Basic Clothing Repair Techniques

Basic Clothing Repair Techniques

Articles of clothing are just like houses, or anything that is constantly used and exposed to the elements for that matter. If you see any small damage and hold off mending it, the small damage will turn into a big irreparable ruinous before you know it. That is why, seamstress or not, we all should at least have some knowledge of basic clothing repair techniques to save ourselves a trip to a tailor especially if it isn’t really necessary.

Before the actual lesson, you must also remember that you should always keep a sufficient supply of mending materials. For starters, an all-purpose thread in white, black, and gray will do, and a selection of hand-sewing needles. This simple list of sewing repair materials covers the basics to get you started.

  1. Needles (Assorted sizes and types, such as hand sewing needles, embroidery needles, and tapestry needles)
  2. Thread (Assorted colors, including basic colors like black, white, and gray, as well as common colors like blue, red, and green)
  3. Scissors (A pair of sharp fabric scissors for cutting fabric, and smaller scissors for trimming threads)
  4. Seam ripper (Used for removing stitches and opening seams)
  5. Pins (Straight pins or sewing pins for holding fabric together)
  6. Thimble (Protects your finger while hand sewing and pushing needles through tough fabric)
  7. Measuring tape (For taking accurate measurements and marking fabric)
  8. Tailor's chalk or fabric marker (For marking fabric before cutting or sewing)
  9. Iron and ironing board (To press fabric and seams for a professional finish)
  10. Sewing machine (If you have one, for faster and more precise stitching)
  11. Bobbins (If you're using a sewing machine, make sure you have extra bobbins)
  12. Seam sealant (Used to prevent fraying edges)
  13. Elastic (Assorted widths for waistbands, cuffs, and other stretchy areas)
  14. Buttons (Assorted sizes and styles)
  15. Zippers (Assorted lengths and colors)
  16. Snaps, hooks, and eyes (For closures)
  17. Fusible web or fabric glue (For quick fabric repairs or hemming without sewing)

How To Replace A Button

basic clothing repair techniques

The most basic clothing repair techniques that you should learn is replacing a button since a missing button happens every so often. Hold the button in place and send the needle from the back up through one of the holes. Place a matchstick over the button; press the needle to the next hole stitching over the matchstick. Continue stitching over the matchstick until each pair of holes has been stitched several times. What’s important to keep in mind is that the button shouldn’t be too snug that it will be hard to put it into the buttonhole. Also, if you attach it too tightly, the threads will constantly be strained and will be prone to another breakage.

Here is a simple procedure in an easy-to-follow list format:

Materials Needed To Fix A Button

  • Replacement button (that matches other buttons on the shirt)
  • Needle
  • Thread (that matches the color of the existing thread)
  • Scissors

Procedure To Fix A Button

  1. Remove the Broken Button: Carefully cut the threads holding the broken button with scissors. Be cautious not to cut or damage the fabric.
  2. Prepare the Needle and Thread: Take about 18-24 inches of thread and thread it through the needle. Then, tie the ends of the thread together to form a loop. This will double your thread and make your sewing stronger.
  3. Position the New Button: Place the new button in the spot where the old one was. If there are any loose threads from the old button, make sure the new button is placed directly on top of them to hide the threads and maintain the original button placement.
  4. Sewing the Button: Push the threaded needle from the back side of the fabric to the front, through one hole in the button. Then push the needle back through the next hole to the backside of the fabric. If your button has four holes, you can repeat this step for the other two holes.
  5. Reinforcing the Button: Repeat the process above for at least six times to make sure your button is secure.
  6. Creating the Shank (optional): If the button you're attaching is on a coat or a piece of clothing that uses thicker fabric, you might want to create a “shank”. This gives the button extra space to fit over the fabric when it's buttoned. To make a shank, after sewing, bring the needle up through the fabric but not through the button. Then, wrap the thread around your stitches under the button several times. Lastly, push the needle back down through the fabric.
  7. Finishing Off: On the back side of the fabric, make a small knot to secure your thread. You can do this by sliding the needle under your stitches, then pulling it through the loop of thread that forms. Pull tight to create the knot, then cut off the excess thread.
  8. Checking the Button: Ensure that the button is secure and sits correctly in line with the corresponding buttonhole. Your button replacement is complete!

