We are thrilled to have been invited to curate the contemporary craft section of the Make Do and Mend exhibition at the Colne Valley Museum in Golcar, Huddersfield. Open every Saturday and Sunday, 12pm - 4pm, between 20 May - 2 July 2023, the exhibition explores Victorian approaches, mid 20th century approaches and contemporary craft approaches to the theme of Make Do and Mend. We do hope you can visit and take the opportunity to share your repair stories, hints and tips.
From wartime necessity in 1943 to contemporary craft in 2023, a revival of Make Do and Mend techniques sees people getting back to basics with sewing to extend the longevity of clothing and other textile products.
Eighty years on from the beginning of the Make Do and Mend campaign, we find ourselves living through further difficult times. The increased cost of living, urgent need for action on climate and mental health crisis mean that discarding damaged clothing and buying new is no longer an option for many people. Repairing, reusing and rewearing what we already own wherever possible are the solutions for saving money, reducing waste, enabling creativity and learning new skills.
There was a time when mending was an inherent aspect of garment ownership and this can be seen in the Colne Valley Museum collection. This exhibition includes examples of contemporary Make Do and Mend techniques by textile artists and practitioners living and working in Kirklees to show the relevance of repair, rewear and reuse today.
WOVEN in Kirklees is a textiles festival, celebrating innovation in textiles locally. Mission to Mend is a WOVEN project taking place in 5 areas of Kirklees: Golcar, Heckmondwike, Holmfirth, Meltham and Mirfield. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Mission to Mend brings together over 30 community sewing workshops with 5 spotlight Repair Roadshows, celebrating all things sewing and repair in communities. The festival runs from 3 June – 9 July 2023. #WOVENinKirklees #WOVEN23