My work jeans have developed holes in the knees and are getting thin from years of use. I’ve now finished mending the left leg of my work jeans using boro and I’m pleased with how they look. But, more importantly, they will now last for a while longer. I’ve added strength as well as decoration by patching and using visible mending with sashiko and boro stitching.
Using boro to mend
I used a pocket from another old pair of jeans and visible mending on the knee. Then, I added the sleeve from a short-sleeved striped denim shirt on the thigh. This shirt was a lucky charity shop find. My stitching was done free hand – I made up the pattern as I went along. I love the narrow stripes in the denim patch and they actually made the stitching easier giving me lines I could follow.
Sashiko repair to leg of jeans
I’m now busy repairing the right leg with sashiko stitching. To start with I drew a grid on the leg so I have a guide for my sashiko stitching. This time I’ve used a denim patch inside the leg – it came from the old jeans I removed the pocket from. I’ve used safety pins to hold the denim patch in place before I tacked it as the whole of the thigh and knee needs reinforcing. I’ve decided to use the sashiko persimmon flower pattern and a varigated thread. I’m finding it a bit more difficult to stitch as it’s such a long piece of pattern, but I’m pleased with how it’s looking.
My husband is loving the look of my visible mending with sashiko and boro, and now wants me to repair his work jeans too. He has a major hole in one leg, so I need to think about how I patch it. I’ve still a bit more sashiko stitching to do before I can get started on his jeans. Have you any suggestions on whether I go with boro or use sashiko stitching? I can let my needle wonder with boro or use a grid for beautiful sashiko repeat patterns.
If you’re interested in finding out more about Sashiko stitching head over to my Sashiko workshops page.
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