CLOTHING REPAIR For Beginners
CONTENTS Who Are We? Introduction: Essential Tools and Hand Stitches Section 1: Patching Holes Section 2: Fixing Torn Seams Section 3: Fixing Unravelling Hems Section 4: Mending Faulty Zippers Section 5: Fixing Overstretched Elastic Waistbands Caring for Your Clothes: Tips and Guidelines Thank you References 1 1 2-9 2-9 10-15 10-15 16-17 16-17 18-20 18-20 21-23 21-23 24-26 24-26 27 27 28 28 29 29
We are a group of passionate volunteers campaigning for a clean, safe and fair fashion industry. Together with Fashion Revolution Singapore and Secondsguru, we would like to help individuals embrace sustainability in their fashion choices by equipping them with the relevant skills to mend and repair their clothings which could otherwise end up in the trash. In doing so, we reduce textile pollution, water use and carbon emissions. Do your part with us today!
Credits to
partners: 1
W H O A R E W E ?
Needle Thread Scissors Seam ripper Elastic waistband (to fix overstretched waistbands) Safety pins (to fix overstretched waistbands) Long-nose pliers (to mend faulty zippers) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. INTRODUCTION: ESSENTIAL TOOLS 2
Pull out about an arm's length of thread.
3b. For double thread stitching , align the two thread ends and knot both ends together.
INTRODUCTION: HOW TO THREAD A NEEDLE
Image credit to: Nina Montenegro
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Cut the thread on an angle so it's easier to thread the needle.
Note:
A double thread is stronger but makes more visible stitches. A single thread is useful when you'd like nearly invisible stitches or when the thread is already bulky and strong enough as a single strand.
3a. For single thread stitching, pull the thread about 1/3 of its length through the needle and knot only the long end of the thread.
Repeat steps 1 3 to make a second knot. Go slow so you can position the second knot on the first knot.
As you are tightening the knot, position it at a desired point on the thread.
Bring the tail end through the loop.
The shape should look like a pretzel!
A knot at the end of your thread keeps the stitches from coming undone.
INTRODUCTION: HOW TO TIE AN OVERHAND KNOT
Image credit to: Nina Montenegro 4
Tug on both ends of the thread to pull the knot small and tight.
Loop the short tail end of the thread over the longer side.
3. Bring your needle back up, the same distance as the first stitch.
1. Bring the needle upwards through the fabric,
RUNNING STITCH
Image credit to: Nina Montenegro and https://hopeandhart com/ forward 5
INTRODUCTION: KNOW YOUR BASIC STITCHES
4. Continue weaving your needle in and out of the fabric to create dashed line of even stitches.
These are the stitches we use for hand mending, and they are the most essential simple stitches you need to know for most hand-sewing projects.
2. Make a stitch forward and downwards by putting the needle through the fabric a short distance away.
Push the needle up through the underside of the fabric.
Stitch forward from below push the needle up through the underside of the fabric about 1/4 inch forward.
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These are the stitches we use for hand mending and they are the most essential simple stitches you need to know for most hand-sewing projects.
BACK STITCH * *
Stitch backwards from top -push the needle down through the fabric to the right (at the *).
Stitch backwards from top push the needle down through the fabric to the right.
Stitch backwards from top -push the needle down through the fabric to the right (at the *).
at step 3-5 until you're happy. h the end stitch (refer to page10).
INTRODUCTION: KNOW YOUR BASIC STITCHES
Stitch forward from below- push the needle up through the underside of the fabric about 1/4 inch forward.
These are the stitches we use for hand mending, and they are the most essential simple stitches you need to know for most hand-sewing projects.
WHIP STITCH
1. Fold the cloth at the edge of the inner end of the hem.
2. Needle through the two folds.
5. Tie a knot at the end of the stitch
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the hem is sewn.
This stitch is commonly used to sew hems of clothing.
3. Needle again beside the first stitch.
6. The right side of the clothing will only show small lines, which will be invisible when the same coloured thread is used.
INTRODUCTION: KNOW YOUR BASIC STITCHES
VIEW VIDEO TUTORIAL HERE 7
This stitch is commonly used to sew hems of clothing.
INTRODUCTION: KNOW YOUR BASIC STITCHES
2. Needle through the main cloth piece, towards the right of the first stitch. Take a little of the main cloth piece from right to left.
3. Needle through a little bit of the folded piece only, without the lower main cloth, towards the right of the previous stitch, from right to left.
VIEWTUTORIALVIDEOHERE 8
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the hem is complete.
These are the stitches we use for hand mending, and they are the most essential simple stitches you need to know for most hand-sewing projects.
