Garment Mending Services
Do you have a beloved garment that needs a little TLC? Let me repair it for you!
How does it work?
First, you'll need to submit a repair request so I can assess your needs and see if I'm a good fit for your repair! I'll contact you to discuss options, and we'll coordinate a time for you to drop off your freshly washed garment with me. I accept drop offs at any pop-up market event I'm participating in, or we can schedule a time to meet at at High Energy Vintage in Union Square, Somerville. You can also mail your garment to me. Payment is due at drop off. After your garment is repaired, we'll coordinate pick up at an event, at High Energy Vintage anytime during business hours, or return shipping.
How long will my repairs take?
Expect your repairs to take 2-4 weeks. I can sometimes accommodate rush jobs for a fee depending on my workload.
How much will it cost?
Most repairs will start at $25. Super simple repairs might be a bit less. You can choose whether you want your repair to be a creative visible mend, or something more subtle. Note that visible mending typically costs more due to the hand work involved - you can expect visible mends requiring handwork (like darning or hand patching) to start around $50. Check out my visible mending work to get an idea of my visible mending style!
What kind of repairs can you do?
I offer machine darning and patching denim, restitching seams, patching shirts or trousers, and simple knitwear repairs. I also accept zipper replacements and outerwear repairs on a case by case basis. You can see some of my previous client repairs here.
Are there repairs you won't be accepting?
Leather goods, formal wear, shoes - I simply don't have the right equipment, or it's not my specialty! (Beleive me, you don't want me working on your chiffon dress!) I might not be able to repair some active wear, but it depends on the damage and the material.
What about alterations?
I don't offer alterations. Sorry! This is a totally different skill-set from repair. Most alterations can be done by a trusted dry cleaner, or I recommend Union Square Tailoring in Somerville. Alterations include hemming pants and skirts, and tailoring garments to fit better.
Why should I repair my clothes?
According to the EPA, 85% of discarded textiles end up in a landfill or burned. An estimated 17 million tons of textiles went to landfill in 2018. Repairing garments keeps them in use longer and diverts them from this devastating textile waste stream. If you loved it enough to buy it, love it enough to keep it in your closet!
I still have questions!
Please contact me!
Other Mending Recommendations
Looking for another type of repair, or a mender located closer to you? These other small businesses might be able to help! Check their websites or reach out to them for more info on their offerings!
In the Boston area:
House Of Painted Eyes Studio - general garment mending
Maggie Ruth Mends - visible mending and natural dyeing
Lexie Butterfly Vintage - vintage cleaning and restoration
Homme Repair - repair and rebuilds
High Hand Mending - high touch mending service for once & future heirloom pieces
Union Square Tailoring - tailoring, alterations, and some repairs
Zipper Hospital - zipper repairs, clothing alterations, luggage repairs, and more
Invisible Reweaving by Toni Columbo - invisible repairs for fine garments & sweaters
Morris Shoe Repair & Leather - repairs for shoes and other leather goods like bags and jackets (they're old school and don't have a website - click the link for their location on google maps)
Elsewhere:
Indigo Proof (Portland OR) - mail order denim restoration
Barnburner Mending (where MA, NH & VT meet) - mending and embellishment
Old Flame Mending (Pittsburgh PA) - we'll mend anything but a broken heart
Frayed Threads Mending (Seattle WA) - textile mending, repair, & refashioning
Wildwood Mending (CT) - visble mending wool & swiss darning in colorwork
Find more menders on the World Map of Mending, a project by my mending hero Kate Sekules.
And don't forget about your local dry cleaner! They often offer simple repairs and alterations like hemming!