Clean denim garment with a small hole
1
Use a clean denim garment you already own that needs a small hole repaired.
Crafts
Visible mending and sashiko.
Cover a small hole in denim with a backing patch and visible rows of running stitches.
- Makes
- 1 small denim repair
- Hands-on
- 1–2 hours
- Total time
- 1–2 hours
- Effort
- Some practice
GET WHAT YOU NEED
Your shopping list
For 1 small denim repair.
Prewashed denim backing patch
1 piece extending at least 1 inch beyond damage
Cotton sashiko thread
Several 18-inch lengths
Amounts are what the project uses, not package sizes. Compare quantities and product details before buying.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
Tools & supplies
Sashiko needle and thimble
Pushes thread through denim layers.
Scissors and sewing pins
Trims loose threads and holds the patch.
Tailor’s chalk
Marks simple parallel stitching lines.
STEP BY STEP
Put it together
Inspect
Trim only loose frayed threads. Ensure the surrounding fabric is strong enough to hold stitches.
Position
Pin the patch inside, centered under the damage. Keep the opposite side of the trouser leg clear.
Secure
Thread the needle and knot the end. Stitch around the hole through both garment and patch.
Reinforce
Mark parallel lines across the patch area. Sew small running stitches: needle down, then up a short distance ahead. Keep fabric flat, not puckered.
Finish
Secure thread ends inside. Remove pins and check that no loose edges catch when worn.
Good to know
- This is a simple visible repair inspired by running-stitch mending, not a lesson in every sashiko tradition.
- Large worn-through areas and stressed seams may need a tailor or a bigger repair.
SAVE THE MAKING
Prefer it ready-made?
Compare these finished options with making your own.
Finished embroidered sew-on patches
A predecorated patch; attachment is still needed.
Links go to the selected products. Availability and delivery vary by location; check the current listing and package size before ordering.
Sources & further reading
Independent instructions informed by the sources below. No affiliation or endorsement is implied. These instructions have not been kitchen- or workshop-tested by DIBuyIt.
- Clover: denim mending for beginners — Backing patch and reinforcement; pins replace the optional dome