6. With the thread the same colour as the cloth, the finished hem will look invisible.
5. Do not pull the thread too tightly as it will cause a crumpled effect.
1. With a single threaded needle, catch a little of the folded piece from the inside to hide the knot.
CATCH STITCH
INTRODUCTION: STITCH TO FINISH SEWING
When you have come to the end of your sewing, you will need to tie off before the thread gets too short (when you have about 5 inches of thread remaining).
2. Sew a second stitch right on top of the first.
1. Sew one stitch in place. (Note that the illustration demonstrates a right to left sewing direction.)
4. Finally, push the needle through to the underside of the project and cute and excess thread.
9Image credit to: Nina Montenegro
1 2 3 4
3. Sew a third stitch right on top of the first two, but before pulling the thread taut, push the needle through the loop in the thread. Pull the thread taut, locking the thread in place.
SECTION 1 Patching Holes Recipe 1: Repair by Ladder Stitch Recipe 2: Patching pinhead holes
The
VIEW VIDEO TUTORIAL HERE
Recipe 1: Repair by Ladder Stitch 10
Starting from one end, insert the needle towards the inside of the clothing near the seam. Pull the needle through.
10 MIN EASY MATERIALS: NEEDLE, THREAD, SCISSORS
Insert
Place the clothing right side up. needle on the other side directly across from where the thread has come out. thread should be perpendicular to the seam.
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Once you have reached the other end, insert the needle through the clothing.
Alternate right and left stitches to form your way up the "ladder", pulling the thread gently as you move up to gradually close the two sides.
Done! 12
Secure the thread by stitching a secure stitch on the fabric in the seam.
VIEW VIDEO TUTORIAL HERE
Thread needle with matching color thread as the clothing.
Insert the needle at the adjacent side of the hole, taking as little thread from the clothing as possible. the needle through.
Recipe 2: Patching pinhead holes
Pull
Place
13 10 MIN MEDIUM MATERIALS: NEEDLE, THREAD, SCISSORS
Insert the needle towards the inside of the clothing on one side of the hole. Pull the needle through. the clothing right side up.
Repeat step 4 until the hole is closed.
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Smoothen out the end of the stitched area by sewing a few more stitches to slowly close the gap and level out the "bump".
Do the same to the other end too. Once completed, insert the needle through the clothing. Secure the thread on the underside with a knot. Done! 15
SECTION 2 Fixing Torn Seams Recipe 1: Repair by Ladder Stitch
10 MIN EASY MATERIALS: NEEDLE, THREAD, SCISSORS
Do the ladder stitch all the way up the tear, till the end.
VIEW VIDEO TUTORIAL HERE
Pull the thread through at the end to close the gap between the two cloths. This will cause the stitch to ‘disappear’ between the seams.
Recipe 1: Repair by Ladder Stitch
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Hold the cloth right side up. Insert the needle on end of the tear, upwards.
Insert the needle at the top of the stitch and twist the thread around it 3 5 times. Then, pull the thread to form a tight knot.
This is how the stitch should look on the underside of the clothing.
Cut the end of the thread.
Done!
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SECTION 3 Fixing Unravelling Hems Recipe 1: Repair by Catch Stitch Recipe 2: Repair by adhesive fusing tape Recipe 3: Repair by fabric glue
Recipe 1: Repair by Catch Stitch
Insert the needle on the underside of the folded hem (inner) and pull thread
Needle through a small bit of cloth on the top folded hem and pull through.
Repeat until all hem is sewn. then, knot twise to secure stitch.
Needle diagonally below to the right of the 1st stitch.
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10 MIN MEDIUM MATERIALS: NEEDLE, THREAD, SCISSORS
5 MIN EASY Your hem needs fixing and you don’t have time to sew it? The following method will fix it in a jiff. Recipe 2: Repair by adhesive fusing tape Uses: No sew pillow cases, double backing ribbons, curtains, cloths, fabric, clothing, etc. Benefits: Fabric fusible tape is lightweight, strong, long lasting and easy to use. Hem holds well even after several washes. Directions: Place a suitable position of the adhesive fusing tape between 2 pieces of fabrics, then iron on the fabrics. Done! MATERIALS: ADHESIVE FUSING TAPE, IRON 19
Recipe 3: Repair by fabric glue 5 MIN EASY Your hem needs fixing and you don’t have time to sew it? The following method will fix it in a jiff. Uses: For any type of fabric including but not limited to cloth, linen, denim, felt, suede, leather, cotton, polyester, flannel, silk, synthetic and nylon Benefits: Fast drying, non toxic. After fully cured, the glue will become clear in color and remain soft and flexible. Waterproof and can withstand high and low temperatures. Directions: Simply apply a thin layer of glue to one side of the fabric and attach to the other piece of fabric. Press for 30 seconds. Done!
