How to Do Belgian Darning

Belgian darning is just another term for darning to a very polished finish. Fine darning offers the chance for the home sewer to show off their skills. Here are a few ideas on how to turn essential sewing and repairs into fine Belgian darning.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Use a darning egg or gourd to hold the fabric perfectly still while mending or making repairs. This allows you additional focus and improves the overlook of the repair.

2. Sew very small stitches in Belgian darning whether by hand or on the machine. A smaller stitch takes a larger degree of skill and is the trademark of fine darning.

3. Make it your preference to use double strands of darning cotton when you sew. This creates not only a tighter bond, but also the opportunity to pull a little tighter, making your stitches even smaller.

4. Choose decorative colors for your thread and experiment with multicolored weaving in your darning patterns.

5. Consider applying embroidery techniques to patches. Finishing off a patch with an embroidered flower or small insect adds that extra touch to a finished repair.

6. Take the time to research the varied darning techniques that are out there, using both books and the Internet to improve your knowledge. Practice the various stitches and consider making a sampler to help you remember what you've learned.

7. Attend an embroidery or fine sewing class to improve your overall tailoring and sewing repair skills. Fine darning is a matter of knowledge, practice and precision.