest in creativity through clothing repair, something that was once commonplace,” said Jill Hofbauer, one of the founders of the club. “It’s amazing to see how participants bring their garments back to life with their own personal touch.”
The idea behind the club is simple: Provide a space where people can learn, practice, and share mending techniques while also addressing the growing problem of “fast fashion,” the rapid production of cheap clothing that harms the environment and is often made under poor working conditions. The club meets in the Granville Arts Center, with a range of 5-15 attendees per meeting.
Hofbauer encourages participants to take a sustainable approach to their wardrobe, opting to repair and repurpose what they already own rather than purchasing new items.
“Fashion often gets a bad rap for its environmental impact,” said Ryan McGuire, another founder of the Visible Mending Club, who is also the creative director and co-founder of the Granville Center for the Arts. “But we want people to realize that they don’t need to buy new things all the time. You can turn something old into something new, and it’s a creative process that’s deeply personal.”
The Visible Mending Club’s community-focused approach makes it accessible to all, whether someone is a seasoned seamstress or a complete beginner. As Olivia Boucher, the Granville Center for the Arts photographer and board member, put it, “It’s nice to see a lot of people from different ages get together to learn how to mend their clothes. Everyone is welcome, and that makes the experience even more special.”
One beauty of the Visible Mending Club lies in its inclusive and collaborative environment. Participants of all skill levels are encouraged to attend, and everyone has the opportunity to learn at their own pace. From those who have never picked up a needle to those with a background in fiber arts, the club creates a space where all participants can feel confident in their abilities.
“We want everyone to feel comfortable coming to the club, even if they’ve never sewn before,” said Jill. “The goal is to make the process fun and approachable, without any pressure.”
Andrew Church, a sophomore data analytics major at Denison University from Hudson, Ohio, is a new participant in the club with little experience in mending.
“I’ve used a sewing machine once or twice, but I didn’t know much beyond basic repairs,” he explained. “I’ve learned so much. The best part is knowing that whatever I work on will always be uniquely mine.”
Mending is not just about fixing clothes but about expressing creativity. It’s about taking an item that might be worn out or no longer functional and transforming it into something beautiful.
“I bought a nice flannel this winter, and I ripped one of the elbows up,” Church said. “I used an old sugar bag to patch it, and now it’s a piece I really love.”
The club has become a hub for creativity, community, and connection. Beyond the act of repairing clothing, participants often share personal stories and bond over their experiences. For many, the club provides a sense of belonging and an opportunity to meet new people.
“I think the most rewarding part is seeing people interact, share ideas, and learn from one another,” McGuire said. “There’s something really special about the community that forms here. People come in with a simple project and leave with new friends and a new skill.”
Boucher, 33, who also manages social media for the Granville Center for the Arts, echoed this sentiment: “Every time we have a club, I get to meet new people. There’s always a new group of people, but you leave with new relationships no matter what. It’s a beautiful thing.”
The multi-generational nature of the club adds to its uniqueness. Participants range in age from high-school students to retirees. At the Visible Mending Club, everyone is welcome, and participants often find themselves learning from others with different perspectives.
“People of all ages interact, and it’s wonderful to see high-school students working alongside seniors,” Hofbauer said. “You wouldn’t expect it, but they share so much. It really speaks to the power of creativity to bring people together.”
The techniques used in the Visible Mending Club are rooted in the traditional Japanese arts of Sashiko and Boro, which have been practiced for centuries. The cultural history of these techniques adds an important layer of meaning to the Visible Mending Club, as it connects the act of mending to both historical necessity and artistic expression.
“Sashiko was initially used to reinforce worn-out garments, especially in the knees of pants,” McGuire explained. “It was a preventative measure, ensuring that clothes lasted longer. Now, we’ve taken it a step further by turning it into a creative form of expression.”
The intricate patterns of Sashiko and Boro often feature geometric designs, with each stitch and patch telling a story. For members of the club, this connection to tradition adds depth to their mending projects.
“When I mend my clothes, I’m not just fixing something. I’m honoring a tradition that goes back hundreds of years,” said Boucher. “It’s about embracing imperfection, and that’s something I think we all need to do more in our lives.”
As the club continues to grow, the founders and participants remain committed to fostering creativity and sustainability.
“The potential of visible mending is huge,” McGuire said. “We’re just scratching the surface. People are already doing incredible things, and the more we embrace this art form, the more it will continue to evolve.”
While the Visible Mending Club is still in its early stages, the future looks bright. The club has already expanded its reach, and more people from the community are getting involved. The founders hope to continue building on this momentum by offering more workshops and outreach programs, ensuring that the art of visible mending can reach even more people in the future.
The Visible Mending Club will meet again Tuesday, May 27 at 7 p.m. at the Granville Center for the Arts, located at 119 West Broadway, Granville, Ohio, 43023.
Noah Lebowitz writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.