Visible mending
Repairs left deliberately on show, to decorate the item and celebrate that it has been mended.
What it is
Repairs left on show: patches, running stitch and darns.
Who it suits
Anyone who wants to keep clothes going and make them unique.
What you need
Sashiko thread or floss, a large-eyed needle, patch scraps and safety pins.
A first project
A sashiko-style patch on old jeans.
The visible mending guides
Beginner's guide
What you need
Techniques and stitches
How to sashiko-patch jeans
A patch inside and a grid of running stitch outside.
How to cover a tiny hole with embroidery
French knots, a woven wheel or a satin-stitch shape.
First project
Mistakes and fixes
Next steps
Sources
All checked 1 November 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.
