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How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching

Introduction

If your garment has a tear or hole, don’t throw it away! Instead, use this guide to repair it with Sashiko stitching, a traditional Japanese embroidery technique that reinforces fabric while adding a unique decorative touch. This method not only extends the life of your clothing, but also embraces sustainable fashion by reducing waste and encouraging creativity.

While this guide focuses on mending a sweatshirt, Sashiko stitching can be used to repair any article of clothing and it works particularly well with denim, cotton, and other woven fabrics. The stitch pattern reinforces worn areas, preventing further fraying, while transforming a simple repair into a bold design. There are no special skills necessary for this fix as this guide covers a beginner friendly approach. If you would like to explore more advanced designs, we would recommend the following resources: Up Cycle Stitches, Waste Free Planet, Seam Work.

What you need

  1. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching, How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 1, image 1 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching, How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 1, image 2 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching, How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 1, image 3 of 3

    • Cut away any loose threads around the tear.

    Edit

  2. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 2, image 1 of 2 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Measure how big your patch should be.

    • Your patch should extend at least half an inch past the tear.

    Edit

  3. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 3, image 1 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 3, image 2 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • Cut your patch using measurements from Step 2.

    • You can use any sturdy fabric for your patch.

    Edit

  4. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 4, image 1 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 4, image 2 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Pin your patch to the inside of the garment.

    • Make sure the patch is centered on the tear.

    • Be careful pushing pins through to not poke yourself.

    Edit

  5. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 5, image 1 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 5, image 2 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Flip the garment right side out.

    • Over the patch, mark small dashes every half inch, horizontally and vertically.

    • These marks should create small crosses to guide your stitches later on.

    • We used a regular ballpoint pen in this step, but for a less permanent mark we recommend using tailor’s chalk or specific fabric pens that will wash out.

    Edit

  6. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 6, image 1 of 2 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Thread your needle and pull the thread through at least 5 inches.

    • Wetting and pinching the end of the thread can help fit the thread through the eye of the needle.

    Edit

  7. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Cut the thread to a single arm’s length.

    • The length should be manageable to you; shorter is better than longer.

    Edit

  8. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 8, image 1 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 8, image 2 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • Tie a double knot at the end of your thread.

    • Trim off any excess.

    Edit

  10. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 9, image 1 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 9, image 2 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 9, image 3 of 3

    • Start your stitch from the inside of the garment, beginning at the top right horizontal stitch.

    Edit

  11. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 10, image 1 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 10, image 2 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • Start your horizontal stitch, going over the marks, and under the gaps.

    Edit

  12. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 11, image 1 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 11, image 2 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 11, image 3 of 3

    • After a couple stitches, pull your needle and thread all the way through.

    • Smooth out your stitches to avoid bunching.

    Edit

  13. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 12, image 1 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 12, image 2 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 12, image 3 of 3

    • Repeat steps 10 and 11 until you reach the end of the first row.

    Edit

  14. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 13, image 1 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 13, image 2 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 13, image 3 of 3

    • On the last stitch of a row, stitch down to start the next row.

    • You may need to rotate the garment between rows to make stitching easier.

    Edit

  15. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 14, image 1 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 14, image 2 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 14, image 3 of 3

    • Repeat steps 10 through 13 until all horizontal stitches are done.

    • On the last stitch, push the needle through to the inside of the garment.

    Edit

  16. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 15, image 1 of 2 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the pins from the patch.

    Edit

  17. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 16, image 1 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 16, image 2 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 16, image 3 of 3

    • Make a small stitch through just the patch, right next to where the needle came through.

    • Pull the thread almost all the way through, leaving a small loop.

    Edit

  18. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 17, image 1 of 2 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 17, image 2 of 2

    • Pull the needle through the loop twice.

    Edit

  19. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 18, image 1 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 18, image 2 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 18, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the thread tight to knot off.

    • Trim any excess thread.

    Edit

  20. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 19, image 1 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 19, image 2 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 19, image 3 of 3

    • Begin your vertical stitches, starting at the top right corner.

    • You may need to start a new thread; see Steps 6-8.

    Edit

  21. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 20, image 1 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 20, image 2 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 20, image 3 of 3

    • Repeat Steps 10-13 along your vertical stitch marks.

    Edit

  22. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 21, image 1 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 21, image 2 of 3 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 21, image 3 of 3

    • On your last stitch, push your needle through to the inside.

    Edit

  23. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 22, image 1 of 2 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 22, image 2 of 2

    • Make a small stitch through just the patch, right next to where the needle came through.

    • Pull the thread almost all the way through, leaving a small loop.

    Edit

  24. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 23, image 1 of 2 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 23, image 2 of 2

    • Pull the needle through the loop twice.

    Edit

  25. How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 24, image 1 of 2 How to Mend a Tear Using Sashiko Stitching: step 24, image 2 of 2

    • Trim any excess thread.

    Edit
Conclusion

You have now successfully mended your garment! Revisit this guide to mend other garments with any holes or tears.

Author

with 4 other contributors

TaShun Blanchard

Member since: 02/19/25

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Team

UC Davis, Team 3-5, Andersen Winter 2025 Member of UC Davis, Team 3-5, Andersen Winter 2025

UCD-ANDERSEN-W25S3G5

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