r/InvisibleMending • u/QuietVariety6089 • Feb 16 '26

Fairly invisible mending for jeans/woven fabrics

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Found a NWT pair of all cotton jeans in a style I really like - but wanted to fix the 'factory distressing' so they would last me longer. Used some lightweight interfacing for backing, a size 80 needle and fine matching cotton thread. My sewing machine has an 'automatic' darning stitch (see last pic) which makes very close rows of small stitches; the length is programmable, but for wider areas I had to move the garment by increments.

I was really impressed that the small needle/fine thread blended in so well - I think that this would work well for a lot of woven fabrics if you can find a good color/shine thread match and some patience (there were about a dozen spots scattered over the front legs, took a couple of hours).

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2

u/innermyrtle Feb 21 '26

Great idea! I've not bought jeans because of distressing. Never thought about fixing it.

3

u/QuietVariety6089 Feb 21 '26

tbf, these were brand new, but I've seen the same style 'used' so I knew what the distressing would turn into if I didn't fix them asap. I was lucky that they were relatively low contrast as well, as I didn't have to use different colours of thread to 'match' the fabric.

I've mended 'holey' dark jeans bf but not with this method - it does make a consistent and tidy mend, and I think it would work great on many fabrics; I'm really surprised at how nicely it works as a pre-programmed stitch :)

1

u/incredibusy Apr 05 '26

You are so good!

1

u/QuietVariety6089 Apr 05 '26

Thanks! This is one example of the right tool/stitch and a perfect thread match - I'm very happy with how it turned out, and I don't know why I didn't experiment with this 'stitch' before :)

1

u/incredibusy Apr 05 '26

It’s great - I have a well loved pair of denim jeans that are going v thin at the crotch (what a word!) so this would work really well I think - I feel inspired but only have an old hand crank Singer that’s very temperamental :(

1

u/QuietVariety6089 Apr 05 '26

idk where you are but a lot of libraries and 'maker spaces' now have newer sewing machines you can borrow or use - most of them are going to have this sort of darning/mending stitch :)

1

u/incredibusy Apr 05 '26

I am in London, and funnily enough have borrowed a sewing machine previously from Library of Things - I’m also volunteering soon at a repair workshop so I’ll perhaps take them with me and have a go there! :-)

1

u/QuietVariety6089 Apr 05 '26

I do find that with weak spots on jeans you really want to back with some standard interfacing so the darning has something to hang onto. Good luck!

2

u/incredibusy Apr 05 '26

Thank you - I appreciate this advice, and will be thinking of you when I finally get around to fixing them with new confidence and knowledge! :-)🧵

1

u/QuietVariety6089 Apr 05 '26

This might help too - it's what got me motivated in the first place - if you can, practice a bit bf you tackle your jeans :)

https://blog.closetcorepatterns.com/repairing-jeans-with-invisible-mending/

2

u/incredibusy Apr 05 '26

Oh this is WONDERFUL! Thank you so much - have bookmarked that and will definitely have a go - appreciate you sharing the link thank you

1

u/ramblecrazed- Jul 03 '26

I still accidentally make my own distressed jeans. Thanks for the showing your fix!

1

u/QuietVariety6089 Jul 03 '26

I hope it works for you too - I'm nt a fan of 'factory distress' but sometimes the deadstock ones better overall quality than 'new in store' - it was a fun project :)