I mend ripped up fabric (5)

I believe the answer is:

denim

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'up fabric' is the definition.
'denim' can be an answer for 'fabric' (denim is a kind of fabric). I am not certain of the 'up' bit.

'i mend ripped' is the wordplay.
'ripped' indicates anagramming the letters (letters ripped or torn up).
'i'+'mend'='imend'
'imend' with letters rearranged gives 'DENIM'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for denim that I've seen before include "dark blue material" , "Twilled cotton fabric" , "Hard-wearing cotton fabric" , "Fabric used for jeans" , "Hard-wearing cloth" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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