Simple Pleasures: Make Do and Mend

The British slogan during World War II, Make Do and Mend, came about in response to shortages of material with which to make clothing, furniture and other necessities. Citizens were encouraged to darn socks, mend holes in sweaters, repair broken furniture and reuse old items. For instance, an old pillowcase might have been transformed into children’s clothes, and an old sweater might have been pulled apart and the yarn used to make something new. The slogan has gained modern popularity thanks in great part to the handmade movement and the resurgence of interest in making things from scratch. Even if you don’t need to darn your socks or make a jar of pickles, discovering or rediscovering these domestic skills can provide a nice change of pace from a technology-driven world.

Why take the time to make do and mend? Creating something with your own two hands — especially seemingly out of nothing — is inherently satisfying. It boosts creativity and independence, and can save you a bit of money to boot. But perhaps more important, when you are standing in the kitchen stirring a pot of jam to can, or sitting with needle and thread to make an old sweater as good as new, you gain a connection to the generations that came before you.


Darn your own socks and sweaters. Rather than either getting rid of an old sweater or sending it out to the cleaners for repair, why not try your hand at mending that little hole? If you’ve never sewn before, there’s no need to be intimidated. I recommend searching online for video tutorials (there are tons) and watching a few before getting started. You may also want to start with a sock rather than a sweater for your first effort, to keep the pressure off until you get the hang of it.

Want to get a bit more creative? Try stitching colorful patches over the holes in your jeans or cardigan, or choose a contrasting thread to stitch up a buttonhole.


DIY decor. Before you go shopping for new furnishings and decor, see if you can think up a way of using what you have instead.

Sew a patch on an armchair or learn to reupholster. Tinker with that wobbly chair instead of tossing it out; use an old dress to add a colorful border to your curtains; use a bowl from the kitchen to hold a cluster of candles; paint a salvaged window with chalk paint and hang it up. Upcycle, reinvent and get creative.


Set up a pleasing workspace. Taking the slogan Make Do and Mend to heart means not spending a fortune on a new Bernina sewing machine and a fancy craft center; it’s not necessary and it sort of defeats the purpose, doesn’t it?

That said, it is awfully nice to have an inspiring little corner of the home to tuck yourself away in and work on small projects. Gather up your notions and supplies in a basket, a little chest of drawers or even mason jars; pull up a chair to a sunny corner; pour yourself a mug of tea; and get to work.

More ideas for setting up your own creative space


Pass along traditions to your children or learn them together. In my grandmother’s day, women and most men (my grandpa included) knew how to darn a sock, mend clothes, cook from scratch and grow a vegetable garden. Going to my grandparents’ house meant smelling the delicious scent of homemade minestrone soup, peppery radishes pulled from the garden and plump tomatoes dangling from vines in the yard. I grew up not knowing how to do any of those things — but I’m working on changing that, and I plan to pass along what I learn to my son.

If you have children, think about what you can teach them. Not only are basic home-keeping skills useful to both boys and girls, but the principle behind making do and mending is important for helping kids appreciate the abundance they already have in life.

How to grow a veggie garden


Put a homemade meal on the table. Make a soup with whatever leftovers are in the fridge (to a point), and I guarantee you will feel quite virtuous. If you really want to go for it, accompany your homemade soup with your own from-scratch yeast bread. The scent will make you feel all is right in the world, and everyone in your home will feel very well cared for and loved.



Put food by. Judging by the canning kits for sale in every major grocery chain, and the fancy canning supplies now available at upscale retailers as well, this “trend” of putting food by will be sticking around for a while.

From spring through fall, there are countless ways to put food by — canned fruits, jams and jellies, all sorts of pickles, and don’t forget you can also freeze things (like peas and berries). Even during winter you can make and can your own applesauce.


Create your own art. Inspire yourself. Walls looking blank and uninspiring? Take matters into your own hands and whip up an inspiration board with clippings from magazines, pin postcards to the wall or decorate with your own photos or drawings. You don’t always need to spend money to make a difference in your home.

Tell us: What do you do to make do and mend?

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