Robin F Pool Fiber Art
New Life for Old Things - colorful, sustainable, beautiful
A collage of a visible mending red cashmere sweater and closeups of the patches
I wore the sweater, holes and all before I mended it -- posing in front of a purple thistle
A red cashmere sweater with visible mending crocheted patches and beading
A collage of a visible mending red cashmere sweater and closeups of the patches
"Even though my daughter lives in Milan, the fashion capital of Italy, I knew nobody would have something like this."
That's what the buyer at the Southwest Fiber Alliance show said when I asked why she had picked this sweater!
I was astonished by how soft the sweater was when I picked it off the pile at the Portland, OR Goodwill outlet… and then I was dismayed because it had, well, quite a few holes.
I wore it for six months in England while I worked on the repair.
The buyer just send me an email saying her daughter loves it!
I felt so honored! Discarded in Oregon, in-process in England, purchased in Colorado, now worn in Italy…my sweater has come a long way!
Leather's not lost...
I love leather purses, but they're not always easy to repair. Fortunately, this vintage woven leather bag had an open weave that made space for my needle and thread.
So grateful my Durango, CO buyer saw its beauty and utility. It had just the right shape to sit on your shoulder and stay tucked under your arm.
"I plan to wear it on the slopes!"
This buyer was looking for something rugged, stylish, and one-of-a-kind.
When I dug through the Brentford, UK, pile of scrap yarn… I was astonished to discover some gorgeous cashmere!
I wanted a reversible pattern that would look good no matter how it was wrapped… and provide plenty of places to tuck in the yarn tails because some of the scraps were tiny!
I'm so proud my work will keep her warm and stylin'.
This buyer said she plans to wear this skiing on the slopes!
I was stunned to discover how soft they were!
These scraps have come a long way!
This buyer said she plans to wear this skiing on the slopes!
Embroidery Lives Another Day
Sometimes you wonder whether you should take a chance...
This gorgeous hand-embroidered South or Central American Wool purse had not one but two major issues: holes in the bottom and the handle. Was it worth repairing?
But then I thought about how many hours the original maker had spent, lovingly crafting the beautiful decoration...and I knew I couldn't let it go.
This was one of my early pieces that convinced me of the value of mending.
I'm so happy my buyer saw its beauty. It's thriving in its new, happy home.
