Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This cult book is a step by step guide by Hikaru Noguchi, a guru of visible darning in Japan. This is visible mending, more akin to embroidery and embellishment that will make your favorite clothing even more personal and save it from landfill. Climate change is making us rethink how we use resources and not subscribing to fast-fashion and re-using and mending our clothes has become a mark of pride. This detailed step-by-step guide makes the methods easy to follow even for non-sewers. The stylish photography shows off the artistic and minimalist style of the designer's work.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Foreword (p. 3)
• Darning in England (p. 6)
• The repair studio (p. 8)
• Vintage darning mushrooms (p. 10)
• Original darning mushrooms (p. 11)
• Let's start darning (p. 12)
• Darning Technique 1 Seed stitch (p. 13)
• Darning Technique 2 The square (p. 16)
• Darning Technique 3 Reversible darn (p. 19)
• Darning Technique 4 Seed and square (p. 20)
• Darning Technique 5 Triangular darns (p. 22)
• Darning Technique 6 English darning (p. 24)
• Darning Technique 7 Accordion darns (p. 25)
• Darning Technique 8 Appliqué (p. 26)
• Darning Technique 9 Reverse appliqué (p. 27)
• Chapter 1 Darning in autumn and winter (p. 28)
• Shawl | scarf | mittens |
• Gloves | duffel coat | camel coat
• Chapter 2 Darning for socks (p. 34)
• Socks | tights | five-toe socks
• Chapter 3 Darning denim (p. 40)
• Jeans | Denim jacket
• Inspiration 1 Alternatives to the darning mushroom (p. 46)
• Darning Technique 10 Chain darning (p. 47)
• Darning Technique 11 Honeycomb darning (p. 48)
• Darning Technique 12 Tambourine darning (p. 49)
• Chapter 4 Darning sweaters (p. 50)
• Sweater | vest | cardigan | man's sweater
• Chapter 5 Darning shirts (p. 60)
• Blouse | cotton shirt | linen shirt
• Chapter 6 Darning dresses (p. 64)
• Cotton dress | black dress | silk dress
• Inspiration 2 The links between craft and science (p. 67)
• Chapter 7 Darning T-shirts (p. 68)
• Tank top | T-shirt | polo shirt
• Chapter 8 Darning children's clothes (p. 70)
• T-shirt | sweatshirt | down jacket | overalls
• Chapter 9 Darning for interiors (p. 74)
• Blanket | rug | tablecloth | chair | cushion
• Chapter 10 Darning accessories (p. 80)
• Fine shawl | sunhat | bags
• Choosing a yarn for darning (p. 83)
• Combining yarns and fabric 1
• Wool or cashmere sweater (p. 84)
• Combining yarns and fabric 2
• Woven fabrics such as shirts and chinos (p. 88)
• Combining yarns and fabric 3
• Polo shirts, T-shirts, sweatshirts (p. 88)
• Combining yarns and fabric 4
• Denim (p. 90)
• Collection of patterns (p. 92)
• Afterword (p. 95)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Publishers Weekly Review

Knit designer Noguchi presents a helpful guide to darning aimed at environmentally conscious consumers who lack the know-how to repair worn-out clothing. She starts by describing the importance of this technique in the era before fast fashion, then introduces important supplies, such as darning mushrooms (so called for their bulbous appearance) and sticks (required for mending gloves and socks), and various threads. Twelve darning techniques are covered, from the most basic seed stitching over an area of fabric, to the more elaborate triangular darns and applique. Noguchi doesn't show how to hide stitch fixes, and instead emphasizes an aesthetic of leaving mends obvious, in order to celebrate the darner's handiwork. Some of these darning solutions are beautiful in their own right, such as the beaded, appliquéd rounds that mend tears at the back of a delicate dress, and the "spiral tambourine darn" using Japanese paper yarn on a straw hat. A few fixes look a little awkward, but for the most part, Noguchi's tips are on point. With the onset of the slow clothing movement, Noguchi's clearly explained and gently encouraging manual will find an enthusiastic readership. (Apr.)