In this week’s episode, I’m joined by two super women: Saffron Darby, textile designer, tailor and founder of Meet Make Mend, and Ali Clifford, creative mentor, sustainability champion and founder of incredibusy , and the genius behind the sustainably, UK-made Salvage Speed Loom.

We talk about creativity as connection, the gentle power of hand-stitching, and how crafting alongside others opens up the most unexpected conversations.

We also share the story of how my beloved learned to darn (and now carries around a mending kit), how my 13-year-old fixed his own pyjamas with a bright pink patch, and how I repaired a jumper knitted my mum made, and reclaimed the joy in having it back in my life.

We get into:

• The beautiful serendipity of how Ali & Saffron first met

• The rise of visible mending and why it matters

• How Meet Make Mend became a lifeline during lockdown

• Why handiwork opens the door for deeper connection

• Sustainability, slow fashion and what repairing clothes teaches us about ourselves

If you’ve ever wanted to mend something you love, or you crave more creative connection in your life, this episode will warm your heart.

Find Ali:

 @incredibusy

And for her upcoming workshop - 3rd December https://palava.co/products/mending-workshop

Find Saffron: 

Brown in Town - https://brownintown.co.uk

On Instagram - @bumbleandbeetle

And for a newly announced workshop in Cardiff on 15th February - https://www.bethmorrisworkshops.co.uk/guest-workshops-1/p/visiblemendingtheartofbrokenthingswithsaffrondarby

Books and Instagram Accounts Recommended by Saffron & Ali:

Celia Pym - https://celiapym.com

Love Heartwood - https://www.loveheartwood.co.uk

The Art of Repair - Molly Martin - https://mollymartin.uk

Mending Life - Sonya and Nina Monenegro - @Thefarwoods

Marlen Meiners - @milli_and_the_bee

The Art of Knitwear Repair - Minttu Wikberg - @pawlymade

Alix Brinck - @alexandrabrinck