A Patch is a Metaphor

Merriam Webster defines a patch as a piece of material used to mend or cover a hole or a weak spot.

When you think of a patch, you may imagine just that, a piece of material used to mend or cover a hole. But what are the connotations attached to this act of mending, and what does it take to create a material strong and special enough to cover this weak spot?

Living in a fast-paced society lends to habits that “use and abuse”, discarding objects soon after we get them. But it isn’t entirely our fault, this mentality is embedded in a facet of American culture dominated by capitalism. Many objects nowadays are not meant to last, they have planned obsolescence, meaning that a consumer good is designed to break down at a certain point, requiring the purchase of a replacement. (Learn more about planned obsolescence in The Story of Stuff).

Ask yourself, how often do you spend time fixing something before losing patience and throwing it away? Well, patching is the act of maintaining something so that it lasts longer because it holds value. It is an act of resistance to the temptation of simply discarding an object, and giving it another chance of use. 

There are 3 ways I will metaphorize the patch, as a symbol of healing, earth care, individuality, and collectivity. 

Earthcare

I like to think of patches as a physical badge representing stewardship, the act of taking care of something. Patchamima patches are made using up-cycled fabric, meaning that fabric scraps are used to make these patches, diverting waste from the landfill. When you patch your clothes, they are also being saved from the trashbin. 

According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), in 2018, 11.3 million tons of municipal solid waste textiles were collected in landfills located in the United States. Of that total figure, only 2,510 tons were recycled. When you divert waste from landfills, you are actively caring for the Earth, and wearing an upcycled patch is proof of that.

Healing

In the healing process, an important ingredient is love, whether that be in the form of self-love or receiving love from others.

Can you remember a time you fell and felt the sting on your palms or knees, then automatically thought of a bandaid to cover your wound? That would make perfect sense because a bandaid is a medical patch that can be applied to stop the bleeding. 

A patch can be emblematic, for instance, if you place a patch on the area of your heart. It may make you feel more secure or comforted, bringing attention to a place that can get overlooked in the day-to-day. 

Individuality & Collectivity

When customers of Patchamima express that they feel connected to a particular patch, it’s because of the qualities it possesses; in design, fabric, color, shape, image, or feeling it evokes. Even though humans are 99.9% identical in genetic make-up, we each come into the world as an individual with different abilities, personality traits, and missions in our lifetime. 

On a societal level, we all add a piece to the puzzle and have a role to play. On a patchwork level, different fabrics work in relationship with one another to enhance, complement, and support the entire piece. Patchamima patches can be made using 2 or 10 pieces of fabric. They are sourced locally and in markets around the globe. When the fabrics come together, they bring a unique mix of culture, origins, and craftwork. It is so fascinating to discover which patch resonates with a customer, revealing a part of who they are.