DARN

The rise of fast fashion caused the art of mending and making clothes to fall into oblivion. But in recent years, DIY projects are making a comeback. Fashion designers and artists are applying knitting, crochet and darning in their work. The collection of samplers, practice samplers and endlessly mended shirts from the Zeeuws Museum’s textile collection showcases the history and beauty of this art.

Departing from the collection of samplers and endlessly mended shirts from the museum’s textile collection, this exhibition shows the beauty of better mending as well as the emotions associated with it. For a couple of centuries, embroidery and darning classes were the most important in girls’ education. Stitches must be done to perfection, every time. Looking at the practice patches makes you admire the young makers and realise how much blood, sweat and tears go into it.

The art of mending is being forgotten due to affluence and the advent of fast fashion. There are whole generations who cannot even sew on a button. Meanwhile, making and repairing clothes yourself is hot again. A remarkable number of contemporary fashion designers and artists take inspiration from “old-fashioned” knitting, crocheting and darning and apply it to their creations. That working with your hands in this way is also of therapeutic value can be seen in objects made by people in mental distress. Within the walls of a psychiatric institution, they find solace, therapy and a form of protest in handiwork.

Cover Image: Zeeuws Museum – DARN. Foto: Pim Top