Mending Matters with Clothing Repairs Artist Gay from Lived In Clothes

Send us a text In this vibrant episode of the Sewing Social podcast, Gemma Daly sits down with the brilliant Gay, founder of Lived In , to explore the creative world of clothing repair and the powerful movement behind it. Gay takes us on a journey through her love for sewing, her deep-rooted passion for sustainability, and the transformative art of visible mending—especially using the striking Japanese technique of Sashiko. With stories from her own path and the students she mentors, she busts common myths about repairs, champions the beauty of vintage clothing, and reveals why repair artists are essential voices in the fashion industry. From changing consumer habits to breathing new life into forgotten garments, this episode is packed with inspiration, insight, and heart. Stay tuned to hear about Gay’s upcoming projects and her unique approach to empowering the next generation of menders. Key Take Aways: Gay learned to sew at a young age from her mother. Her passion for clothing repair stems from her experience in the vintage fashion sector. Visible mending techniques like Sashiko add character to clothing. Repairing clothes is about preserving stories and memories. Gay's business model includes home visits and postal services for repairs. She enjoys working with vintage clothing due to its history and quality. Shifting consumer mindsets is crucial for sustainable fashion. Common repairs like zipper fixes are often easier than people think. Teaching repair skills to students is one of the most rewarding parts of her job. Mentoring other repair artists helps build a supportive community. Follow me: Instagram: @thesewingsocialpod @thedalythread Tiktok: thesewingsocialpod If you've enjoyed this episode and appreciate the work I'm doing, please Tip me on Ko-fi : https://ko-fi.com/thesewingsocialpod Also, feel free to get in touch - you can text the show (available through your podcast provider on each episode) or email: thesewingsocialpod@gmail.com Guest details: Instagram: @lived_in_clothes Website: www.livedinclothes.co.uk Email: gay@livedinrepairs.co.uk Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Gay and Her Journey in Sewing 01:44 The Passion for Clothing Repair and Sustainability 03:50 Techniques and Styles in Clothing Repair 06:46 How Gay's Business Operates 07:58 Types of Garments and Personal Connections 10:26 Shifting Mindsets on Fashion Consumption 11:28 Common Misconceptions in Clothing Repairs 12:26 Unique Projects and Personal Stories 15:23 Teaching and Mentoring the Next Generation 17:25 The Rewards of Advocacy and Skill Sharing 18:00 Essential Tools for a Repair Artist 18:58 Advice for Those Considering Repairs 20:39 The Art of Repairing Clothing 22:31 The Value of Quality in Fashion 24:29 Mentoring Other Repair Artists 27:12 Future Plans and Opportunities 28:37 Fun Rapid-Fire Questions 30:14 Where to Find Gay and Closing Thoughts 30:46 End of the show - share the show with a friend