Now keep in mind that I am not an accomplished seamstress. I was forced to learn how to sew a mumu in Girl Scouts many years ago; it was such a traumatic experience that I shied away from sewing machines for years. Mending was accomplished with simple tools: needle, thread, scissors, seam ripper, and sometimes the double-sided fusion material available where sewing supplies are sold.
Here's a quick look at how to fix some common clothing problems:
Patch a hole: I cut the butterfly off a worn t-shirt. It was thick from the paint used to print the shirt and gave me a good firm edge to stitch it onto the jacket with tiny stitches all the way around the edge.Sew on a button: pay attention to how the other buttons on the shirt are stitched on and copy the pattern. If they are X's and you make a box, the difference will be noticeable.
Darn a sock: I like to use contrasting colors.Repair a seam: my sweat must be caustic because I often have to repair seams in the pits of my t-shirts.
Cover a stain: you may be able to cover small stains with a chunky pin.Replace a zipper (for the ambitious)
Hem pants
Repairing your clothes will save money and also save resources. Don't throw it away; fix it.
15 comments:
You can also hide stains on the front of tops with scarves tied in different ways sometimes pinned to the shirt or sweater. I've also used necklaces of various length to hide small stains and spots.
I did this when I was working fulltime.
shamba/sheri in Phoenix
One more note, it is often well worth having someone repair anything that you don't want to or can't fix yourself.
I don't know what the going rate for hems and zipper replacement are these days but they can be worth your time and effort (especially replacing zippers!) to h ave someone else repair them for you. It's still cheaper than getting a new garmet in most cases.
If you have a favorite pair of pants or skirt and it just needs a new zipper, just pay for the repair.
the last one I had done was about 15-20 dollars but it was worth it. I know this since I used to sew a lot and repaired my own zippers! Somehow I got out of sewing so much so maybe I should go back to it. I do still do my own repairs.
cheers,
shamba/sheri in Phoenix
I'm a button, fix small tears, put on patches- kinda girl myself. Haven't gotten into the whole sewing thing since Jr. High when girls had to take Home-Ec.
I'm pretty good with a patch though. My jeans always tear around the pocket so I'm forever patching. I get those iron on ones and put them on from the inside, then I sew around the outer edge of the patch so that you can only tell that it's there if you get really close to my butt. And I'm sorry, but no one need be that close, thank you! :)
I have sewn for years, making my daughters clothes, prom dress (which was actually a wedding dress) tailored suits and coats, but I hate repairing. I do it but I would almost rather make something new, go figure.
Went to the Goodwill for a table for my sewing machine the other day and found a sewing table with an old singer in it that still works. And oh joy it even works without electricity (just in case things get really desperate).
Fabric paint is also good to hide stains, just add your own design.
I love the hide stains with a patch or pin! Works good for my jackets! (Not that I wear many pins)
My favorite is to just cutoff the pants were I would like them to be- very cool and very mode chic!
I must agree with Shamba that it is often well worth having someone repair anything your don't or cant fix your self. I have a seamster (male seamstress) on call. You usually can find a seamstress or seamster who does alterations (hems) at most any Dry cleaner
And someday I will master that *&^$%$# sewing machine. You just wait!
I'm with Rob! My favorite jeans ripped a hole in the knee around Christmas time. I'm just waiting for it to be warm enough to cut them off! Until then, I can be spotted around town with one knee hanging out.
My husband and I have "sewing" parties every winter, where we take the year's ripped/buttonless clothing and spend an evening sewing it back together. :)
Great post! One fun repair (or decorative) technique is reverse applique. You simply cut/shape the hole and stitch fabric into the underside of the garment. Plus, you can do it all by hand if you want to avoid sewing machine trauma. :)
Great post.
I am terrible about such things, and as soon as a button pops off or I split a seam I put it in a pile to take to a friends house for her to fix while I work on projects at her house. Perhaps it is time I learned to do some of this myself. I like the bulky pin idea, a lot.
Shamba - I tried to learn the art of scarves but I am rather inept with anything even remotely requiring fashion sense.
I totally agree with calling in the professionals for work outfits. Those clothing items tend to be more expensive and may not show up in thrift stores - in good condition - as often. So, the investment to keep them in good shape is well worth while. For jeans and tees, however, I probably wouldn't pay someone for a repair because thrift store prices are so low. Jeans can be repurposed into bags and purses, and t-shirts make the best rags.
Bartering, on the other hand, could tip the scales!
Heather - you mean you don't want to show off the patches on your rear? ;-)
Deb - good point on the fabric paint. And lucky you, finding a working old Singer! How much was it? We searched for months for a working treadle machine and ended up paying $100 (or 125?) for another brand.
Rob - you're right; most dry cleaners have tailoring services available. Thanks for the reminder! And, remember to save the denim when you cut off your jeans. Make it into a shopping bag, use it for patches, or heavy shop rags when you change the oil.
Abbie - that sounds like one cold knee in the winter!
Jennifer - how sweet. We try to keep up with the mending before it gets out of hand. Which reminds me, I need to darn the sock I was wearing yesterday...after it's washed.
Michele - I've never tried that but it sounds like it could be fun, especially with a contrasting thread color.
artbystrongheart - bartering is good, too, although I think it's useful to have the basic skills down. The bulky pin thing saved my favorite sweatshirt years ago. It was dark purple with a rectangular nature scene printed on the front. Just above the design, slightly off to one side, it got a single bleach drop on it. Highly visible! I had a green beetle pin the worked perfectly to hide the spot and looked as if it had just crawled out of the nature scene.
Chile - Let's just say I don't want to attract any attention to that area of the old bod :)
Great advice. Another tip I would add is to fix things as soon as you notice a rip. A small rip can be easily mended but letting it go too long can often turn it into something unfixable.
This year i finally discovered the art of layering to prolong the life of some of my stained shirts.
Figures I'd forget the most important advice, huh? "A stitch in time saves nine."
I hate to tell you it was on half price and the sewing table and machine was only $5.00 Canadian, so that is about $4.25 US! My best deal ever! It isn't a treadle but in a pinch I can at least turn the handle with out power, not like my Bernina. I am going to look for a treadle conversion I have heard about them but haven't investigated about them yet.
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