Patch, Thread + Stitch Choices

(the fun part)

Every repair begins with function: stabilize the damage, reinforce the garment and make it wearable again.  Leave that to us.

Then comes the fun part:  picking the colors, stitches and patching materials.  That's all you.  Check out our gallery for a bit of inspiration.

Quick Ways to Choose:

Keep the garment in charge: Tonal Under-Mend, tonal thread and a simple perimeter stitch.

Let the patch lead: Pop color for the patch, neutral thread and Dashes or Plusses stitch design.

Let the thread lead: Tonal patch, simple stitching and contrasting thread to pop.

Let the stitch lead: Tonal patch and neutral thread with Starburst or Lotus stitch designs.

Create one focal repair: Premium stitch or Embroidered Leaf, with contrasting thread.

Buttonhole is for Under-Mend only. Running Stitch is an included Over-Patch perimeter stitch.

Premium stitch adds $35 per repair area. Metallic thread adds $15 per eligible repair area.

Connect scattered damage: Embroidered Stars, Rain Drops or Roses with complementary thread colors to give a finished one-of-one look.

Available customizations depend on the material and repair type. Your repair intake will show the choices that work with your garment and selected repair.

A Deep Dive: Customization 101

Ok.  Grab a cuppa and get to know your repair options.

Patch material, thread color and stitch design work together to determine how your repair feels.  Start with one question:

Tonal or Pop?

Tonal stays within the garment’s color family. It is quieter, more cohesive and sometimes almost matching until you look closely.

Pop uses contrast to draw the eye and make the mend part of the design.

One whispers. The other speaks up. Neither is more correct. Choose the one that feels most like the garment—or most like what you want it to become.

⁠Patch Material 

Your patch creates the foundation of the repair.

A tonal patch preserves more of the garment’s original character. A pop patch introduces color or pattern and makes the repair the feature.

For denim and workwear, choose:

• Tonal: A denim patch within the garment’s color family
• Pop: A contrasting denim or woven cotton
• Mix: A combination of tonal and contrasting materials

For woven garments:

• Cotton: Choose a woven cotton patch
• Linen: We match with linen or cotton weave and confirm with you
• Silk: We match the repair material and confirm with you

Scroll to the bottom of the page to see suggested color palettes.

Denim

When the patch is denim, navy, white, light blue or a tonal match keeps the repair neat and a little traditional. Color brings a bit of play and casualness.

That said, choose the color that brings you joy.

If you want more color, consider a Mend with woven cotton showing through from inside the garment. The thread can coordinate with the patch, the denim or both.

Stitch Design

A stitch can support the repair quietly or become the design.

If your patch or thread already has plenty of energy, choose a simple stitch. If the patch and thread are tonal, a more decorative stitch can add pattern and movement.

The shape of the damage matters, too. Linear stitches follow clean tears. Repeating patterns work well across patches. Embroidered designs can connect small or scattered holes. 

Patch to Thread Color Guide

Thread Color

Thread can connect the garment and patch—or add another layer of contrast.

Tonal

Choose thread within the garment’s color family.

Best for: Quiet repairs, classic garments and pieces that need a little discretion.

Tip: Tonal allows the stitch pattern to lead instead of the color.

Pop

Choose a contrasting color. Opposites on the color wheel are a good place to begin: blue with orange, red with green or yellow with purple.

Best for: Workwear, streetwear and repairs designed to stand out.

Tip: Pop works especially well with simple stitches. The color becomes the design.

       

Thread Color Suggestions

Blue Patches

Tonal: Sky blue, cobalt or navy

Pop: Orange, rust, coral or yellow

Red and Pink Patches

Pop: Teal, emerald or lime

Green Patches

Tonal: Olive, forest or moss

Pop: Hot pink, bright red or violet

Black or White Patches 

Tonal: Charcoal, ash grey, black or white

Pop: Apple green, yellow or magenta

Yellows

Tonal: Mustard, goldenrod or cream

Pop: Purple, navy or deep green

Browns and Tans

Tonal: Camel, beige, rust or chocolate

Pop: Turquoise, teal or orange