VISIBLE MENDING ｜My favorite tools

Visible mending is very accessible and doesn’t require a lot of tools. You can experiment with what you have on hand, but like anything, having the right materials will make the process easier and, of course, add fluidity to the overall experience.

Discover the list of essential materials to get started! Feel free to check out the links to shop for your visible mending sewing kit.

Sashiko Thread

Sashiko needles

There are several types of needles that differ in four factors: length, diameter, eye size (the hole), and the shape of the point. A Sashiko needle is long, with a sharp point and a sufficiently large eye to accommodate the thread, without being too large to allow the needle to easily pass-through thick fabrics, like denim. Its length allows you to complete several stitches with a single pass of the needle, making the process faster and more fluid.

My favorite Sashiko needles Click here (Amazon link)

Sashiko thimble

We tend to think of the thimble as a tool to protect the tip of the needle to avoid pricking ourselves, but it actually serves to protect the finger that pushes the needle through the fabric. Conventional thimbles are typically worn at the tip of the finger. You can wear them on the index or middle finger, and personally, I wear mine on the middle finger. The Sashiko thimble, on the other hand, is worn like a ring on the middle finger, with the needle pushed using the inside of the hand. If, like me, you're used to wearing a thimble at the tip of the finger, you might find the ring a little uncomfortable at first. In that case, feel free to keep using the traditional thimble… that's it! ;)

→ Check out timbles here! Click here (Amazon link)

Chalk penyon traceur

There are several types of tailor's chalk, and this pencil is the cream of the crop. It allows you to draw fine, precise lines. Of course, you can use whatever tailor’s chalk you have on hand, but since Sashiko patterns require drawing a grid for guidance, you'll quickly find yourself looking for a fine-tipped chalk. There are non-rechargeable pencils, but they are often of lower quality, break easily, and have a poor ecological footprint. The Bonin pencil, made in France, is rechargeable, making it a more expensive but much more durable and satisfying product in the long run.

The must-have marking pencil here! Check the product (Amazon link)

Transparent graded ruler

To draw the famous grid on the fabric that guides the Sashiko pattern, a transparent, graduated ruler is really satisfying because it allows you to quickly draw evenly spaced lines. I personally prefer a longer one.

Find the most usefull ruler ! Get it (Amazon link)

Sewing snip

Although not essential, the sewing snip is a very handy tool to use. First, it fits easily into a sewing kit. The issue with using regular sewing scissors to cut the thread at the end of a project is that, if you're distracted (say, thinking about your grocery list), the long blades of the scissors might accidentally cut the fabric along with the thread. This isn’t ideal! With a sewing snip, that risk doesn't exist because the blade is short and precise.

→ Had these snippers here ! Check the product (Amazon link)

Sewing scissors

If you often cut fabric and don't have a dedicated pair of sewing scissors, this tool should definitely be on your next Christmas wish list. It's essential! In the meantime, don’t use kitchen scissors. Instead, opt for an X-acto knife, and you'll have a much smoother cutting experience.

My favorite sewing scissors ! Get them (Amazon link)

Woven interfacing

It’s not absolutely necessary, but having a few meters of woven interfacing on hand is always practical. I use it to stabilize the inside of a pair of pants when I want to apply a patch on the outside.

Get interfacing Click here (Amazon link)

Tuto-Sewing pouch

Of course, having a lovely little pouch to store all these wonderful sewing tools is always a nice touch. What I also love about visible mending is that it can be done without a sewing machine, making it much easier to carry your project around: whether in the living room, outside on the picnic table, or on the dock in the summer. This pouch is completely hand-stitched.

I’ve prepared a full tutorial and a downloadable pattern if you want to give it a try.

Check out the tutorial Discover here

Ready to get started?

With these tools, you have everything you need to begin visible mending with ease and creativity. Take your time to build your kit based on your needs and explore different tools to find the ones that work best for you.

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