In this week’s episode, I’m joined by two super women: Saffron Darby, textile designer, tailor and founder of Meet Make Mend, and Ali Clifford, creative mentor, sustainability champion and founder of incredibusy , and the genius behind the sustainably, UK-made Salvage Speed Loom.
We talk about creativity as connection, the gentle power of hand-stitching, and how crafting alongside others opens up the most unexpected conversations.
We also share the story of how my beloved learned to darn (and now carries around a mending kit), how my 13-year-old fixed his own pyjamas with a bright pink patch, and how I repaired a jumper knitted my mum made, and reclaimed the joy in having it back in my life.
We get into:
The beautiful serendipity of how Ali & Saffron first met
The rise of visible mending and why it matters
How Meet Make Mend became a lifeline during lockdown
Why handiwork opens the door for deeper connection
Sustainability, slow fashion and what repairing clothes teaches us about ourselves
If you’ve ever wanted to mend something you love, or you crave more creative connection in your life, this episode will warm your heart.
Find Ali:
And for her upcoming workshop - 3rd December https://palava.co/products/mending-workshop
Find Saffron:
Brown in Town - https://brownintown.co.uk
On Instagram - @bumbleandbeetle
And for a newly announced workshop in Cardiff on 15th February - https://www.bethmorrisworkshops.co.uk/guest-workshops-1/p/visiblemendingtheartofbrokenthingswithsaffrondarby
Books and Instagram Accounts Recommended by Saffron & Ali:
Celia Pym - https://celiapym.com
Love Heartwood - https://www.loveheartwood.co.uk
The Art of Repair - Molly Martin - https://mollymartin.uk
Mending Life - Sonya and Nina Monenegro - @Thefarwoods
Marlen Meiners - @milli_and_the_bee
The Art of Knitwear Repair - Minttu Wikberg - @pawlymade
Alix Brinck - @alexandrabrinck