Repair Beats Replace: The Mend House Way
We live in a culture where clothes are designed to be bought quickly, worn briefly, and discarded without a thought. But at The Mend House, the story doesn’t end with a tear, a hole, or a frayed seam. Instead, these flaws are seen as opportunities — moments to pause, repair, and reimagine. Founded in 2020 by textile repair specialist Saskia Weir, The Mend House is both a practice and a philosophy, built on the belief that Repair Beats Replace. It’s a reminder that the things we wear carry meaning, and that a patch or a darn can be as beautiful as the original cloth.
GANNI dress repair by Saskia Weir of Mend House
For Saskia, mending is never just about neat stitches. It’s about people and their stories. “Listening and responding to the stories from my clients are key to what I do,” she explains. “From clients’ friends’ dogs jumping up and ripping a hole in a dress made entirely by hand (naturally dyed and made by candlelight!) to a client’s mum bringing over pillowcases from Germany in the war; the stories are sometimes funny, nourishing and personal.” In her hands, repair becomes a form of storytelling — layering memory and meaning onto fabric, much like the golden seams of kintsugi.
A Mend House 'Sew Social' workshop in progress.
The Mend House offers repair services for textiles and jewellery, but it’s also about sharing skills. Through regular workshops, Saskia creates spaces where people can slow down, connect, and learn techniques that stretch back thousands of years. As part of London Textile Month, on 12 September at the Goldsmiths Textile Collection and Constance Howard gallery she is hosting Mend and Meet — a practical, hands-on workshop that invites participants of all levels to bring a broken garment and experience the quiet satisfaction of making something whole again.
Mend and Meet embroidered shirt - as worn by Saskia Weir of The Mend House.
But The Mend House is more than a service or a series of classes — it is a growing community of repairers across disciplines, from clothing and jewellery to carpentry and beyond. Saskia is passionate about giving these makers visibility, celebrating their craft, and encouraging others to join the movement. Together, they are reshaping attitudes toward consumption by showing that repair is not a stopgap, but a celebration.
A lovingly repaired jumper by The Mend House
Every patch carries intention, every stitch is an act of care. A mended garment does more than extend the life of fabric; it speaks to a shift in values, away from waste and towards connection. The Mend House is proof that repair is not a compromise but a creative gesture — one that resists disposability, honours history, and ensures that every story, like every garment, can go on being worn.
And because stories are at the heart of what Saskia does, we caught up with her for a “5 Minutes with a Friend” interview, to hear more about her inspirations and journey into the world of textiles:
Portrait of Saskia Weir by @revajean
Saskia, what is your first memory of a textile?
Walking into Dovecot Studios and seeing all the different colours of bobbins that were woven together to make incredible tapestries.
Can you put into words what you love about textiles?
A well-worn ‘Blanc Bleu’ jumper that’s been passed down by my mum is my favourite item of clothing that I own. Textiles evoke memories. And when you can mend or add to them, it makes them even more special. Also putting colours of textiles & yarns together makes me happy.
Where is your most inspiring space / place to create?
I did my university graduate collection mostly from Scotland (home) and felt very creative whilst I was there – so, home!
What has inspired you recently?
I continue to admire Louise Gray, Justine Ashbee and Skye (Slow Stitch Club).
What is your most cherished textile, and why?
A rug that was made from my drawings – snails with crowns in blues, pinks and greens.
Where did you learn your craft?
From all over the place! I first learnt to sew at primary school – we sewed an elephant and embellished it with sequins and beads. I studied Fashion Design and Business Studies at Brighton University and then I first learnt mending through Molly Martin who was teaching at Toast. Since then it’s been a lot of self-teaching, practising and trial and error.
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Further Information:
The following workshop is available to book now, as part of London Textile Month:
Friday 12 September: Workshop: Mend and Meet with Saskia Weir of Mend House
Goldsmiths Textiles Collection & Constance Howard Gallery, Deptford Town Hall, Goldsmiths, University of London, SE14 6AF
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Image Credits:
Lead: A well loved blanket in the process of repair. All images courtesy of Saskia Weir.