Sometimes we need to find a new life for our clothes. Maybe it’s a favorite sweater that you wore on your first date with your partner that’s starting to fall apart at the seams. Maybe it’s a battle with the stains on your jeans that you’re just not able to win. Maybe a childhood T-shirt that just won’t fit anymore. We at Flair know more than most the emotions and memories a piece of clothing or laundry can hold. It’s why our Wash and Fold and Dry Cleaning Services are dedicated to making your clothes last as long as possible while looking their best. But, when you think you need to say goodbye to a piece of clothing, here’s a few options to consider giving it new life.
Mend It
You might think the sleeves on that sweater are past fixing, but bring it by our tailoring department to see what we can do. We fix snags, tears, missing buttons, and more and have a range of supplies to make sure we can restore each piece to it’s best.
Patch It
There’s an art to a good patch job. Whether you choose a matching color and pattern to blend seamlessly into your clothing or a loud and funky pattern that sticks out, patching a piece of clothing (whether ironed or sewn on) tells a story not just about what happened but about the care you have for your clothing. If you’re into embroidery, you might also consider sashiko, the Japanese folk art of functional embroidery that developed as a way for farmers to mend valuable fabrics like denim and has since evolved into a decorative stitch.
Dye It
Even under the most careful and attentive care, light colored clothing especially will start to lose its shine over time and can so easily stained. Dyeing your clothes gives them new life and color. You can even research how to make dyes with food scraps like avocado pits or onion skins. Once the dye is properly mordanted and set, bring your laundry to Flair, and we’ll make sure the dye keeps its luster for as long as possible.
Repurpose It
Could your old sweatshirt see new life as a pillow? Maybe it’s time that shirt was turned into dish towels? The possibilities are endless. Jeans can become shorts, hair ties, or patches of their own. Shirts can become cushions or tote bags. Socks can become heating pads and sweaters can turn into scarves. If you’re particularly ambitious, you could turn multiple items into a quilt. If you don’t consider yourself crafty, it’s always a great idea to find a local artist who can work their magic and add to the lore behind your most beloved items.
As something that we carry with us and keep close to our bodies, each item of clothing holds memories. At Flair, we are here to help you keep those memories alive as long as we can, whether through cleaning, mending, patching, dyeing, or repurposing.
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