As part of our series on mending, we felt it was just right to start with denim—the need to patch a knee is just about as common as it gets with hardworking adults and hard-playing kids. We are by no means professionals in mending, but have the desire to learn WITH you and share what we learn about making loved clothes last!
In hopes of combating the often wasteful fashion culture to toss clothes when they are stained or have holes, we want to take steps towards teaching the art of giving garments a longer lifespan. Part of this journey for us has been learning from others—there are so many makers who make patching beautiful and artistic, with embroidery and other design work. Right out the gate, we want to acknowledge Katrina Rodabaugh—the writer of Mending Matters. She inspired some of the creative stitching you’ll see here, and her IG is full of her beautiful patching & inspiration for slow fashion.
A reminder that our Maker’s Boxes are full of wonderful colorful fabric scraps and will be a helpful tool for your mending & making journey.
Step 1 : Gather everything you need! For us this includes_ scissors, straight or safety pins, a strong needle and thread, the garment being patched, and the patching material.
Step 2 : Cut patch piece to size - big enough to cover the entire hole plus some to keep the stitching in place.
Step 3 : For larger patches that will go OVER the top of the hole (on the outside rather than the inside of the garment), you’ll want to iron or pin the edges so they don’t fray with washing. Remember to take these pins out as you stitch :)
Step 4 : Whether the patch is going under or over the hole, you’ll want to secure it prior to sewing. You can use safety pins (shown) or straight pins. Patches have a tendency to move about on their own if you don’t do this. If you don’t have pins, you can simply put a small basting stitch in a few places to keep it from moving and take them out afterwards.
Step 5 : Knot the thread, and begin your stitching! There are so many ways to do your stitches…we tend to like the patterns that wrap the edges and secure the patch! Remember to keep the stitching snug and as consistent as possible. You also may need a thimble to get the needle through some thick areas, especially if you’re patching with denim (Rose also uses pliers to pull the needle through!)
*Enjoy the journey with the stitching - we like to put on some favorite music or a podcast while we mend. It is a meditative way to slow down, one stitch at a time, and show some love to our well-worn jeans.
Step 6 : After the patch is secure, you can easily add some character to your patches! This pattern is a simple under-over that you can try, or you can go both directions and make little “+” signs, too!
If you’re in the market to add some color or embroidery, check this out.
Another quick mend we love_ wrapping the well-worn pocket in thread to keep the fraying at bay! You can easily blend by choosing a neutral thread, or make an accent with a pop of color, too!
Ready, set, MEND!
To see our sustainable life post on non-toxic laundry, go here!
