The Ultimate Repair Guide
The Ultimate Repair Guide
Although you can do all you can to take care of your clothes, sometimes a little tear or loose button can dampen the fun on those fashion favourites you can’t live without. Revive your wardrobe with our top repair tips...
Sewing a Button
A loosely hanging - or missing - button can happen after many wears, but there’s no need to worry. Discover how to sew a button and extend the life of your staples - you’ll need scissors, thread, a needle and a button before starting.
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Get your needle and thread it with four strands of cotton thread. This will cut down your sewing time, as it will act like you’re sewing four times at once, while making the stitch stronger.
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Button and clothing lined up? Put your button aside, take your needle and begin to create a secure stitch in your fabric. This should be exactly in line with where the button needs to go.
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Lay your button on, and come through one button hole with your needle - then go in through the other.
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If you’re feeling underneath, feel for the next hole by looking at the front and pushing the needle up from the back. Stitch it on with either a criss-cross effect for a four-holed button, or create a horizontal effect with a two-holed button. Keep going until you feel the button is on securely.
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For an extra secure finish, when you’ve completed your stitches, loop your thread around the button and push your needle through to the back.
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Finish off by tying a loop in the thread and pulling it tight whilst sliding it up against the fabric so that it’s secure, then snip the threads leaving a short tail.
Fixing a Zip
Sticking zip? There’s no need throw out your clothing with our tried-and-tested tricks - ensure your zip runs smoothly by trying the below!
Check for Catches
Look at the surrounding fabric and check for any snags, folds or tangles that may have got caught.
Gently Does It
If you spot that the fabric is caught, reach for your tweezers and gently pull it away from the zip. Remember to be gentle to avoid tearing.
Pick up a Pencil
Take a pencil (graphite) and rub both sides of the zip’s teeth - focus on the middle where the teeth meet. If the zip then glides smoothly, wipe off the remaining pencil.
Silky Smooth
If your zip is still sticking, it might need more lubrication - try soap, window cleaner and even non-tinted lip balm, avoiding the fabric and applying direct to the zip.
Patching Jeans
Spotted a hole or tear in your favourite jeans? There’s no need to ditch your denim - just follow our handy how-to! You’ll need a fabric patch, scissors, pins, a needle and thread, and a measuring tape/fabric marker if you have them.
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Choose the fabric you want to use to patch your denim - this can be decorative, classic or something that matches.
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Cut your piece of fabric to the size and shape you need to cover the existing hole or damage - remember to make sure the patch is bigger than the hole by at least 2.5 - 3cm all the way around (to include extra for hemming the patch before securing).
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Press the four edges of the patch towards the wrong side of the patch, hem allowance should be 1cm.
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If the patch is going to be placed on a tougher, more durable area, e.g. the knee, we suggest using a sturdy stitch like a blanket stitch.
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Start with your blanket stitching, pushing the thread through both fabrics, then back up to the outer side of the patch. As the loop tightens, push the needle through the loop to catch the thread, and then move a little along to the right on the edge of the patch and repeat. Continue this around the whole patch.
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When the patch is stitched and secure on all sides, push the needle through to the inside and add a couple of small straight stitches underneath to finish it off. Snip off any loose threads. Once you’re happy, iron the area for a professional finish.
If your pieces are in need of a more professional finish, there’s no need to worry - visit our expert repairs and alterations page to find out more about Clothes Doctor’s range of services.