Today we are looking at 4 different mending techniques – Sashiko, embroidery, sewing patches and applique.
Listen to the new episode with me, Katrine from Mendingmayhem at seworganisedstyle podcast Recorded by Maria
Visible mending is a fun creative way to preserve clothes.
There are so many fun techniques to choose from. Mend don’t spend.
Sashiko
Sashiko is an old Japanese way of decorating and mending clothes.
Sashiko means little stabs.
From what I have learned, Sashiko seems to refer to the stitching process itself, whilst Boro is the final textile result of patching and repetitive Sashiko stitching. Together they form a unique textile visible mending art piece.
Most people I know creating visible mending know more about Sashiko than I do.
You can find Sashiko used in many forms from the simple running stitches back and forth through a patch, to intricate patterns.
Common motifs were originally inspired by natural surroundings like ocean waves, mountain peaks, and fields of grass-resulting in concentric circles and geometric patterns with poetic names such as persimmon flower or pine bark.
Simple tools are used - a long needle, heavy weight cotton thread, and a Sashiko thimble.
To avoid any discussions about how my work follows or doesn’t follow the traditional techniques and tools, I always say my mending is Sashiko-inspired.
After all I’m a maker and an artist so I may not following rules as a true Sashiko expert.
And I like to use whatever I have at hand. To be honest I have never owned any Sashiko threads or thimbles.
And I’m horrible in sewing straight lines but I am very talented in making uneven stitches and I often cheat a bit too.
Luckily there are some people that are way better with Sashiko than me and I enjoy seeing their work.
Kirsty from @spiderweavestudio Who was guesting for Mendingmayhem back in October is making some beautiful Sashiko mending.
Here are some pictures of her lovely work.
Amazing rice flowers stitch on a linen top to strengthen it, by Kirsty.
Beautiful Sashiko pattern on a linen shirt, by Kirsty
Selina from @selinaam05 Who is sharing traditional Sashiko knowledge.
Showing a few pictures of Selina's beautiful Sashiko stitching.
Jeans mended with a cat patch, beautiful work by Selina.
Selina makes her own pattern as well, this foxes are adorable.
Beautiful patch stitched with traditional sashiko pattern. By Selina.
She also found inspiration from Lindsay @lindzeanne . Very talented textile artist living in Japan . Lindsay uses sashiko inspired work in her art using recycled materials and actually one of the first guest post at Mendigmayhem . She has a lot of impressive work , and some handstitched beads that are totally amazing.
Also, I would like to mention Eva Kittelsen from @myvisiblemend you will find her earlier work over at @Evakittelsen Norwegian textile artist who uses a bit of Sashiko in her mending.
Eva also has a lot of gorgeous and breath-taking embroidery mends. Caring a lot about sustainability and the environment. Aso she does mend in public. It’s a great way to get people interested in the mending movement.
Pictures of Eva's work
Pile of beautiful mended trousers and jeans by Eva
Embroidery
Embroidery has existed, in many forms, in every population across the globe. Whether it’s displayed on clothing, home goods, or as an artwork, embroidery is a timeless craft and is an essential part of our material culture.
The definition of embroidery is the art of applying decorative designs onto fabric using a needle.
Menders often use embroidery to cover up a hole or hide stains or simply to embellish their work.
There are a lot of different stitches to choose from and so many ways to use it.
I seem to have been using embroidery many times recently. I used to prefer to use my sewing machine for mending, as it’s much faster. Now I have found myself enjoying hand stitching more and more.
It’s something about the quietness and the slow process that makes you unwind and relaxed.
What tools you need to embroidery mend?
Needle
Embroidery thread - Cotton or wool depending on what material you are mending.
A pair of embroidery scissors
An embroidery hoop can be helpful
If you are making a pattern or design you might need a tailor's chalk pencil or a transfer paper.
Beads or sequins can be added for more decoration.
I like to make embroidery patches and sew them on after I’m done with the motif often using running stitches creating a Sashiko like pattern.
Since I used to make a lot of jewellery in the past, I tend to use beads in some of my embroidery because I still have a lot of them and they do look good on some garments. Like the sweater I’m still working on for my Mum.
You have to make sure to attach the beads securely. I use a double sewing thread, and small stitches.
Techniques are often used mixed when you create visible mending. The techniques are all determined by the artist.
