Mend Available

Mend approaches alteration work through the lens of longevity and structural textile repair. Founded by seamstress Martha Ellen Gunn—who learned needlework from her grandmother during rigorous childhood lessons—the Birmingham studio intentionally diverges from standard formalwear shops to focus on the heavy-duty demands of casual clothing and heritage denim. Rather than encouraging continuous garment replacement, the workshop is built around preserving well-loved garments, repairing fabric breakdown, and modifying proportions so durable clothing remains wearable for years.

Denim serves as the workshop's primary medium, demanding specific technical interventions based on fabric composition. For rigid denim with little to no stretch, Gunn utilizes mechanical darning to re-weave missing fibers directly into the weave, yielding an unobtrusive reinforcement that softens with repeated wear. For stretch denim or higher-friction stress zones, the studio installs backing patches reinforced by structural stitching, often incorporating Japanese Sashiko embroidery to turn wear-and-tear into an intentional design element. Hemming projects are similarly calculated: clients can choose between clean-cut standard hems, raw finishes, or Euro hems that preserve the faded factory edge of jeans before reattaching it at the desired inseam.

Beyond surface repairs, Mend addresses fit issues across everyday trousers, jackets, and casual dresses. Common tailoring workflows include tapering pant legs—either concentrated from the knee down or along the entire inseam—and adjusting waistbands to eliminate gaping. During fitting assessments, each garment undergoes a methodical structural check to evaluate seam allowances, fabric integrity, and hardware condition. The studio repairs or replaces worn fly zippers, secures detached belt loops, and rebuilds pocket bags, providing clear diagnostic assessments before any fabric is cut or reinforced.

Because alterations depend on working with exposed, disassembled seams, the workshop maintains strict preparation protocols. Clients must thoroughly launder all garments before bringing them to an appointment; stitching over embedded road grit or body oils compromises thread tension and causes structural failures once the piece is eventually washed. Projects typically require a minimum turnaround time of two weeks, with individual quotes provided following the in-person fitting. All appointments must be reserved in advance through the studio's online booking system, and patrons should bring the exact shoes and belts intended for the garment to ensure accurate pin measurements.