Denim Repair & Hemming Service

URAHARA specialises in denim repair and denim hemming using rare, period-correct vintage machines. Our services are available in-store in Melbourne and via mail for customers interstate across Australia and internationally.

Denim Repairs:
We repair selvedge, vintage and heavyweight denim using our Singer 47w70 Darning Machine. We perform our darning by stitching thread back and forth across holes and tears to closely mimic the original weave of denim. This method is ideal for areas like crotch blowouts, knees and frayed denim. For larger or heavily worn areas, we also use traditional patching to reinforce and extend the life of the jeans.

Chainstitch Hemming:
Our vintage Union Special 43200G delivers the iconic chainstitch hem and roping effect found on vintage denim and Japanese selvedge jeans.

Darning & Chainstitch Hemming

Step-by-Step Instructions for Denim Repair & Chainstitch Hemming at URAHARA

Our services are available in-store and by mail from anywhere in the world.

Follow the below to get your jeans hemmed or repaired:


Option 1: In-Store Drop-Off (Melbourne)

1. Prepare your jeans

Please ensure your jeans are clean before bringing them in. We work up close on every garment, so for hygiene reasons we only accept freshly washed jeans.


2. Visit URAHARA

3 Johnston Street, Collingwood, Victoria 3066

3. Choose your service

For Hemming:
• Let us know your preferred inseam length.
• We use a vintage Union Special 43200G for an authentic chainstitch hem.

For Repairs:
• Show us the areas needing darning or patching.
• We use a vintage Singer 47w70 darning machine for repairs. This allows us to restore ripped jeans, crotch blowouts, pocket tears, frayed edges and more
• Our team will assess the work and confirm the cost before proceeding.


4. Payment

• Hemming is priced at $40 for jeans not purchased from our store.
• Heavyweight denim will incur an additional charge due to increased wear on the machine.
• Repair prices depend on the areas that need mending.
• All prices are confirmed, and payment is processed before work begins.

5. Turnaround and Pickup

• Standard turnaround is 7 days.
• We’ll notify you by text or email when your jeans are ready.
• Jeans will be held until collected by you or an authorised person.

Option 2: Mail-In Service (Australia and International)

1. Prepare Your Jeans for Shipping

• Please ensure your jeans are clean before sending. We work up close on every garment, so for hygiene reasons we only accept freshly washed jeans.

For Hemming:
• Include a note with your desired inseam length, or mark the finished length with chalk or a safety pin.

For Repairs:
• Include a note describing the issue.
• If unsure, feel free to send us photos in advance to store@urahara-store.com and we’ll guide you.

2. Choose a Payment Option

• Pre-Purchase Online: Purchase your selected hemming or repair service through our online store

• Pay After Assessment: Post your jeans to us. We will assess the work and send you a quote and invoice before starting.


3. Ship Your Jeans.
Address:
URAHARA - 3 Johnston Street, Collingwood, Victoria 3066

• We recommend including a return satchel to speed up the return process.


4. We Complete the Work

• Once received, we typically complete repairs or hemming within 7 days.
• We’ll contact you if anything needs to be clarified before we begin.


5. Payment & Return Shipping

• If you have not prepaid, we will invoice you via our online store
• If you provided a return satchel, we’ll use it. Otherwise, return postage will be added to your invoice.

What We Work On:
• Selvedge denim
• Vintage denim
• Heavyweight denim 17oz and above (additional charges apply)
• Premium Japanese denim brands
• Note: We do not accept fast fashion denim or jeans with high elastane or stretch content.
• If jeans are not collected within 3 months of notification, we reserve the right to donate or resell them. We will make multiple attempts to contact you beforehand.
• If we receive dirty or soiled jeans, we reserve the right to charge a $50 cleaning fee or return the jeans to you before starting work.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.