Denim Repair & Hemming Service

At URAHARA our denim repair and chainstitch hemming service is something that keeps us extremely busy with customers Australia wide sending in their beloved jeans to be expertly repair or hemmed using our vintage Singer 47w70 repair and Union Special 43200g chainstitch hemming sewing machines.

We offer Australia's fastest denim repair / hemming service in our Melbourne based studio (URAHARA basement) with a typical 3-5 day turnaround.

Denim Repair & Service - URAHARA

Denim Repair & Service

Darning is a unique type of mending that recreates the look and feel of denim fabric by weaving cotton thread back and forth across the tear or hole.
This is only possible using a special industrial darning machine such as the Singer 47w70.
Instead of placing a patch behind the hole and stitching over or around the patch we are trying to mimic the original woven fabric as close as possible, essentially creating a 'weft' and a 'warp' thread typical of denim fabric.
The unique shape of the Singer 47w70's cylindrical arm means we are able to manouveur garments in a way that gives us the ability to repair areas of that are typically unable to be repaired by a regular flat bed sewing machines.

Chainstitch Hemming is done on our vintage Union Special 43200g with the period correct 3/8" folding attachment found on these coveted machines since as early as 1939. The machine is responsible for the desirable 'roping effect' found on vintage and premium jeans and we are proud to offer this hemming service in Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 'darning' or denim repair?

Darning is a unique type of mending that recreates the look and feel of denim fabric by weaving cotton thread back and forth across the tear or hole.

Instead of placing a patch behind the hole and stitching over or around the patch we are trying to mimic the original woven fabric as close as possible, essentially creating a 'weft' and a 'warp' thread typical of denim fabric.

Are special denim sewing machines used?

With regards to 'darning' or repairing denim, this is only possible using a special industrial darning machine such as the Singer 47w70.

The unique shape of the Singer 47w70's cylindrical arm means we are able to manouveur garments in a way that gives us the ability to repair areas of that are typically unable to be repaired by a regular flat bed sewing machines.

With chainstitch hemming, one of the most coveted sewing machines in the world is used... The Union Special 43200g which dates back to the 1930's and was the original sewing machine used by Levi's. This machine creates a unique chainstitch and 'roping' effect that vintage denim collectors and Japanese denim fans alike can appreciate.

What is a chainstitch / chainstitch hemming?

Chainstitch refers to a stitch type where the thread is looped and stitched in a style that looks like a chain such as a necklace chain.

Chainstitch Hemming refers to a chainstitch that is done to the hem (bottom folded part) of a pair of jeans to adjust the length so that it is suitable for the wearer. Similar to having a pair of suit pants adjusted in the length however the hem on a pair of jeans has a specific look and style, especially those that are chainstitched.