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Simple Fixes and Mending Techniques

Photo: Sloan Howard

2. Repair holes from pulled-through buttons

Make a fabric patch slightly smaller than the button. Use a similar fabric, equal to or lighter in weight than the garment. Baste the patch to the garment's wrong side or between a facing and the outer fabric. Work machine darning or hand running stitches across and slightly beyond the patch, stitching through the patch and the garment. Reattach the button with a reinforcing button underneath that is slightly larger than the patch.

Fix tears and tiny holes from pulled-through buttons with a small patch.

A contrasting color patch was used for visibility.

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ThreadsMagazine Threads Magazine, editor
Posted on Apr 27th, 2012 in online extras, tips & tricks, fundamentals, threads magazine, mending, threads issue 161

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Comments (9)

restlesslegs restlesslegs writes: Mending and repairing is so important, especially if you have an article you really like. Using small stitches with matching thread is what I do. I need new ideas an techniques of repairing an article that has lots of wear left in it.
Posted: 6:11 pm on July 18th

user-875846 user-875846 writes: I liked the techniques. I would like to see repairs that used the correct thread colors alongside the demonstration repairs.
Posted: 1:53 pm on May 18th

CFields CFields writes: Good reminder of mending techniques. My grandmother taught me how to darn socks and linens when I was a kid. I've used all of these techniques except the felting. It's a better solution that the one my sister used back in the 1970's to "repair" a badly moth-eaten sweater - she embroidered a flower around each hole. It was cute but no longer warm!

An article showing how to mend and alter knitwear would be useful, too.
Posted: 8:23 am on May 3rd

LucyJane LucyJane writes: I am probably the only person in the world who likes to mend or make something new again....... I consider it a challenge to fix something or present it in a new way or fool the eye.
Posted: 10:44 pm on May 2nd

HighToss HighToss writes: Thanks, I love the tip on how to mend holes in wool. Great article!
Posted: 7:24 pm on May 2nd

Mamato8 Mamato8 writes: I have done mending on garment leather. It is so important to match exactly the stitch size to get the needle to land in the original holes!

Thank you for sharing this article! I am not one to throw things away if it can still be used. Someday, I will work my way through my mending pile... It's a dream...
Posted: 12:37 am on May 2nd

Tosca2 Tosca2 writes:
Posted: 9:06 pm on May 1st

Tosca2 Tosca2 writes: I am so glad you are introducing this topic again in our very disposable age. I would suggest that your last question under 'Is it worth it?, should be your last question;
Is the garment a collectible or an heirloom that should be retired and carefully stored away?
Conservation techniques and approaches deviate to another path after the question of the collectible or heirloom value is determined.
The rest of the questions and the techniques you have introduced are terrific for a garment that's destiny is to be worn to death. So many lovely possibilities there, repair, recycle, reimagine.
Posted: 9:04 pm on May 1st

PaulasPalace PaulasPalace writes: Your pictures are so much more clear online than they are in the magazine.

Posted: 7:19 pm on May 1st

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