Say hello to the erasable yellow fabric pen, visible on pale and medium-blue denim – hooray!
This pen was invented in Japan from my dreams. Sort of. On page 148 of Modern Mending I talk about my inability to find a fabric-marking tool that shows up and stays put on denim. To quote Past Erin:
“A yellow disappearing paint pen would have been ideal if such a thing existed but it didn’t.”
But now it does!
Blue is the standard colour for water-erasable fabric markers (my favourite) but is useless on denim – in particular, for sashiko-inspired mending when stitch lines are essential. Chalk is a better option environmentally speaking, but it can easily rub off with sweat from your hands when you’re stitching for a long time.
The pen nib is comparable in size to the thick Clover water-erasable fabric-marking pen. Unlike the paint pen I invented in my dreams, the effect of this pen is more subtle. Photographs shown here were taken in daytime window light, but you might struggle to see yellow pen lines on denim at night under dim lighting conditions.
This pen is technically not water-erasable but it shares a key benefit: you decide when to remove the marks. It comes with its own eraser, so it’s handy for travel or when you’re on a mender bender and can’t be bothered to walk to the sink to get water.
If you bought this pen from a different shop, it would come with additional cardboard-and-plastic packaging that says:
"Note: Only use the eraser to remove; using water will cause the ink to spread.”
But I’ve purchased these pens from my supplier without additional packaging, at my request, so consider this your note!
NOTE: For best results test marking pens on an inconspicuous part of your garment first (e.g. an inside seam), as they can be difficult to remove from certain fabrics. Remove any marks before you iron, as heat could set them permanently.
Made in Japan (from my dreams) and supplied to me (and you) without packaging at my request.
Check out the full range of fabric-marking tools here.
🔴 2024/2025 holiday deadlines 🔴
17 December 2024:
Last orders for Christmas delivery in Australia
HOLIDAY BREAK: 18 December 2024 to 12 January 2025
Postal orders placed during this time will ship the week of 13 January, when I'm back at work. Gift vouchers will be available for purchase 24/7 and delivered automagically by email.
🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴
Weekly dispatch
This shop dispatches orders once a week so I can do alllll the things – including running this shop and running after two tiny tots – and enjoy my life. Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated.
I have a new work and childcare schedule for 2024 and am still working out the best schedule for postal dispatches; please allow approximately one week from time of purchase while I figure it all out.
Shipping carrier
I ship via Australia Post. If you select Express Post at checkout, it will speed up Australia Post's delivery timeframe but won't speed up my process.
After your order has been packed, you will receive an email notification with your Australia Post tracking number, which you can use to check on the delivery status of your order.
International customers: click here for current Australia Post international delivery timeframes.
Shipping fees
Shipping is currently a flat rate of $12 within Australia ($17 Express Post); international shipping is calculated at checkout. Gift vouchers are delivered electronically and do not require shipping.
NEW: Modern Mending has partnered with Mateship to offer free shipping and cash back when you combine orders with your mates and have them sent to one location. Save money, carbon emissions and packaging waste!
Modern Mending customers have been combining orders informally for ages; Mateship makes it official and easier for me to coordinate, and rewards you for your efforts. Win win.
How it works:
- Check out as usual.
- A pop-up will appear to sign up to Mateship.
- Invite mates to your order. They have 8 hours to join your order.
Note: Mateship only works with standard shipping, not Express Post, and only in Australia at the moment.
International shipping
I ship worldwide with the exception of the UK, due to VAT regulations that came into effect on 1 January 2021. If you are in the UK you can order the UK edition of my book from your local bookshop.
Local delivery
Customers in Northcote, Thornbury and nearby suburbs (subject to capacity) can select local delivery at checkout. Local delivery is extra-slow and coincides with my pram-walking / kid-wrangling schedule, up to one week after purchase.
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I choose to reuse
When shipping orders my first priority is to reuse packaging materials whenever possible – boxes, padded mailers, cardboard, paper, tissue paper, bubble wrap and egg cartons from neighbours, second-hand shops and recycling centres. I cannot guarantee the materials used to ship your order will be plastic-free for this reason.
I buy recycled packaging
If I don’t have suitable second-hand packaging to use for your order, my next priority is packaging made from recycled materials. It's important to me to support Australian companies making good products from our recyclables, and to make sure that material gets a second life.
Tape
I use compostable, gummed kraft-paper tape to seal my parcels whenever possible. I have a second-hand tape wetter that I love, purchased from my local op shop. Gummed paper tape is available at most art-supply shops if you want to make the switch yourself!
Express Post orders will have official plastic "Express Post" tape added.
International orders with many items will have a plastic pocket taped to them, to accommodate additional paperwork required by customs.
Individual product packaging
Every item for sale on this website has its packaging components listed and in most cases photographed, so you can make an informed decision.
Upstream packaging
When I speak to my suppliers I specifically ask that my orders be supplied to me without plastic packaging, whenever possible, to avoid waste and single-use plastic. This isn’t always possible, but I’ll keep asking, forever.
Here's how one of my suppliers has my name recorded in its database:
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