What is visible mendning?
Visible mending is a creative way of repairing damaged clothing using decorative stitches, threads, and fabrics to transform holes and worn areas into unique design features. It is a practical skill that combines sustainability with artistic expression.
I made this coat several years ago, and after many wears, the slightly open weave of the fabric began to show signs of age. Loose threads and small tears started appearing in various places. As I wasn’t ready to part with the coat just yet, I saw this as the perfect opportunity to try some visible mending.
There are many different mending techniques, including embroidery, traditional darning, sashiko darning, and more. For this project, I chose Boro mending, a traditional Japanese repair method that uses patches of scrap fabric and simple sashiko stitches to repair, reinforce, and extend the life of worn or damaged garments. Rather than hiding imperfections, Boro celebrates them, adding character and history to a piece through each repair.
Type of stitching:
I’ve explored sashiko in a previous project, so this time I wanted to experiment with something a little more decorative. The Kawari Komezashi pattern, a variation of the traditional rice stitch, immediately caught my attention and sparked inspiration for the repair.
Matreials Required:
- Scrap Fabric
- Embroidery Thread
- Needle
- Pins
- Fabric Pen
- Ruler
The SEWING:
I first used a piece of scrap fabric to mend the tear, placing it behind the damaged area and hand sewing the layers together to secure and strengthen the fabric. I then used a ruler and fabric pen to mark out a grid with lines spaced 1/8 inch apart.
Working one colour at a time, I stitched each section of the grid until the entire area was covered. Once the stitching was complete, I gave the coat a quick iron to smooth the fabric and set the finished repair.
Final Piece:
I love the subtle stitching and the muted thread colours. The finished repair reminds me of delicate snowflakes. Rather than hiding the wear, it has added character to the coat and I look forward to adding more patches as it ages over time.
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