Discreet repair using woven darning on red wool jumper: Bold red ribbed knit jumper, woven darns just visible on the sleeve.
Discreet sashiko patch repair on night shirt. Light blue patterned pyjamas torn near the button placket, patched with cream fabric on the inside and stitched on top horizontally with cream thread.
Invisible repair, sashiko style on linen shirt: Yellow linen shirt with the faintest small stitches in various areas alongside the fabric around the buttons.
Invisible repair on night dress: Navy fabric with white print of small daisy like shapes, repaired with navy patch on inside and stitched in place with matching navy thread and white thread added to mimic pattern across new patched area.
Discreet darn on knitted cardigan: Small hole on sleeve of cinnamon coloured knitted cardigan, repaired using woven darning in close matching wool.

Discreet Mending

A discreet repair is the perfect choice if you don’t want to alter the appearance or feel of the item too much, or if it’s in an area you don't want to draw attention to (crotches and armpits anyone?).

I use the term discreet rather than invisible as completely invisible is very hard to achieve. Finding a good match in colour and material can be tricky, so the best way to be as close to invisible as possible is to source the yarn or fabric for the repair from somewhere hidden on the item e.g. seams, pockets, or hems. This method does add two more steps to the repair job (cutting fabric or unravelling seams and then patching or sewing that back up) so is often the pricier option to go with. 

That said, finding materials to match can work out sometimes, I may have something in my stash or I can source and buy something new. I’m always happy to do this but for you this can mean a longer turnaround time for your repair to be completed.

If I can’t find an exact match in material and colour, something close enough will still help the repair not look obvious. To better understand what that actually looks like, I’ve included examples on this page that range from almost completely invisible to just subtle enough to not be a statement.

Discreet repair, Swiss darning on elbow hole in almost matching yarn as cardigan
Discreet repair on blue micro check blouse, sashiko style stitched patch (patch on inside - not visible) - stitches in matching blue thread.
Discreet repair on pink and purple triangle print shirt dress, patch on reverse, sashiko stitching on top
Invisible repair, two holes on cream knit with matching coloured woven darns
Discreet repair on knitted jumper, Swiss darn in almost matching colours

Before & After examples

Damaged vintage children's cardigan with multiple holes and discolouration
Almost invisible repair of vintage children's cardigan, using Swiss darning in almost colour matched yarn

Vintage children’s cotton cardigan with multiple holes.

Repaired with cotton yarn in a mix of Swiss and woven darns.

Large tear at seat of linen trousers
Discreet repair on seat of linen trousers, close colour match fabric on reverse and sashiko style stitching in matching thread
Tear at seat pocket of navy cotton trousers
Discreet repair on navy trouser seat pocket, patched on reverse and stitch in place with sewing machine in almost matching thread and fabric

Repaired using linen patch on inside and running stitch to secure it and reinforce the area.

Linen trousers torn across back pocket/seat.

Close up detail of discreet patch repairs and sashiko in matching fabric and thread
Burn damage on white cotton blouse

Patched on front and reverse with some reinforcement stitching in white thread.

Burn damage on fine white cotton shirt.

Invisible patch repairs and sashiko in matching fabric and thread

Although there’s a lot of detail in the repair up close, here you can see it’s barely visible at a distance.

Elbow hole in knitted jumper
Discreet mend, woven darn on knitted jumper elbow in almost colour matched yarns

Repaired with a woven darn in some very closely matched mending yarn, and some not as close.

Cashmere/wool blend jumper with large hole and wear at elbow.

Repaired with fabric patch on reverse and edges secured by machine stitching.

Cotton trousers with tear at back pocket.