Visible Mending 101

Mending an item of clothing doesn't have to mean returning it to like-new condition. If a repair can't be hidden, make it stand out! Visible mending encourages creativity and allows you to make any piece of clothing unique. It can be as simple or fancy as you want. This is a very beginner project to fix and cover holes on a sweatshirt, but you can embroider flowers, designs, and more into your mending. Using only a straight stitch, you can beautifully extend the life of your clothing.

Supplies

Clothing with a hole or other damage

Embroidery Floss

Embroidery Needle

Scissors

Step 1: Mend the Hole

This is a sweatshirt of mine that is getting some holes along the cuffs. I chose embroidery floss that complements, but doesn't match the fabric so the design stands out. Thread your needle with the floss and knot at the end. Using a straight stitch, just in and out, go around the outside of the hole then pull tight to close the hole.

Step 2: Cover the Hole

With your hole secure, start going over the mend with straight stitches. Needle in the top, out the bottom and keep going until covered. This add color and pattern, but also adds strength to the mend. You can also extend past the mend to keep the color and design going.

Step 3: Add More Pattern and Design and Finish!

I added more colors and continued the pattern around the cuff to make it more of a feature. You can leave spaces or go all the way around the cuff like a bracelet. Secure with a knot on the underside by inserting the needle to make a loop, move the needle through the loop two times, then pull to secure. I also secured the top of the pocket of this sweatshirt with a woven pattern to continue the colors. It's ok that it's not even or perfect, that's part of what makes visible mending fun and unique! Once you get more comfortable with sewing you can even embroider over a repair with a flower, add pattern, and more!