Buttons
Before you ever wash a garment or hang it in the closet, check for loose buttons and repair any that need. Doing this regularly helps prevent having to replace an entire set when loose ones go astray. When you make a garment, take a clue from ready-to-wear and sew an extra matching button inside the side seam so you’ll have it when needed.
Split seams
If you have split seams, simply stitch them up before the openings become larger after being subjected to more stress from wearing. If the fabric is actually damaged, back it with lightweight fusible interfacing as an added reinforcement before stitching the seam.
Tear
For tears that aren’t within a seam but where fabric is actually torn, use the mending stitch on your sewing machine to repair. Follow these simple steps:
Before you ever wash a garment or hang it in the closet, check for loose buttons and repair any that need. Doing this regularly helps prevent having to replace an entire set when loose ones go astray. When you make a garment, take a clue from ready-to-wear and sew an extra matching button inside the side seam so you’ll have it when needed.
Split seams
If you have split seams, simply stitch them up before the openings become larger after being subjected to more stress from wearing. If the fabric is actually damaged, back it with lightweight fusible interfacing as an added reinforcement before stitching the seam.
Tear
For tears that aren’t within a seam but where fabric is actually torn, use the mending stitch on your sewing machine to repair. Follow these simple steps:
- Trim any frayed edges and back the damaged fabric with fusible tricot interfacing, pulling together the torn edges. A narrow strip will hold the torn edges together for stitching.
- Set the machine for a mending stitch or triple zigzag – one that goes 3 or 4 stitches in each direction forming a multiple zigzag. Adjust the length so it’s fairly close together and the width so it is wide enough to span the torn edges.
- Stitch over the torn edges catching each edge with bite of the zigzag stitch; turn each corner if needed. Depending on the fabric and the tear, a second pass of stitches may be needed to secure catch the edges
Patch
Tears can also be camouflages with patches placed over them. Commercial patches are available in standard colors, or you can create your own patch using matching fabric. Some patches are fusible, others require sewing around the edges.
To apply a sturdy patch, fuse the tear layers together to prevent further damage, then fuse the patch over the tear. If the patch isn’t fusible, make it so by using paper-backed fusible web under a fabric shape. Then zigzag or multi-step zigzag around the patch edges to hold in place.
A host of decorative patches are also available that can be used in appropriate places – like torn knees on childrenwear, or a jacket sleeve with a small tear. The construction ranges from machine embroidered to glittery sequined versions.
Suede elbow patches are available specifically to cover worn out elbow areas on much loved jackets.
You can also patch clothes with appliqués made from contrasting fabrics and cut into any shape – for children’s clothing, let the wearer create the shape.
Hems
It’s easy to catch a hem in a heel of a shoe and soon the pant leg is dragging on the ground and wearing out the fabric.
For an immediate fix, tape the hem up in its original position with transparent tape until you can get home to fix it.
For a quick fix, use fusible web to hold up the loose hem allowance. For a more professional finish, restitch it in place using the same type of stitch it was originally sewn with. Anchor the threads well into any sections that are still intact, overlapping the new stitching with the old.
Tears can also be camouflages with patches placed over them. Commercial patches are available in standard colors, or you can create your own patch using matching fabric. Some patches are fusible, others require sewing around the edges.
To apply a sturdy patch, fuse the tear layers together to prevent further damage, then fuse the patch over the tear. If the patch isn’t fusible, make it so by using paper-backed fusible web under a fabric shape. Then zigzag or multi-step zigzag around the patch edges to hold in place.
A host of decorative patches are also available that can be used in appropriate places – like torn knees on childrenwear, or a jacket sleeve with a small tear. The construction ranges from machine embroidered to glittery sequined versions.
Suede elbow patches are available specifically to cover worn out elbow areas on much loved jackets.
You can also patch clothes with appliqués made from contrasting fabrics and cut into any shape – for children’s clothing, let the wearer create the shape.
Hems
It’s easy to catch a hem in a heel of a shoe and soon the pant leg is dragging on the ground and wearing out the fabric.
For an immediate fix, tape the hem up in its original position with transparent tape until you can get home to fix it.
For a quick fix, use fusible web to hold up the loose hem allowance. For a more professional finish, restitch it in place using the same type of stitch it was originally sewn with. Anchor the threads well into any sections that are still intact, overlapping the new stitching with the old.
No comments:
Post a Comment