Darning is a sewing technique that is used to repair seamless holes in clothing or fabric. This method can be executed by either hand stitching or using a sewing machine.
Hand Darning
With hand stitching, a hole is repaired by running thread in a weave or criss-cross pattern across the space. This fills the area with new thread. This mending work on knitwear can be done to where you would have never known a hole existed. There are also other options of hand stitching, like swiss darning for example. This method blends the thread into the same stitching pattern as the fabric.
Machine Darning
Using a sewing machine produces a much different look to the repair. Loose thread will be lined horizontally across the gap and sewn over vertically to cover the gap. The most common darning method on denim creates a zig-zag pattern with the thread. For denimheads, these patterns on jeans are like having trophies. Repaired denim can be a huge flex to show how worn and beat up the garments are.
This is an amazing example of worn in Levi’s 501s that had repairs, pictures courtesy of my close friend.
Darning is one of the many methods of mending your garments which reduces textile waste. If you have a hole in your denim or sweaters, give darning a try!
Check out this article to see some sweater brands that are great to buy second-hand!