To start your own mending kit, check out Visible Mending 101: Mending Kit Essentials. I like to “shop” my house to find supplies and objects that will work as darning tools. If you need some specialized supplies, here are some good sources. (Note: Art on the Mend receives no commission for these products. We have just found that they are affordable and have tested these products.)
Ayers Variety & Hardware in Westover in Arlington, VA has kindly started to stocking sashiko needles and thread for us as well as their usual sewing supplies such as embroidery floss, hoops, and marking tools.
TINT Makerspace in Falls Church, Virginia has lots of color choices in sashiko thread and perle cotton thread.
Artistic Artifacts in Alexandria has needle felting starter kits.
Wawak (online) has sashiko needles that long and lots of colors choices in thick sashiko thread at the same price as Amazon.
Amazon (online) has lots of supplies – including supplies in bulk for starting a circle.
Thread
One of our Mend-tors George Ziobro kindly made the following sampler to show what various types of thread look like.
3D printed supplies
Art on the Mend has a “Stitching” collection on Thingiverse with lots of stencils and helpful tools for visible mending. You can print them using the 3D Print Request Form for Arlington Central Library. Use 30% infill. The line stencil 8mm is helpful for creating a sashiko grid.
Art on the Mend 