General Mends

For those who have got used to mending or who have a particular problem, general mends look at common mending problems with practical solutions. Scan down the options, and select what looks most like your garment challenge. Clothing is individual, and rarely are two garments the same – but ideas and techniques apply across different items.
From socks to elbow holes, and jacket seam splits to shoes, there are plenty of ideas and tips here so enjoy watching and learning.

 Mending Jeans

Mending tears in jeans

Follow this sewing tutorial to mend the crotch of worn-out jeans. No sewing machine needed.

    Shasiko visible patches on jeans

You can use patching on any woven clothes and enjoy being a bit more expressive.

Make frayed hems on denim look good

How to hem frayed edges on jeans? Watch and learn. If you want to try visible mending on jeans, this video gives some simple ideas for what to do with frayed hems.

Sashiko decorative mend on jeans

In this method the stitches are visible, and they can be very decorative if you want to do a creative visible mend. Here we have stuck to simple stitches for a functional workwear look. 

 Mending Knitwear

Mending small holes in jumpers

Often caused by moths or a pulled thread.  Most holes can be closed and almost invisible.

Mending knitwear collars

When the collar separates from the knitwear it can be fixed easily.

Mending underarm holes in knitwear

Clever mending can make a garment wearable, even with larger holes.

Mending holes in socks

Whip stitch holds fabric together without a heavy seam that rubs.

Patching elbow on fine knitwear

No elbows on the table jumper? Try this patching technique!

Creative Mending – Elbow Patches

Should we call this a snowflake mend… or a spider’s web? Either way, it creates an attractive cover for a hole, as well as reinforcing the fabric around it

How to move rib on knitwear

This was a dress, now it’s a much worn cropped jumper and it cost £1 plus my time to change it to something useful.

Mending Knitted joggers

Great knitted joggers but a large hole in the knee. Watch the video to learn about handling different fabrics and wise solutions.

Reshaping Knitwear Sleeves

This tutorial teaches you how to shorten sleeves on fine knitwear while giving it a creative new look.

Patching T-shirts

Always patch with similar fabric and for jersey cloths, which are stretchy, make sure your stitches work too.  Get ideas from this mend, which needed small holes fixing as well as a huge one!

Mend a cuff on sweater, jumper or cardigan

Get an idea of how you can easily restore a much-needed or loved garment.

Split Seams

Gathering, a real mend

Gathering is simple to fix, watch and see.

Ladder stitch, a real mend

You can’t open double-layered jackets easily, but here is how.  The jacket is still used regularly two years later but without this fix, it would have been in landfill.

Herringbone, a real mend

See how a hem stitch looks on trousers.

See how a hem stitch looks on trousers.

Backstitch, a real mend

Backstitch in action on a long mend, saved good garment.

Backstitch in action on a long mend, saved good garments.

Fast Fix – Trouser Seam

Essential mending and ready for any emergency

Mending a tear in a waistband

See how you can patch attractively when the fabric is really damaged.  Two years later this garment is getting plenty of wear…

Patching

Mending a tear in a waistband

See how you can patch attractively when the fabric is really damaged.  Two years later this garment is getting plenty of wear…

Patching T-shirts

Always patch with similar fabric and for jersey cloths, which are stretchy, make sure your stitches work too.  Get ideas from this mend, which needed small holes fixing as well as a huge one!

Mend with visible patches

This video shows a basic patching technique useful for many items.  A running stitch through both layers is perfect for fabric which does not require stretch.

Sashiko decorative mend on jeans

In this method the stitches are visible, and they can be very decorative if you want to do a creative visible mend. Here we have stuck to simple stitches for a functional workwear look. 

Sportswear & Shoes

Mending a rip in a cycling jacket

Sports fabrics are hardwearing and great for purpose but are mostly synthetic, which makes mending and keeping them in use even more important as they won’t biodegrade once you’re done with them!

Visible Mending – Sport Shoes No.1

It’s possible to mend sports shoes easily, visibly but proudly. Take the time to watch this, opens up possibilities. An expensive pair of Scarpa summer walking boots are saved for many more seasons by chain stitch.

Mending waterproof jackets with nylon tape

Sewing through waterproof outdoor jackets is not good, it tears the waterproof membrane, but using a patch and replacing it when necessary will keep your stuff in use – and that’s the aim.

Mending sports leggings

A useful technique to fix those small holes, so they don’t become large ones – obvs.  “Wooly nylon” thread is worth investing in.

Mending running shoes

A really popular mend, good to see the runners keep running!

Mending big holes in lycra

Yes, mended two years ago, no-one has noticed this mend, even though it’s huge!  A great stitch to learn for big stretchy tears.

Coats & Jackets

Fix a split in a down jacket 

Ladder stitch, a real mend

Genuine drama where a jacket was saved! Watch and learn.

Mending a rip in a cycling jacket

Sports fabrics are hardwearing and great for purpose but are mostly synthetic, which makes mending and keeping them in use even more important as they won’t biodegrade once you’re done with them!

Mending waterproof jacket with nylon tape