A Darning Stitch

This book explores the concept of an invisible mend, contrasting the mend of a garment with the attempt to mend a relationship.

A darning stitch is a sewing technique used for repairing worn areas in fabric, an attempt to make the repair as neat and invisible as possible to restore a piece of clothing to its original state. Instructions and diagrams for darning are printed on overbeaten abaca paper, while on cotton paper are images of fabric alongside a narrative of a marriage. The cotton spreads are visible beneath the translucent abaca sheets, juxtaposing this story against the clear and straightforward instructions for mending clothing.

The images of torn cloth are created using the blowout technique, further emphasizing the moments of damage and wear both within the fabric and within the relationship.

Out of print.

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Bucknell University, Wesleyan University, University of California (Santa Barbara), Mount Holyoke College, Harvard University, Yale University, Arizona State University, University of Oregon, New York Public Library, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Michigan, Indiana University Bloomington, Ringling School of Art & Design, Virginia Commonwealth University, Bennington College, University of Delaware, Ohio State University, Vassar College, Vamp & Tramp Booksellers, University of Pittsburgh, University of Georgia, University of Vermont, Bainbridge Island Museum of Contemporary Art, Lafayette College, Savannah College of Art and Design, Washington University (St. Louis), Duke University, Library of Congress, University of Utah, George Mason University, University of Washington, Claremont Colleges

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