By Sandy Barber
Director, Creative Arts Center
I first learned how to embroider in elementary school—using yarn and burlap.
As a teen and adult, I spent countless hours cross-stitching, creating intricate pieces of fiber art. Some of my favorite projects included teddy bear-themed designs for my oldest daughter and several train-inspired pieces for my dad, who had a deep love for locomotives.
Recently, I rekindled my passion for embroidery and stumbled upon a fascinating trend called visible mending—an art rooted in the traditional Japanese practice of sashiko.
Sashiko (刺し子) literally means “little stabs” in Japanese and traditionally uses white thread on indigo fabric. What began as a practical reinforcement technique for work clothes has now evolved into an art form of its own that blends mending and artistry.
While scrolling online, I kept seeing ads for jeans with charming patches and embroidery. They were beautiful but came with a hefty price tag—$100 or more! Instead of buying a pair, I decided to try my hand at creating my own.
I started by searching my closet and found a well-loved pair of jeans beginning to show signs of wear. Where a small hole had formed, I stitched a bright yellow and orange flower to reinforce the fabric while adding a touch of flair. Then, I sewed on colorful fabric patches, securing them with embroidery stitches that not only held them in place but also gave the jeans even more personality.
Excited by my success, I went thrifting at one of my favorite shops in Austin and found two pairs of Levi’s that were perfect for my next projects.
For one pair, I embroidered a rainbow of flowers along the bottom cuffs, transforming them into a wearable piece of art. I used DMC embroidery thread for this project, with all six strands of thread.
On the other, I patched the knee holes with fun, patterned fabric and added matching cuffs. To complete the look, I embroidered flowers and a peace sign, blending nostalgic charm with modern creativity.
Spreading the Joy of Mending
My newfound love for visible mending quickly caught the interest of fellow creatives at the Creative Arts Center in Bonham.
First, Jessie asked me to add patches and embroidery to a beloved pair of jeans. I enjoyed the process, reinforcing worn spots and giving her old denim a fresh new look.
Then, Michelle approached me with a well-worn shirt, asking if I could mend it. It was a quick project that I completed in one evening while watching TV. She loved the result and, just a few days later, handed me another shirt to repair. This second project took more time, as it had multiple holes and signs of wear. It also gave me the perfect opportunity to use my new sashiko templates. I embroidered stars that complemented the large starburst design on the back of the shirt and, knowing Michelle’s love of poetry, I used fabric printed with words to patch the largest hole.
Both Jessie and Michelle completely trusted me with their garments, giving me full artistic license. I had a blast selecting fabrics and threads that matched their personalities and preferences. The end results? Old, worn-out clothing saved from the landfill, reborn with fresh, unique designs that make them fun to wear.
More Than Just Mending
Visible mending has not only saved me money and helped me earn some extra spending cash, but it has also reignited my love for stitching. It gives my hands and mind something meaningful to do while watching TV or winding down at the end of the day. I’ve noticed that stitching makes me feel much better mentally compared to endlessly scrolling on my phone.
Join Me!
If you’re curious about visible mending and want to learn how to do it yourself, join me for one of my upcoming classes, including Embroidery Basics or Groovy Jeans. Or come to our next Sip & Stitch, where we can share projects, swap tips, and inspire one another. Let’s turn mending into a movement!
(The Groovy Jeans class is scheduled for June 14 & 21. As soon as that class is posted, we will update the link here.)
I learned to embroider with burlap and yarn when I was 10 years old and in Girl Scouts.
Sandy and Jessie in their groovy jeans!
I love these rainbow flowers I embroidered on a pair of thrifted jeans.
Michelle’s first shirt I worked on. I added a patch where there was a hole and mended the seam with colorful cross stitches.
Michelle’s second shirt, after patches were added, but before any stitching started.
Used one of my new sashiko templates and a water erasable pen to mark where I would add the stitches to the largest hole on the back of the shirt.
Michelle’s second shirt completed!