Small repairs can make a big difference. A loose button, an open seam that has lost its thread, or a small hole doesn’t mean the end for your favorite clothing—quite the opposite. With simple techniques and a little time, you can extend the life of your pieces and preserve their beauty. Let yourself be inspired to take needle and thread into your own hands—and give your clothes the care they deserve.
Sew on a button
Thread the needle. Pull the thread through the fabric where you want the button to be placed. Secure the thread by making a small loop and pulling the thread through it. Sew on the button without pulling too tightly. Secure the button by wrapping the needle and thread a few times around the threads at the base of the button. Lock and fasten the thread on the back of the garment by making a loop and pulling the thread through. Repeat a couple of times.
See the video below.
Repair a seam
Remove any old thread from the broken seam. Thread the needle and sew along the same line as the original stitching. Start slightly before and finish slightly after the old seam. Finish the work by making a loop and pulling the thread through it to lock the seam. Repeat a couple of times.
See the video below.
Patch a hole
First, draw the desired design on the garment so that it covers the hole. Make sure to use a marking tool that disappears in the wash. Thread the needle. Insert the needle from the back of the garment and bring it up at the desired stitch length. Sew “backwards” and repeat until the entire design is filled in. Finish by passing the needle and thread through a few of the small loops on the back. Repeat a couple of times to secure the thread.
See the video below.