In order to create community we must first find shared values. All of our clothes break down and all of us need to contribute to and be helped by a consistent group of people.

Upcycle clothing projects have the potential to add to the cycle of consumerism and want for constant new fashion if they lack proper ethics shared between the creators and the people that wear the clothes. By shifting the focus from the purchasing of new (or upcycled) items to the maintaining of already owned items, along with learning to celebrate the objects that we maintain, we can tune culture twoard real sustainability. In addition, providing platforms for self expression and sharing create a space which helps these values become useful to the people participating.

By coming together to mend our broken clothes we can begin to generate real connections, build skills and take a step towards normalizing mending into larger culture.