r/Visiblemending • u/SpookyVoidCat • 2d ago

Sashiko on T-shirt fabric?

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I’ve got all these holes in my work T-shirts, but I’ve never done mending on stretchy fabric before, only denim or cotton - is there something important I need to do for mending this type of material? Should I use a similar stretchy fabric for the patch or do I use a stable layer like cotton? All advice gratefully appreciated!

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u/precioustessious 2d ago edited 2d ago

This is what I did for a tank top that had similar holes. I used a cotton sheet as my back fabric. I definitely would have done things differently to avoid bunching but it can be done. Mine i don't think is technically sashiko since I used a backstitch but it can be done and it can look decent. The pic above was after a wash

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u/SpookyVoidCat 2d ago

Oooh that’s beautiful!

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u/precioustessious 2d ago

Thank you! I was actually a little disappointed with it. I think it looks good but I would have done it differently if I could go back. But it was one of my bfs favorite tank tops and he is very happy with the results.

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u/kray02 1d ago

well don’t hold out—what would you have done differently to prevent bunching? (looks great as is, tho!)

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u/precioustessious 1d ago

I would have used some type of stabilizer. Not sure if I would have picked iron on or the sticky kind that washes off. I have never used the iron on kind and I'm not sure it washes out and can leave the fabric a little stiff. My only evidence for it staying stiff (even though I've never used it) is that I have seen it used to make tshirt quilts, and the ones I've seen have a stiffer feel to them. The sticky kind is nice but gunks up the needle and makes it hard to do more than one stitch at a time.

Had I used the sticky I likely would have done a running stitch instead of backstitch. And a part of me wishes I had just done a running stitch even without a stabilizer. But I'm not super confident on maintaining a consistent stitch size for a running stitch and I don't have a ton of practice with it. I'm more confident with a backstitch and have tons of practice from other projects.

I think I am more disappointed that I didn't push myself to do a running stitch for it. I let my anxiety about not doing it perfectly win.