Visible repairs were not something I had really heard about until probably about 6 months ago and I was immediately taken in by them. Repairing broken clothing and textiles by making them look more unique and creative and often better than they were before? Now that's my cup of tea.

I've been trying to learn to repair my clothes over the last 6 months too, not all visible, and did film a video back in June of my first attempt at it which I never got round to posting. I have to say that it's incredibly rewarding to once again wear a beloved piece of clothing knowing that you mended it with your own two hands (and often sewing machine). There were pieces in my fixing pile that i hadn't worn in over a year and having them part of my life again felt like having a brand new piece of clothing, just magic.
But then I was going up, learning to visible repair. I never actually stopped wearing the jeans in this post, bought second hand in Cambodia four years ago for the grand sum of 50p I didn't wear them much when I first bought them but since starting uni they've become an absolute staple in my wardrobe.

Then they ripped, fine at first as I do love a ripped jean, but the ripping didn't stop with just a cute little knee slit. My knee kept getting caught in my knee slit and opening it further, then one fateful day when I was out taking photos a small rip below my butt cheek ripped open and I knew I had to do something about it.

Armed with a sewing machine and some beautiful fabric that my Nan kindly gave to me years ago I got to work repairing them. The full video of the process of this (and the Jacket patching) is here too.


And I have to say I'm incredibly happy with the result, I didn't sew the jeans together, it's pretty secure and looks pretty too! The fabric even matches one of my favourite shirts. And for someone with not much practice sewing I'd say I did a pretty good job.

Next up was the jacket. I have always wanted a denim or leather jacket to patch up with memories and meaningful things, when I was travelling a few years ago I even bought patches from the places I'd travelled in anticipation of this (though less than I originally thought).

Four years I had bought patches waiting until just a month or two ago I was in Camden with a friend of mine and I came across a patch shop with lots of second hand denim jackets, all £15. I found one with a corduroy collar and green cowboy boot lining and that was that, a love story. I haven't put all my patches on just yet as I'm waiting to get a few more to decide on colour scheme/design for the back, but it's started nicely.

There is one patch I bought that I will not be putting on my jacket though, and that is one I bought in Nepal of the eyes of the Buddha, back when I was travelling, very interested in buddhist philosophy,  and quite naive, I bought the patch thinking it would be a nice reminder to stay present and kind whilst also being very pretty. But this symbol is one that usually adorns Stupas, monuments often on the remains of buddhist monks and nuns and on temples.

They symbolise the wisdom of Buddha and seeing past material things, desire, and greed. And so having them as a mostly aesthetic patch on my jacket really doesn't feel right. It's currently sitting in a drawer and I'm not entirely sure what is the best thing to do with it so if you have any suggestions do let me know.
A success all round I think! I have a pair of jeans that have had four years of wear that will hopefully have a few more, plus they're uniquely mine now. It's going to take me a while to finishing patching this jacket but I can't wait to see how it transforms, and to do some more repairing. Have you done any visible repairing? I'm currently preparing a blog post on other people's clothing repair love stores and would love to hear yours too!