How To Mend A Split Seam

basic clothing repair techniques

When mending a split seam, you just have to turn the piece of clothing you are mending inside out. This way, the edges of the seam that need to be sewn back together are more accessible and the stitches will not be visible when the clothing is worn. Press both edges of each side together and stitch. If you are using a sewing machine then a straight stitch will do. Or, if you are hand-stitching, do a backstitch instead.

Here is another simple procedure in an easy-to-follow list format:

Materials Needed To Fix A Split Seam

  • Needle
  • Thread (matching the color of the garment)
  • Scissors
  • Pins (optional)

Procedure For How To Fix A Split Seam

  1. Thread the Needle: Cut a length of thread about 18-24 inches long. Thread this through your needle and knot the end.
  2. Prepare the Seam: Flatten out the fabric along the split seam and line up the edges so they meet. If it helps, use pins to hold the fabric in place.
  3. Begin the Stitch: Starting from the inside of the garment so the knot is hidden, push your needle through the fabric at one end of the split seam, coming up through one side of the seam edge.
  4. Stitch the Seam: Make a stitch across to the other piece of fabric, pushing the needle through to the other side. Bring the needle back across to the other side, creating a stitch that holds the two pieces of fabric together. This is called a whip stitch.Continue this pattern, moving along the seam. Make sure your stitches are even and tight enough to hold the seam closed, but not so tight that they gather the fabric.
  5. Secure the End: Once you've stitched past the end of the split, make a small knot in the thread on the inside of the garment. To do this, you can make a small stitch, but before pulling it tight, pass your needle through the loop of thread that forms. Pull this tight to create your knot.
  6. Finishing Off: After knotting, take one more small stitch on the spot, and pull the needle through to the inside of the garment. Trim off the excess thread.
  7. Checking the Seam: Inspect your work and make sure the seam is secure and blends with the rest of the seam.

A Quick Guide To Mending A Lining

basic clothing repair techniques

The good thing about cloth linings is they are made to be invisible when worn so you don’t have to worry too much if your stitches are not as neat as those of an expert seamstress. However, sewing a lining can also be a bit challenging because of the texture of the material. It is very thin and smooth that it tends to always go out of place.

Just like mending a split seam, the cloth should be turned inside out to expose the inner side where the lining is. Since a lining’s material also has the tendency to fray, you can press the torn edges together and make a thin fold before sewing. Pin the folded edges to keep them in place. Start sewing not less than a quarter of an inch from the torn end. It is recommended to do a “blanket stitch” when hand sewing or an overlock/ overedge stitch if you’re using a machine, to further avoid the fabric from frays.

To finish off here is the last easy-to-follow list:

Materials Needed For Mending Lining

  • Needle
  • Thread (that matches the color of the lining)
  • Scissors
  • Pins (optional)

Procedure For How To Fix A Split Seam

  1. Thread the Needle: Cut a length of thread about 18-24 inches long. Thread this through your needle, and knot the end.
  2. Prepare the Lining: Lay the item flat and smooth out the lining. Align the edges of the torn lining so they meet each other. If it helps, use pins to hold the fabric in place.
  3. Begin the Stitch: Start from the inside so the knot is hidden, pushing your needle through one side of the torn lining.
  4. Sew the Lining: Use a ladder or slip stitch to mend the lining. To do this, your needle and thread should go in one side and out on the same side, then across the gap to the other side.The thread goes in the other side and comes out on the same side, then crosses over the gap again. The stitch makes a pattern that looks like a ladder across the gap. Make sure the stitches are small and as invisible as possible on the right side of the lining.
  5. Securing the Stitch: Once you have finished sewing, make a small knot by making a small stitch but before pulling it tight, pass your needle through the loop of thread. Pull tight to secure the stitch.
  6. Finishing Off: After knotting, take one more small stitch in place, and pull the needle through to the inside of the lining. Trim off the excess thread.
  7. Checking the Lining: Check your work to make sure the lining is secure and that the stitching blends in with the rest of the lining.


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Rebecca
Rebecca

I have some really nice suits from the eighties. The main thing I would like to change are the padded shoulders. Can you give us tips for removing the pads and re-sizing the suit jacket. Thank you, Rebecca Duncan

Christie

Good job we all need encouragement for the repair challenges of our cloths.

Billye Watson
Billye Watson

Sewing on a button: Where the button is to be applied, take a small stitch on the top of the fabric. This will hide the knot and make the inside of the garment more appealing.

Patricia M Burckhardt
Patricia M Burckhardt

Very thoughtful, helpful, and nice post. All things needed.