Lucy Wanchun Leith

About the practice

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a Vermont-born and raised, Chicago-based artist, designer, and teacher for all things mending and low-waste design. I’ve been sewing for most of my life, and have about a decade of experience drafting patterns and working in fashion production and construction. Seeing the major flaws of the fashion industry from the inside turned me away from the desire to make new clothes, and towards the decision to prioritize caring for clothes that already exist in the world. It also led me to the conclusion that educating myself and my community are the most impactful steps I can take to create meaningful change in and around the fashion industry. My main objective as an artist is to design for empathy—a sustainable design concept that centers emotional storytelling as a way to encourage people to better care for their belongings. I design the in-between, adding to the stories of existing objects through the act of mending. I offer techniques ranging from sashiko to darning, knit duplicate stitch, patchwork, machine darning, lining replacements, and more, focusing on creative, durable solutions to extend the longevity of your garments while enhancing your personal style. When I’m not mending, I am making zines, postcards, embroidered objects, patches, and other artwork, mostly about mending and clothes. This work is meant to be felt, used, and passed on to the next person, much like my philosophy around clothes: wear, cherish, mend, repeat. You can find me teaching mending and darning workshops for all skill levels all around Chicago, drop off your mending at Maydel (3118 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657) and The Notch (4021 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618), and find my zines at Maydel and pop-up events like the Chicago Textile Fair and Chicago Zine Fest. I’m always looking to collaborate with small business owners for workshops and pop-up events, photographers, and other artists. You don’t necessarily need to be in Chicago! If you’re an artist with a similar ethos, I want to meet you :) Email me at lucydreamsof@gmail.com or visit my website to fill out the mending intake form.