When to Use Visible Mending

When you get a hole or a rip in your clothing, visible mending is a way to celebrate imperfection and add personality to your clothes by making the repair not only apparent but attractive. 

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In a world of fast fashion, visible mending is a way to protest fast fashion and build a pro-planet closet.

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Use this guide to find out which clothing repairs are the best contenders for visible mending.

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Pros of visible mending

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Visible mending is a great skill to learn for repairing your clothes in a way that's unique to your style. If these pros appeal to you, try out these 6 styles of visible mending.

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Sustainability

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No matter which way you choose to mend, mending extends the life of your clothes and keeps them out of landfills. Visible mending is a way to show off your sustainability effort and normalize clothing repairs.

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Personal Expression

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There are many mending styles to choose from. Choose the one that best suits your style. Plus, turn a mundane repair task into an opportunity for artistic expression and customization. Each repair becomes a one-of-a-kind piece of wearable art.

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Cost-Effective

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Many visible mending techniques like sashiko, embroidery, applique, and darning use basic materials like fabric scraps and embroidery floss that are budget-friendly. Also, by extending the life of your clothes, you can get more wears for your money. 

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Skill Building

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Learning visible mending techniques can improve your sewing and embroidery skills, fostering a deeper connection with your clothing and encouraging you to take care of your garments.

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Cons of visible mending

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Visible mending isn't perfect for every garment or every occasion. Before you dive in, weigh the pros against the cons to choose the best situations to try visible mending.

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Formal Occasions or Delicate Fabrics

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Formal garments and occasions may not be contenders for visible mending. If you want a more streamlined look or you’re working with a more delicate fabric, you may want to consider taking some garments to a professional tailor.

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Learning Curve

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While there are many mending techniques that are easy for beginners, some may take time and practice, especially if you're new to sewing or embroidery. 

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Preference and Taste

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If none of the visible mending techniques suit your style, you may want to try more traditional, discreet mending to repair your clothing.  

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Durability and Coverage

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Depending on the specific technique used and the fabrics involved, visible mending may not be as durable as hidden mending methods. The decorative elements may be more prone to wear and tear over time.

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In some cases, visible mending may not be suitable for repairing very large or complex rips and tears. Traditional repair methods might be more practical for such extensive damage.

Try one of these visible mending techniques for your next rip or tear.