artful mending

I don't know when, if ever, I last used any of the four embroidery hoops I have lying around.

until today. I have put the second-smallest of them to work, and this is what I have done so far:

not the best photos, I know.

I worked in greens and pink using some darning/weaving, very inconsistent seed stitches, wobbly french knots, a tiny bit of chain stitch, and a little bit of reinforcing the eyelets. this is my first visible mending experiment. I hope it doesn't ruin this beloved skirt-- I've had it for 15 years or so. there are at least four more holes that need attention, one right at the base of the zipper, so that'll be tricky.

but here's the next one:

and then there are various pairs of pants and half-sewn skirts. and someday, if I am ambitious enough maybe I'll make a scrap quilt. that'd be cool.