As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, I really like to sew. You can read that post here. The creative side of my brain craves a different kind of spark every once in a while, so I sew. To take something, like raw fabric or a used article of clothing and turn it into a new piece gives me such a feeling of accomplishment. So does repairing clothes that have been damaged. Today’s post covers a repair.
in need of a repair
As a teacher I like to dress professional and adult. My company expects it and the students respect it. But I am also going through a period where I’m trying not to spend any more money on clothes. It is the end of the school year, after all. This has led to me searching my closet for garments that I haven’t worn in a while. For whatever reason, these items are no longer being used. Case in point, a pair of basic black slacks.
These pants were in the same row as the rest of my work slacks, but they were missing a button. It was the metal kind that leaves a whole when it comes out. That’s why they have been overlooked since last fall.
Anyhow, I decided to repair them since I had spent the time at the beginning of the school year to hem them to the right length. How did I fix the hole you ask?
Like this…
the patch
I found another pair of pants that were similar in color but had other issues causing me to no longer wear them. (They were too small.) To repair the hole, I cut off a small part of the hem of one of the unwearable pants to use a patch.
the repair
I then used a seam ripper and separated the waist line of the slacks I was repairing, just enough for me to slip the patch in. I sewed the patch into place and stitched the seam back together.
Then I found a button in my button jar (Does anybody still collect these?) that fit the hole of my pants. I sewed on my button and sat back, very pleased with myself.
Not only did salvage a pair of perfectly usable pants, but I saved myself the six dollars it would have cost to get a newer pair at the Thrift Store (where I buy all my clothes now).
My button jar
Many people in today’s disposable society don’t understand or appreciate the value of clothing repair. It not only offers a sense of pride at the accomplishment, but also an extended life for the clothing item.
Later I’ll be posting more of my repair successes and failures. Check back often.