Plastic sewing box from Joann Fabric and Craft Store
In “Fundamentals: Tend to Your Mending,” Threads #161 (June/July 2012), author Fionn Zarubica explains how to analyze a damaged garment and determine if and how it can be repaired.
5 mending fixes
She also teaches five fixes for common problems: how to fix a small hole in wool with felting; repair holes from pulled-through buttons; close split seams; fix drooping sleeve hems on bag-lined jackets; and how to restitch worn buttonholes.
To get you started, Fionn put together this list of everything you need to tackle all of your garment repairs.
The ultimate mending kit
1. Scissors
2. Small scissors or snippers
3. Seam ripper
4. Measuring tape
5. Package of assorted hand sewing needles
6. Package of assorted craft needles
7. Felting needle
8. Darning needle set
9. Wood darning egg
10. Straight pins
11. Safety pins
12. Thimble
13. 6-inch ruler or sewing gauge
14. Bodkin
15. Crochet hook with interchangeable head set
16. Buttons
17. Pin cushion or magnetic pin holder
18. Thread in basic wardrobe colors such as: black, white, beige, brown, red, green, gray and navy
19. Buttonhole twist in black, white and beige
20. Assorted snaps
21. Assorted hooks and eyes
22. Assorted clear plastic buttons
23. Sewing box or plastic storage container
24. Iron
25. Ironing board
Wht bout one of those fine hooks for drwing loops nd stry threds, espeilly on knitted fbris, through to the wrong side?
lso some wool/nylon drning yrn; hrde to find these dys but it is out there still; my set of 12 shdes kme from mill in YYorkshire, Englnd, nd the krds of vrious shdes dte bk to my grndmothers sewinf bskets. Lizzzzzzz
Wht bout one of those fine hooks for drwing loops nd stry threds, espeilly on knitted fbris, through to the wrong side?
lso some wool/nylon drning yrn; hrde to find these dys but it is out there still; my set of 12 shdes kme from mill in YYorkshire, Englnd, nd the krds of vrious shdes dte bk to my grndmothers sewinf bskets. Lizzzzzzz
id add fusible interfacing in a light weight so handy for holding together awkward tears, even leather .
i also make my own patches in denim or plaid from worn out shirts. i cut a good square of fabric 5 inches square and turn under a hem , press it and tack it round the edges ready to patch yet another rip in my husbands shirts .
oh and another fav in the mending box is shirring elastic . so useful for tightening up baggy cuffs on sweatshirts or necklines on t 's
This is a great list of items, especially when trying to get organized for sewing projects. Also I found a plastic tackle box is good for storage too!
I am an alterations specialist and I am really looking forward to this article since I do a lot of repairs. Great looking kit! I found a great product at the Sewing Expo in Atlanta that is called Bo-Nash. This product is a bonding agent that does not cause the fabric to dry stiff. My clients love the result!
Thanks for the article.
My purple stitch finger.
I include a few small swatches of varied colored interfacing and fabrics, usually the same as the thread colors. If I am traveling and have something rip that needs a repair with backing, I'm all set.
I include a few small swatches of varied colored interfacing and fabrics, usually the same as the thread colors. If I am traveling and have something rip that needs a repair with backing, I'm all set.
I include a few small swatches of varied colored interfacing and fabrics, usually the same as the thread colors. If I am traveling and have something rip that needs a repair with backing, I'm all set.
DARNING YARN. I have probably 100 shades; because I had a Great Aunt, Two Gransmothers, and a Mother who all darned socks, sweaters, hose and more. Some is in my one gran's Tin Box, along with her Mushroom, and my Great-Great-Aunt's Glove Finger Darning Mushroom; sort of like two sizes of Acorns set on a small dowel; has to be old Margaret Georgina died before I was born and I'm, well, OLD! I also keep needles in there and a pair of scissors. But I also have an extra box containing all the rest of my stash of yarns; cos they no longer all fit in the tin.