Sustainable clothing is super important these days, especially when it comes to fixing up and reusing the stuff we’ve already got.

Instead of tossing clothes when they get a little worn or torn, giving them a new lease on life by sewing up holes, swapping out buttons, or even getting crafty and turning old favorites into something fresh is a total game-changer.

It’s all about reducing waste and giving our wardrobe faves a chance to shine for longer. Plus, getting hands-on with repairs and DIY projects adds a cool personal touch to our style while helping out the planet.

We’ve been hanging out on the r/VisibleMending subreddit, discovering some creative ways to use denim embroidery to give a new lease of life to your favorite worn-in but now worn-out jeans!

Scroll down to be inspired, and also discover 5 simple tips to help you get started with denim embroidery.

This patch might bite you in the…rear pocket of the vintage jeans I patched. Scrap of stretchy fabric and sashiko thread.

My mom had a hole in her jeans. Now she has a poppy sticking out of her pocket 🙂

I like to think of this as my ode to Monet’s water lillies.

Mending hole in jeans with rainbow weave + patching from behind

5 Tips for getting started with denim embroidery and visible mending

Here are five tips to help you get started with denim embroidery:

1. Choose the Right Denim: Opt for denim fabric with a medium weight and a tight weave, as it will be easier to work with and provide better stability for your embroidery stitches. Pre-washed denim is ideal, as it reduces the risk of shrinkage after embroidering.
2. Gather Essential Supplies: You’ll need some embroidery supplies including embroidery needles (size 7 or 9), embroidery floss or thread, an embroidery hoop (6-8 inches in diameter), fabric scissors, and a water-soluble fabric marker or chalk for marking your design on the denim.
3. Start with Simple Designs: Begin with basic embroidery stitches such as backstitch, satin stitch, and French knot before moving on to more complex designs. Simple motifs like flowers, stars, or geometric shapes are great for practicing your stitching techniques on denim.
4. Stabilize the Fabric: To prevent puckering and distortion of the denim fabric while embroidering, it’s essential to stabilize it properly. Place the denim in the embroidery hoop, ensuring it is taut but not overly stretched. You can also use interfacing or stabilizer on the back of the denim to provide additional support.
5. Experiment with Thread Colors and Textures: Denim provides a versatile canvas for embroidery, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different thread colors and textures to enhance your designs. Consider using contrasting thread colors or metallic threads to make your embroidery pop against the denim fabric.

Remember to practice patience and take your time to master each stitch technique. With practice and experimentation, you’ll soon create beautiful embroidered designs on denim!

Keep scrolling for more denim embroidery inspo!

My first attempt. I had a rip going up the entire side of the pocket. I tried some darning and then some simple embroidery. The pocket is still usable.

Color changing thread is my favorite for mending

Doggo got a hold of my favorite dress so I tried visible mending for the first time.

Mended a tear in my jeans with some floral embroidery.

Used some vintage trim for decoration, some scrap denim, and cotton embroidery floss

Decided to use embroidery thread to recreate how the denim strands originally looked on one, and have a fabric patch for the other!

Weaving was done with a speed weave, the eye was an attempt at embroidery

Vintage Eddie Bauer denim jacket reworking a vintage Mickey Mouse pillow case with hand and machine stitching

Sunflower embroidery patch for a hole in my jeans

Patched and covered a rip next to my jeans’ pocket! It’s my first big attempt at decorative embroidery.

Embroidered over a tear in these jeans!

My 10 year old mended my jeans for me

Now it’s time for you to revamp your denim game and patch your jeans using embroidery. Embrace visible mending and give your favorite jeans a new lease of life!