I’ve recently been asked to recommend threads to use for visible mending. There are a lot of variables in answering that question, so I decided to post a few pictures, describe the thread I used and share links to where you can order it without having to leave your desk!
Stitched spider web covering a hole
One of my favorite threads is Razzle by Wonderfil. It’s 100% Rayon and comes in a bunch of solid colors, though my current fave is RZM13, pictured here. It’s a nice thick thread so it covers holes solidly and quickly.
When I’m looking for something strong that’s not too visible (say when you need to cover those holes on your backside) I really like Guterman’s Hand Quilting Thread. It’s a dream to sew with and the fabric will wear out before the thread does.
Sturdy threads are needed for high stress areas.
Mending a knee with colored threads that mimic the patch. Very visible mending!
Decorative visible mending with DMC Perle cotton used to patch jeans.
I keep a large stash of DMC Perle Cotton Size 5. It comes on on 10 gram spools for colors you use all the time. You can also pick it up in 27 yard skeins for colors you just want to use as an accent. Those 27 yard skeins go pretty quickly when you’ve got a big patch to cover. The photo on the left is of a knee patch which is why it looks so bubbled up - room for that knee to bend.
DMC Perle Cotton used to hand-stitch patches onto denim jeans. Decorative stitches highlight the visible mending.
Finally, a thread I create myself.
In Arashi Shibori, fabric is wrapped onto a pole and thread is used to manipulate folds to resist the dye. As I unwrapped the cloth I discovered that the thread took the color differently with each piece of cloth. Not wanting to waste this gorgeous thread I began using it in my visible mending projects and shared it with students in my classes. They came to enjoy using it as much as I did, and so I began packaging it for sale.
You can order it here.
