Visible Mending FAQ
What is Visible Mending?
Repairs that stand out and celebrate the fix.
Clothes are meant to be worn, enjoyed and lived in. Snags are just part of the process. Visible mending restores function and turns these fixes into a feature to admire —reinforcing weak or stained areas with thoughtful stitching & patches that complement the original garment.
Why it matters:
- Extends the life of well-made pieces;
- Reduces waste and replacement costs;
- Adds character you can’t buy new.
And, we don't care if you tell people you fixed it yourself. As long as you tell them there's a place online that can do something similar.
Materials & Methods
We use long-staple cotton, linen, or silk threads and an array of patch fabrics you choose. We add interfacing only when structure is needed.
Every mend is reinforced for function first & then aesthetics, first. Yes. Like that.
Patch or Mend?
Both are durable and the terms are commonly interchangeable. For our purposes, patches sit on top of the garment, while mends - the patch is under the garment to keep the original face visible. Both serve the same function: Allowing the thread to weave two pieces of fabric together, making the garment stronger than before.
What We Repair
Denim:
bums, knees, thigh blowouts, cuffs (no crotch)
(NOTE: Mending tight stretchy skinny jeans does not work - thread does not stretch and it will pucker and drape differently then the rest of the pant)
Sweaters:
sweaters and rib knits, moth damage, trim & collars, some hand knit sweaters
Wovens:
linen, cotton, flannels, work shirts, chinos, seams, pocket spots & tears (no T-shirts).
Outerwear:
light canvas, twill, light utility jackets (non-technical or stretch)
Silk & Delicates:
stabilized tears, hand finishing, gold-leaf detailing
Some Textile Home Goods:
seam reinforcement, patching, strap fixes of natural fibers.
(The jist: no synthetics, super stretchy fabrics, T shirts, leather, crotch no - bum, yes)
Guarantee
If a mend fails under normal wear within a year, we’ll reinforce it once at no cost. Natural fabric fatigue elsewhere is not a failure of the mend. Email us at hello@surplusatx.com
Terms of Service
Give them a read. No fine print. The jist is that once we start, there's no going back.
FAQs
How visible is “visible”?
You choose: POP or Tonal, but the goal is to get noticed. It may look like part of the original garment or a terrific new addition, but we shoot for a bit of notice.
Will the mend change how my garment fits?
Reinforcement adds minimal thickness. We intentionally use as little material as possible to prevent any changes in fit. This is why we do not repair tight, stretchy denim. It puckers and does change the fit.
NOTE: Mending and patching large holes on very tight stretchy skinny jeans does not work. Thread does not stretch.
Can you color-match exactly?
We match closely, but aging and wash history affect tone of any garment, so even the original thread wouldn't match 100%. Slight variation is part of the charm.
Do you clean items?
For a $25 cleaning fee. Please send clean garments.
What if my fabric is too fragile?
We’ll recommend stabilization, lining, or other alternatives. We’ll decline with respect if longevity can’t be ensured.
How exact do my measurements need to be?
Close is fine as long as you order up and allow for at at least 1.5 inches of buffer/seam allowance. This is explained here. We verify sizing when your garment arrives and confirm any changes before sewing.