Some of you may remember that I took a class in Sashiko Stitchinga few years ago and then a few months later played around with mending some sweaters using this technique. Since then, I’ve become very aware of how very durable good denim is and of how many years of wear is artificially (mechanically or chemically) imposed on those ubiquitous ripped and frayed jeans found in fast-fashion shops everywhere. And I’ve become increasingly impatient that neither mine nor Pater’s jeans are likely to offer a mending playground anytime soon.
Thus I was delighted to read a text from my daughter last week advising that The Twelve’s jeans have ripped beyond that near-teen’s tolerance. Twelve had suggested that Nana could probably fix the jeans and perhaps do something cool but not flamboyant in terms of decorative stitchery, and my daughter wondered if I’d mind. . . .
Well! You know the answer to that question, don’t you? All I asked was that she send along an older, outgrown pair of jeans from which I could harvest patching material, and you can see the rest for yourselves. . . Visible mending ahead. . .
Top photo, and this one, below. . . I’ve pinned a patch cut from the outgrown jeans, making sure there’s a substantial margin extending beyond the ripped area. To ensure that I don’t end up stitching through the back of the leg accidentally, I put a small plate underneath the patch.
I won’t show you how to do the Sashiko stitching itself — my skills are pretty rudimentary and there are numerous videos available on YouTube. Much depends on getting a decent sashiko needle (strong and sharp and long-ish) and the proper thread (strong cotton, flat finish, not stranded, but twisted). . . and after this project I would advise a good sashiko thimble as well. I know I’m putting one on my wish list (I’ve been very happy ordering from A Threaded Needle; there’s a wealth of information about sashiko on their website. That recommendation was neither solicited nor compensated — just sharing in case it’s helpful to you).
I started with parallel rows of running stitch and then crossed those with parallel lines on the perpendicular. It got awkward at times, manoeuvring within that pant leg, turning, avoiding the back of the leg, working over the frayed edges. . . but the work went quickly and, of course, it’s always fun to see the results emerging. . .
After some consultations, I decided to break up the stitched surface by changing the pattern, so I stitched a band of parallel zigazgging rows, and then at the left, I returned to the crosses, but scattered randomly over the rows of vertical stitching. . .
At this point, I was very pleased with the completed Fix, but aware that pre-teens can be both particular and unpredicatable. . . .
So I was thrilled to read her text “Nana, I love them!” in response to this photo. . .
But I wasn’t quite ready to return them to her. . .
First, a quick sketch in my journal. . .
Yesterday, my daughter texted me a photo of our girl wearing her mended jeans, styled with Converse high-tops and this sweater, which I knit for her last year.
Who says Frugal can’t be fun and Homemade can’t be “stylin”?
Not us, right?
Before I go, a little Advent gift for you . . . found when I was scrolling back to find a photo of that sweater, this very short video of an animated Christmas windowon Paris’ Boulevard Hausmann last December. And if you want more Paris, pop over to High Heels in the Wilderness because Sue has whisked us all to the City of Lightfor a dream weekend.
chat soon,
xo,
f
That kind of needlework looks like so much fun, Frances. I hate sewing. Much to Stu's chagrin because he always has to have his pants hemmed. I love that your granddaughter loves her mended jeans.
I remember wearing a hand-me-down pair of jeans in grade ten, the first year we were allowed to wear jeans to school. And I didn't own a pair, so my sister Connie gave me a pair of her old ones, onto which she had added flowered material to the bottoms and up the leg when they shrank. Do you remember doing that? They were so cute… but they were different from everyone else's jeans. Sadly, I was very shy and really didn't want anything that the other kids did NOT have so as to NOT stand out. So when some boys loitering in the hallway at school said,"Nice jeans." to me as I scurried by, I assumed they were being sarcastic. And didn't even stop. Sigh. So glad those days are gone.
P.S. THanks for the mention. I had lots of fun writing about Paris, even though I don't know it at all well. So lots of research, and lots of rather vague description. Ha.
So nice to "meet" you on our fantasy trip to Paris!
I've been wanting to try sashiko mending ever since I first heard of it, but like you, I've discovered that jeans never seem to wear out! At least mine don't and I'm not sure hubby would be impressed with fancy stitching of any kind.
Lovely!
Dottoressa
Those are great! It is wonderful to be frugal and stylish at the same time.
A nice little work of art.
Aren't authentically frayed jeans the best? Can not imagine buying them pre-frayed and ripped. Also had no idea chemicals are used to produce ones bought already worn in. But, thread and needle to the rescue in any case makes for something uniquely hers…and with her high-tops and sweater, lovingly made, she is belle of the ball, I am sure.
A.in London (temporarily and suddenly in a very cold Maine)
She must be the most stylish pre-teen for miles around:).
Sue: Funny — I don't remember that about jeans in my cohort, but my daughters did that in mid-90s — actually opened the side seams of their jeans all the way down the leg to sew in a strip of colourful print or rich velvet. . . resulted in baggy jeans which they'd belt and wear with Docs or Fluevogs. . .
Elaine: Yes, it was fun to put faces to names! Sashiko is also done as samplers or for table runners, napkins, etc. . .
Dottoressa, Mme., Mary: Thank you!
A in London: I've been wondering about you. Hope all's well and you're staying safe. But your mother. . .I have thought of you and of her. As for the jeans, I don't know the process for the wear, but it would be tough to achieve the levels of distress by only mechanical means. I would include bleach as a chemical, and of course you'll remember acid-washed. . .;-)
Lisa: She's still a bit conservative, but discerning, I think. Taking her time, gathering. . .
I rejuvenated a pair of my husband's gardening jeans with a bit of sashiko this past fall. It was far more fun than the iron-on patches that had been my previous solution and I suspect it will last longer too. However it was not easy to work through the layers of denim. I used standard needles and quilting thread, perhaps a bit stronger than regular sewing thread and at least all cotton. I didn't realize that there are specific needles and thread for the purpose and I'm grateful to know that for future projects. So thanks for that information.
Thanks too for the little glimpse into the fantasy world of Paris department store displays. It made me go and take a video peek at this year's theme and I do like last year's better. 2020's seemed darker to me somehow, but maybe I am projecting.
So timely — I had just ordered some supplies for sashiko mending!! they arrived yesterday but I won't have time to play around with it until the weekend. I have a pair of already distressed and patched jeans from Chico's, but the stitching was coming off around I did a horrible job of re-sewing, so I figured I might just as well try something intentionally visible.
Also, I am so impressed with your knitting projects *sigh*. I am still trying to finish the Bateaux Mouches shawl I started last year. Each row takes me 20-30 minutes now that there are so many stitches, so I don't get that added adrenaline from seeing my progress.
Hello Frances! I don’t know which I love more…your results with sashiko mending OR your granddaughter thinking/requesting your skills! That is a very tender bond!
Hubs and I are going crazy (as in angry) with the political antics in this country. On the other hand, the President-Elect and V.P.-Elect are leading with purpose, grace, and vision…spreading hope as they forge ahead. (Hope this isn’t too political!)
Love your artistic accomplishments here…sashiko, watercolor, and knitting!
Hope you are well and safe!
Charlene H