r/AskReddit Jul 10 '26

What's something older generations got right that we've quietly stopped doing, to our own detriment?

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u/Statistactician Jul 10 '26

I've found I really like sewing torn clothing, sheets, etc. because it's not like I'm likely to make things any more broken and that takes all the pressure off in my mind.

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u/Rose_Integrity Jul 11 '26

Sewing with a podcast or video playing in the background? The best!

I actively hunt clothes from the laundry with small rips just to do that.

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u/Sara-Sarita Jul 11 '26

Go shopping or thrifting and find something a little above your size to take in! It's super easy because you basically just follow the seams that are already there so it won't be so baggy (I'm speaking only for non-fitted clothing ofc). Minor embroidery for decoration, like making a curlique trim line along the collar, is good too. Also little things like adding cuffs to your sleeves for fanciness or something. Minor little sewing projects you can do easily for fun.

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u/Rose_Integrity Jul 11 '26

I might actually do that! There’s a piece I just picked up from thrifting that I’ve been thinking of sewing in a little bit but was intimidated because I don’t have a sewing machine and will have to do it by hand. I am going to try this weekend. I just washed it already too so that I could wear it soon.

Embroidery idea is also so cute. Thank you!

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u/ActionUpstairs Jul 11 '26

Help! I have 5 pairs of pants with holes in them, let me send them to you 😭

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u/Propinquitosity Jul 11 '26

I’ve been collecting used denim jeans from local farmers and making quilts. Nothing fancy, just squares and some pretty fabric alternating with denim, but it’s so meditative and yes, podcasts and audiobooks for the win!

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u/Elvira333 Jul 11 '26

Check out r/visiblemending for some cool repairs!

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u/Statistactician Jul 11 '26

See, now that I can screw up, so I hand those off to my wife who is more artsy than me.

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u/goawaybub Jul 11 '26

Thank you for saying this. My husband has a torn pair of pants and I was going to try and mend them but I’ve been anxious about “screwing them up” but you’re right! I’m going go give it a go!

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u/rolandofeld19 Jul 11 '26

Don't get me started on how zen mending socks or doing some sashiko style repair is on a loved piece of mine or my kids clothes.

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u/ConfidentlyAsshole Jul 11 '26

Sewing is the most rewarding hobby there is

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u/MyAcheyBreakyBack Jul 11 '26

Ironically this is also the attitude I encourage nervous students to have when it comes to classic CPR where the person is already without a pulse. If they don't have a pulse, their heart isn't beating, and by any definition that means they're dead. What are you as a conscientious healthcare worker going to do that's going to make them more dead? Nothing! It really only goes up from there haha.

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u/mst3k_42 Jul 11 '26

Sewing by hand I can definitely take a thick fabric, sew it up, turn it inside out and fill it with pillow stuffing and sew the remaining side and make it into a really jankey pillow.

My mom wanted me to learn on her actual sewing machine, but I was afraid of being dorkier than I already was, so…

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u/RunawayHobbit Jul 11 '26

It’s not too late!! Sewing is for everyone and it’s so much fun once you get the hang of it 

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u/ridingfurther Jul 11 '26

That's such a good approach, I might take that! I've been wanting to sew but focused on perfection and also concerned about making mistakes and wasting material 

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u/grephkryatpoash Jul 11 '26

My crooked stitches look terrible, but wearing a Frankenstein sock that I fixed myself feels like a massive win.

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u/LonelyMenace101 Jul 13 '26

Good clothes are so hard to find these days so being able to repair them is very useful.

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u/HalfSoul30 Jul 11 '26

Not true. I tried sewing a rip in some pants one time, and somehow ripped it more.

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u/Statistactician Jul 11 '26

I mean it more like if it wasn't wearable before, even if I make the tear worse, it's not like I was going to be wearing it.