A Beginner’s Guide to Visible Mending: Embracing Wear, Repair, and Creativity

Mending isn’t just about fixing worn-out clothing—it’s an opportunity to add beauty, personality, and longevity to the things we wear and use every day. Whether it’s a well-loved pair of jeans, a favorite quilt, or a coat that’s seen better days, visible mending allows us to celebrate the history of a piece while making it uniquely our own.

I’ve mended a lot of my family’s clothes—jeans, coats, work jackets—each with its own story and wear patterns. Right now, I have my brother’s coat on my work table, burned through at the pocket from welding sparks. It’s a perfectly good coat, just needing a little care, and making it stronger (and usable) for the future.

If you’ve ever wanted to try visible mending but didn’t know where to start, this guide will walk you through the basics.

What is Visible Mending?

Visible mending is the art of repairing fabric in a way that highlights, rather than hides, the mend. Unlike traditional mending, where stitches are meant to blend in, visible mending embraces contrast, color, and texture to make repairs part of the story of a garment. Think of it as functional embroidery—a mix of care and creativity.

Essential Tools for Visible Mending

You don’t need much to get started! Here are the basics:

Needles – A mix of embroidery, sashiko, and darning needles will work for different fabrics.

Thread – Embroidery floss, sashiko thread, or strong cotton thread work well for hand-stitching. Choose a color that pops or a neutral to blend in.

Scissors – Sharp fabric scissors and small snips for trimming threads.

Fabric Patches – Scraps of cotton, linen, denim, or any sturdy fabric to reinforce worn areas.

Pins or Washable Fabric Marker – To hold patches in place or mark stitching lines.

Thimble (optional) – Helps protect your fingers when stitching thick fabrics.

Basic Visible Mending Techniques

1. Patch & Stitch (For Holes & Worn Areas)

This is the simplest and most common form of visible mending.

Steps:

1. Cut a fabric patch at least ½” larger than the hole.
2. Pin or baste the patch to the inside or outside of the fabric.
3. Use a running stitch, sashiko stitches, or decorative embroidery to secure it in place.
4. Knot the thread securely and trim excess fabric if needed.

This type of mend is great for: Holes in jeans, elbows of jackets, or quilt tears.

2. Sashiko-Inspired Reinforcement

Sashiko is a traditional Japanese mending technique using simple, evenly spaced stitches to strengthen fabric.

Steps:

1. Draw a simple grid or pattern over the worn area using a fabric marker.
2. Use a thick thread (like sashiko or embroidery floss) and stitch evenly across the fabric.
3. Continue with vertical or diagonal rows for a textured look.

This type of mend is great for: Weak fabric spots that aren’t fully torn yet but need extra durability.

3. Darning (For Worn or Thin Fabric)

Darning involves weaving new thread into thinning fabric to strengthen it.

Steps:

1. Place fabric over a darning egg or smooth surface.
2. Stitch rows of parallel stitches over the worn area.
3. Weave in the opposite direction to create a woven effect.

This type of mend is great for: Sweaters, socks, or quilt edges.

Where to Start?

If you’re new to visible mending, try starting with an easy patch on a pair of jeans or a work jacket. Something that already has a bit of character, where an extra layer of stitches will only make it better.

Personally, I love adding patches to workwear—like my brother’s welding jacket. It already tells a story, and the mend is just the next chapter.

The Beauty of Mending

Mending is more than just repairing—it’s about care, connection, and creativity. Each stitch is an act of appreciation for what we wear and use. And once you start, you’ll see every worn spot as an opportunity rather than a problem.

So, grab your thread and give it a try! I’d love to see your visible mends—share your projects and let’s celebrate the art of making things last.

Happy mending!