I might have mentioned the sisters Jen and Wendy from @bostonandyork earlier, but they are defiantly worth mentioning again as they have so many brilliant stitching tutorials on their profile.
And a lot of beautiful mending and embroidery.
Pictures from Jen and Wendy's work
Kitty apron mend by Jen and Wendy.
Vera from @reparierenisliebe mostly use embroidery in her mending and she does it very well.
Pictures showing Vera's marvellous embroidery mends
Beautiful unicorn patch embroidery by Vera
Inger from @ingerfrimodig also has a bit of embroidery work, even a pair of garden gloves.
Patching
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| Big butt patch |
Patching could simply be placing a patch to cover a hole. You can apply the patch either on the inside of the garment or outside.
There are many ways to use a patch. You can make it stand out or try to make it almost invisible.
I think most people will be familiar to patching a hole. And it might sound a bit dull.
What tools you will need to patch a hole?
Needle
Sewing thread or embroidery thread
Scissors
Or a sewing machine if you prefer.
Patches from fabric, you can use other worn-out clothes to make patches.
A few pins to secure the patch in the right place.
Fusible interfacing
I do recommend the patch fabric is somewhat similar to the fabric in your garment.
The patch needs to be bigger than the hole, and sometimes there will be weak areas around the hole so you might want to make a much larger patch to prevent a new holes to emerge.
Remember, you will need to secure the edges of your patch before attaching it. This can be done using zig-zag stitches using a sewing machine or use fusible interfacing or you can fold in the edges of the hole.
Sewing by hand you can use blanket stitch around the edges. This can be done while sewing the patch onto the garment.
Some fabric won’t fray for example knit fabric don’t fray easily and so you don’t need to secure edges for holes in knit fabrics.
Patch sewing tips
Pin the patch in place and start sewing it on. Either by hand or machine.
Often jeans and trousers will get a hole in the knee and it’s difficult to get to by using your sewing machine. A good tip is to open the side seem a bit to get better access, then sew it back when you are done.
Another good tip is to use motifs from old clothes as a patch. Children often have favourites and then they grow out of their clothes. And they do often appreciate having their clothe patched with their outgrown garments.
You can find a tutorial on how to patch in this earlier Post and Here
Talking about patching we must mention Erin from @gatherwhatspills who hosted the #mendmakefriends#mendmakefriends patch swap and uses a lot of patches in her mending
Marte form @marte.unikumdesigen often uses worn out or outgrown clothes for patches.
The same goes for Hanne from @bananasandgreen
Patched jeans by Hanne
Candy @heartfulstitches is very often also using patches, and likes to attach pockets to everything. You can’t mention Candy without talking about her marvellous post stamp quilt. #candyspoststampquilt Hand stitched from tiny pieces of fabric, embroidery quotes from her children, family sayings, memories, jokes, songs and drawings. Last time I checked it had around 3,350 pieces
Candy's marvellous poststampquilt.
Marissa from @andwearis often makes a little applique from some of her patches. That girl seems to be able to reuse anything.
Applique
Applique is a technique where pieces of material are attached to a larger piece of material, often in a decorative pattern. These patterns can include lettering, geometric shapes, or images. Often, the two materials used will contrast in type, colour, and/or texture so that they can be easily differentiated.
Common applique fabrics include felt, fleece, and quilting cotton, but applique can be accomplished with almost any material! Applique is often used to add colour, texture, or embellishment to a piece
This is a very fun technique and you can make almost anything you like.
I used to create appliques when I first started to mend, but not so much lately, I think I need to revisit this technique again.
You can use applique directly on your mending project or make a patch with it first.
I think it’s a good way to mend t-shirt or leggings' where you don’t need any backing on the fabric pieces. This techniques does need a bit of work if you are cutting out small pieces and iron on interfacing.
The motif can be sewn on by hand or machine
Stephanie from @swoodsonsays uses a lot of applique in her mending. Making unique pieces of garment that is often better than the original.
Cute applique rainbow mend with heart by Stephanie.
You also have the reversed applique technique there you put a piece of fabric underneath, draw a motif on the top stitching around and cut out the top fabric. It can be a bit tricky to use for mending as the motif must fit the hole or stain. And it works better with t-shirt fabric or non-fraying fabric.
I have used it for mending leggings and t-shirts.
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Pictures are published with permission from the makers.
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