r/Visiblemending Feb 19 '25

MIXED METHODS So almost exactly 5 years ago I posted my favourite jeansshorts, so I decided to recreate the image.

They kept falling apart, so I kept mending them. I said then that they were more stitches than fabric at that point, and I'd say that quote is more applicable now, but we will see how I feel in another five years. Apologies for the awful camera.

846 Upvotes

37 comments sorted by

234

u/penguinspie Feb 19 '25

Jeans of Theseus

83

u/ASuspicousLookingEgg Feb 19 '25

I call them my Terry Patchett Pants, due to a ship of Theseus-esque quote in I believe it is "Thud!"?

26

u/Representative-Low23 Feb 19 '25

The ax of my father

22

u/ASuspicousLookingEgg Feb 19 '25

It's still a pretty good axe!

9

u/Cat_Kn1t_Repeat Feb 19 '25

I was just thinking of this!

53

u/Forward-Community708 Feb 19 '25

WOW! I can only imagine how comfy these must be after so much wear, while also still looking so solid and beautiful!

21

u/ASuspicousLookingEgg Feb 19 '25

They are very much moulded to me :)

51

u/StepfordMisfit Feb 19 '25

Link to 5 yrs ago post, so y'all don't have to hunt like I did

https://www.reddit.com/r/Visiblemending/s/UMQ6fIWOAb

ETA Love the update!

16

u/ASuspicousLookingEgg Feb 19 '25

Probably should have added that actually, so thanks!

6

u/Zilvervlinder Feb 19 '25

They looked awesome then and look more awesome now!!

98

u/PlasticGuitar1320 Feb 19 '25

I love these, they are stunning! This is what true sashiko is about.. the stitching becomes the piece, adding layers of history each time.. it’s beautiful…

17

u/Zilvervlinder Feb 19 '25

Came here to say this. They are so beautiful and unique.

14

u/PlasticGuitar1320 Feb 19 '25

Yeah it’s an amazing tradition, I was explaining it to my mum the other day and she was blown away by how beautiful pieces get the more mends are added… like mending pottery with gold, a broken pieces increases in value..I think these jeans should be framed once they retire

5

u/Zilvervlinder Feb 19 '25

I definitely agree :D
I once had a leather jacket thrifted that I mended with silver thread until I literally couldn't anymore. It was so pretty.

2

u/PlasticGuitar1320 Feb 21 '25

Amazing! I’ve been on a mission for the last ten years to only buy clothes if it’s absolutely necessary.. (even then I will thrift or buy second hand) and basically mend/upcycle/re-use everything I have.. it’s been fun. I have 3 kids and I do the same with their clothing.. except I tend to sew more new items for them and then alter and upcycle to use the items for the youngest kid who is 10 years younger than the teen boys.. I’m a tailor by trade and I offer the same services to clients if they choose to mend/upcycle rather than just toss out..

1

u/Zilvervlinder Feb 21 '25

That's super cool! You must have a ton of skill then, your kids are so lucky! Near where I live there is also a shop where there's second hand but also upcycled/altered stuff made by the folks who work there. It's super neat. You won't see the same piece twice!

1

u/PlasticGuitar1320 Feb 22 '25

Oh that’s awesome, I wish it would catch on more here in the uk!

13

u/notrapunzel Feb 19 '25

They're a work of art honestly, amazing!!

7

u/ASuspicousLookingEgg Feb 19 '25

You're too kind!

12

u/elveejay198 Feb 19 '25

Wow these are incredible. There’s so much hand work done here that I think they could be certified couture by this point (joking, but seriously they’re amazing. They look they come from a crazy high-design label that would sell for four figures)

10

u/Medium-Walrus3693 Feb 19 '25

These are incredible. Is all the stitching done by hand?

7

u/evilhasheroes Feb 19 '25

Hi, I absolutely ✨love✨this

7

u/mommywrenmolko Feb 19 '25

This is really really cool! I have some super ripped up jeans I love and want to save and I'm trying to figure out what to do with them.

6

u/ASuspicousLookingEgg Feb 19 '25

Stitch stitch stitch!

6

u/warriormei Feb 19 '25

Wow! This is fascinating. Great update and wonderful mending!

6

u/TheOcultist93 Feb 19 '25

The alchemical symbols on the waistline must be the spell binding the jeans together.

4

u/percy-of-the-sea Feb 19 '25

I love the earth, fire, water, and air symbols on these! So cool!

4

u/wh4t_1s_a_s0u1 Feb 19 '25

I love how the blue tones you've used would make these mends seem nearly invisible from a distance, and then the closer someone gets, it'd be like turning up the magnification on a microscope to discover more and more structures and detail. You've really given these jorts life :)

3

u/ladybug7895 Feb 19 '25

This is the expert elite level of visible mending

2

u/Scrap-Patch Feb 19 '25

You make me wanna use yarn in my mends SO bad!

I don't have anything quite this well loved, but I have two pairs that are well on their way!

2

u/YunJingyi Feb 19 '25

Amazing. That's a lot of work. How did you do it?!