FABRIC GLUE 20
MATERIALS:
SECTION 4 Mending Faulty Zippers Recipe 1: Fixing slider that comes off track Recipe 2 : Fixing zipper that doesn't close
Recipe 1: Fixing slider that comes off track 10 MIN EASY TopTapeEnd Slider ZipperChain BottomStop Bottom Tape End Make a snip to the side of the zipper chain that the slider has detached from, at the bottom tape end. Feed the cut end of the zipper chain into the slider, like with a coat. Move the slider up to close the chain. SECTION 4: MENDING FAULTY ZIPPERS MATERIALS: SCISSORS, NEEDLE, THREAD VIEW VIDEO TUTORIAL HERE 21
Stitch the chain together with thread around the snip to prevent the slider from coming off.
SECTION 4: MENDING FAULTY ZIPPERS
Done! 22
Note: Do it gently and slowly to avoid tightening the slider too much.
SECTION 4: MENDING FAULTY ZIPPERS MATERIALS: SMALL LONG-NOSE PLIERS Done! VIEW VIDEO TUTORIAL HERE 23
Using a pair of pliers, gently pinch the left and right plate of the slider together to help restore the slider to its original, tighter shape.
5 MIN EASY
Recipe 2: Fixing zipper that doesn't close
SECTION 5 Fixing Overstretched Elastic Waistbands Recipe 1: Insert new elastic waistband
VIEW VIDEO TUTORIAL HERE
Attach a safety pin on one end of the new elastic band.
Recipe 1: Insert new elastic waistband 15 MIN MEDIUM SECTION S5: ECTION 5: FIXING OVERSTRETCHED FELASTIC IXING OVERSTRETCHED ELASTIC WAISTBANDS WAISTBANDS MATERIALS: NEEDLE, THREAD, SCISSORS, SEAM REAPER, SAFETY PIN, ELASTIC WAISTBAND
Using a seam ripper or scissors, remove the stitches at the front or back seam to open the elastic casing.
Note: The width of the elastic band should be smaller than the elastic casing, while the length of the elastic band will be the waist measurement.
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FIXING OVERSTRETCHED FELASTIC IXING OVERSTRETCHED ELASTIC WAISTBANDS WAISTBANDS
SECTION S5: ECTION 5:
Insert the safety pin with the elastic band attached into the opening.
Use a safety pin to secure the other end of the elastic band to the garment near the opening to ensure it stays outside the garment and not go into the casing.
Begin pushing the safety pin through the casing, making sure it does not twist. Note: There may be stitches at the back and/or side seam as you move along. Remove the stitches to continue.
26 SECTION S5: ECTION 5: FIXING OVERSTRETCHED FELASTIC IXING OVERSTRETCHED ELASTIC WAISTBANDS
When the safety pin and elastic band come out on the other side of the opening, overlap the two ends of the elastic band and stitch them together.
Sew to close the opening(s) of the elastic casing. Done! WAISTBANDS
Garments like denims or jackets should be washed inside out to keep their colour from fading. It is also important to wash them separately as they can cause abrasion inside the machine and can damage other materials.
READ WASH CARE LABELS
Find out more about labels here
CARING FOR YOUR CLOTHES:
Before ironing, check the garment for stains. Ironing on stains can cause it to spread further. It then gets difficult to clean. Thus, always re wash the stained spot before ironing.
Sort between white, dark and colored laundry to protect your clothes from colour transferring, getting pulled due to metal zippers and so on. If you don’t sort your laundry, it could also damage those delicate items you would like to protect.
WASH CLOTHES INSIDE OUT
Credits: The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
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AVOID IRONING ON STAINS
TIPS AND GUIDELINES
ALWAYS SORT LAUNDRY
It is very important to read the fabric care label on all your clothes. If the wash care label suggests a cold water wash or dry clean only, it is essential to follow those instructions. Doing so helps preserve these garments.
Content credits: www getsetclean in
Thank you
'Consider every garment you’ve ever owned; consider where it is now. Consider a garment you loved that you let go of along the way, deeming it irreparable. Now imagine hands open in front of you, offering you that garment, revived and ready to wrap around your body once again, ready to keep you warm, beautiful and alive.'
- Nina Montenegro
Credits to: Mending Life by Nina Montenegro
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1.
Laundry 101- Sorting Clothing Steps 1-6 from The Spruce website by Leticia Almeida https://www.thespruce.com/laundry-101-sortingclothing-1900125
REFERENCES:
Clothing care by www.getsetclean.in
Knowledge shared by Adel Ng from Muta wear 2. 3. 4. 5.
Mending Life, A Handbook for Mending Clothes and Hearts by Nina Montenegro and Sonya Montenegro Beginner's Guide to Sewing Magazine (author not cited from source)
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