Darning is a European style of me ding than can be dated back to Medieval times. It includes both visible and invisible techniques and can be both practical and decorative. There are four general types of darning:
Sashiko (little stabs) is a traditional Japanese stitching technique, primarily used to mend, reinforcie and embellish garments. In the past, women in rural farming communities would use a simple running stitch in white over indigo-dyed fabrics. Over time, intricate and beautiful patterns evolved, usually geometric.
Boro is a traditional Japanese mending technique in which layered patches were applied with great care; such items were often passed down through generations, mended and re-mended in layers. Sashisko stitching was often used in this mending.
Kantha is a traditional Indian technique which involves sewing layers of old fabrics together to create a new textiles, such as a quilts and blankets or blanket. Such items may be highly personalized and treasured items.
Rafoogari is a mending technique employed by highly skilled artisans (rafoogars) to repair fine textiles, such as pashmina shawls and silk saris. It has traditionally been practiced in South Asia; with eight different techniques of connecting threads, rafoogars are experts at invisible mending. Rafoogars can still be found in parts of Kashmir, Bhagalpur, and Najibabad in South Asia.