Lesson 5 - Repairing Clothes

Buttons lock the edges of the clothes together. They make the clothes complete and fit. They also make cloths attractive. Missing buttons should be replaced immediately to avoid embarrassment.

• Attaching Snaps and Hooks and Eyes

• Attaching Buttons

• Patching

• Sewing Unstitched Hems

• Darning Tears

This is covering a hole on a dress, blouse, skirt, or pants with a piece of cloth similar to the garment. If the same fabric is not available, a piece of cloth which is similar in color and design can be used.

• Darning Tears

• Attaching Snaps and Hooks and Eyes

• Attaching Buttons

• Patching

• Sewing Unstitched Hems

This process is sewing finely across or along the grain of the cloth and is repeated several times. The darn looks like a stitch done by a sewing machine.

• Sewing Unstitched Hems

• Darning Tears

• Attaching Snaps and Hooks and Eyes

• Attaching Buttons

• Patching

The stitch of the hem of a dress, skirt or blouse becomes undone. This should always be checked. A hemming stitch is used to hold in position the hems of a dress, skirt or pants. Before sewing with hemming stitches, fold the edges of the fabric once.

• Patching

• Sewing Unstitched Hems

• Darning Tears

• Attaching Snaps and Hooks and Eyes

• Attaching Buttons

Clothes with missing snaps should not be worn. Missing hooks and eyes must be replaced immediately. In attaching these, follow the illustration on the right. Mark the place where the snap fastener or hook and eye will be sewn.

• Attaching Buttons

• Patching

• Sewing Unstitched Hems

• Darning Tears

• Attaching Snaps and Hooks and Eyes

This is mended in the same way as the straight tear. The only difference is the way the stitches are done. The running stitches are done following the direction of the tear.

• Straight Tear

• Diagonal Tear

• Three-cornered Tear

• Small Holes

Darning can also mend small holes. Iron first the hole before removing the raveled thread. Cut the raveled thread to keep the edges smooth. Follow the same procedure in mending a straight, diagonal, and three- cornered tear. Since this is a hole, the stitches should be done in circular form.

• Small Holes

• Straight Tear

• Diagonal Tear

• Three-cornered Tear

This is easy to mend. Bring together the loose edges of the tear by basting stitches. Make a cm row of small stitches back and forth. Continue darning until the tear is mended. Fasten the thread on the wrong side of the cloth.

• Three-cornered Tear

• Small Holes

• Straight Tear

• Diagonal Tear

This tear consists of two straight tears that form an L. In mending this kind of tear, follow the procedure in mending a straight tear. Darn first one side then the other side. Make sure the stitches are fine and even and not too tight nor too loose. This will make the mend durable. Fasten the thread on the wrong side of the fabric.

• Diagonal Tear

• Three-cornered Tear

• Small Holes

• Straight Tear