Arinn Westendorf
westendmends
I am a repair artist who focuses on knits, and I like visible mends best. I’ve mended a wide variety of things – clothing, knit toys, backpacks, blankets, quilts, duvet covers, etc – and love the work. On top of client mends, I upcycle and resell secondhand sweaters. Aside from mending, I teach workshops on knit repair and have a robust art practice.
- Methods/Processes
- Sourcing model
- Sourcing model:
- Services Offered
- Services Offered:
- Languages
- Languages:
- English
- German
- Scale
- Solo
About the practice
I’m a self-taught mender; when my treasured Icelandic sweater got a hole, I learned swiss darning to fix it. For the next few years, I did repairs for myself and loved ones, before opening westendmends in 2025. It is so meaningful to work on precious items and bring them back into use, and it feels extra good when people tell me stories about their clothes. It’s incredible to know that I’m mending their dad’s sweater, a scarf their grandma made, a sweater that’s been with them for decades. Mending is a way to connect with people through repair, and it helps us step outside the cycles of fast fashion and overconsumption. I’m passionate about mending and reducing waste in our world, and I use thrifted or upcycled mending materials whenever possible. Part of my work is I reselling upcycled mended clothing – it’s exciting to transform clothing from waste to wearable. I also enjoy talking to people about mending and teaching mending workshops.
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