A friend of mine asked me if I could fix a couple of her skirts. The first one had a ripped lining. Simple to take in a 1/2 inch and sew it right up. The other? I had my work cut out for me.The gauze-like material had ripped away from the trim, creating holes all over the skirt. Yowza!
I'll admit, it hurt my brain a little, but I discovered a method to fixing holes in lightweight fabric like this woven gauze-type material, that actually seemed to work.
Materials You'll Need: (*product links added for your convenience)
Lightweight Cut-away permanent stabilizer
Lightweight Stitch Witchery hem tape
Scissors
Iron
Damp lint-free cloth
Parchment paper
In case you aren't familiar with stitch witchery, it is a fabric adhesive. The web-like material adheres fabrics together by using the heat of an iron and the steam created from the protective damp cloth. It is also called hem tape because it is a quick way to hem pants. Turn them under and heat seal the seam. Sticky magic.
Permanent Stabilizer is lightweight, textured, non-woven nylon. It provides stability to stitching on lightweight knits and woven fabrics so they won't stretch out or sag. You may have seen stabilizer on the inside of a shirt that has embroidery on it. It's soft and flexible.
Alrighty then...To cover each hole, I cut a piece of stitch witchery to cover the length of the trim, including the ripped section, and a piece of stabilizer bigger than the hem tape.
I put a big piece of parchment paper under the hole so the stitch witchery wouldn't adhere to the ironing board, and re-used it as I fixed each hole.
It was a little tricky, but with my fingers I carefully maneuvered the remaining gauze strands to cover the hole, trying my best to match the existing weave pattern.
Next, I carefully placed the hem tape across the hole and along the trim line, and the piece of stabilizer went on top of that. I used stabilizer in hopes to secure the gauze to something that would help it maintain its place against the trim.
With a damp cloth placed carefully on top of the hem tape and stabilizer, I pressed down the hot iron on the damp cloth for like 11-12 seconds.
It took some time, but the results were surprisingly good. Hem tape is so sheer and stabilizer is so light-weight that you can't even see it through the fabric. With the gauze fabric against the inner cotton lining, the "fixes" seemed to disappear.
Needless to say, my friend was thrilled with the results. I'm hoping her skirt continues to hold up for her and they have many more happy years together! xo
*This post contains links to products through Amazon.com and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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just like magic.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised at how well it worked. I was so glad since I told her I'd fix it and then saw what I was up against!!
DeleteBeautiful repair!! I will know what to do when that comes up - thanks for the tutorial.
ReplyDeleteThanks Vicki! :) Hope it will come in handy. I appreciate you stopping by!
DeleteWow, thanks! Great tutorial...
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Kim! I really appreciate it! :)
Deletegreat job!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I appreciate you stopping by!
DeleteThank the Lord, we are never too old to learn new things! thank you so much for enlightening me!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sande! I couldn't agree with you more because I've got a whole lot more to learn! :)
DeleteNice repair. Thank you for the tutorial. Adding this to my favorites.
ReplyDeleteThank you Maxine! I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know! :)
DeleteThis is just marvelous and how ingenious! Wonderful tutorial and a blessing to keep for later when I need it.
ReplyDeleteThanks a million,
Peg
I have a tiny rip in a sheer shirt and I'm most certain that stitching it up will make it much more visible. I definitely want to try this but are there any specific tips you have for that material?
ReplyDeleteWhat type of sheer fabric is it? If it isn't cotton, you have to be really careful that the hot iron doesn't melt it. I haven't tried this method on anything other than cotton. Let me know if you have any specific questions. I'm happy to try to help!
DeleteI have a small kind of "run" rip in a very expensive cotton dress. It starts at the seam and runs down approx. 1/2 inch.
ReplyDelete1. Is "stitch witchery" another name for hem tape?
2. does stabilizer work on 100% cotton?
Stitch witchery is like a glue for fabrics, so it is not the same as hem tape. Stabilizer should work on 100% cotton. Be sure to read the instructions on the package you buy. Good luck!!
DeleteI'm going to try this on a synthetic (100%) polyester tunic...very sheer (with a pattern), that has a 1 inch x 1 inch tear. I guess I have nothing to lose at this point. Will let you know how it turned out. Finger crossed. It is one of my favorite summer pieces.
ReplyDeleteI hope it worked for you and didn't melt. It's tricky to use an iron on polyester because the stitch witchery needs to be good and hot. Did you have success??
Deletewill this work on a 2 inch tear on a sheer fabric on a gown? It was a gown borrowed from a neighbor, and it'll be embarrassing to give it back all teared up :)
ReplyDeleteHi Aileen,
DeleteI think it could work to a degree, but may still be noticeable. Sheer fabric can be tricky. Let me know if you tried it and how it worked!
This is exactly what I needed! I have a skirt made of similar material that has developed holes at many of its seams after just a couple of wears. It was inexpensive, but it's so pretty that I didn't want to give up on it just yet. Thanks so much for sharing! I'm going to fix the holes and proactively reinforce the seams with some of that stabilizer.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, have you had any updates on how well your friend's skirt has held up?
Hi! Sorry to say my friend moved and I haven't been in touch with her for a while. If I am, I'll try to remember to ask her for an update on her skirt. :) Hope you were able to save your skirt!!
DeleteYou make me have goose bump when see your tutorial. You've just saved 3 expensive pieces that I nearly cried out when they're ripped. Can't say thank you enough, definitely I will try xx
ReplyDeleteI hope so much this procedure helped fix your rips! It's even more awful when it's expensive clothing! Fingers crossed for you!! :)
DeleteThis wonderful post just saved the bottom of my wedding dress! It had a 2 inch vertical tear. Looks perfect now!! Thank you<3
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm so glad this tip worked for you Samantha, and on something as important as a wedding dress! Makes me happy! :)
DeleteThoughts on this working on a colored skirt? I have the same problem with a skirt, but it's a coral color. Do the stabilizer and stitch witchery become clear?
ReplyDeleteHi Karen,
DeleteThe stitch witchery melts into the weave of the fabric and becomes clear, but the stabilizer doesn't. I tried this same process on a sheer aqua linen top and the stabilizer seemed pretty much invisible from the outside of the top. The stabilizer's very sheer and although it doesn't melt away, you may not be able to tell. Best of luck to you!! If you try it, I'd love to hear how it works on your coral skirt!
It must work.
ReplyDeleteI have a big hole in my knit dress made of 100% modal rayon. It is a wine color and I am going to attempt to mend the hole. Do you think your method will possibly work or would you happen to have any other suggestions. Thanks for this video!
ReplyDeleteHi Julie - I'm sorry for the delay in responding to your comment. Did you try mending your skirt? I'm curious as to how it went. The texture of my friend's skirt was such that the holes were kind of concealed as they were fixed. How did it work on the modal rayon? Fingers crossed for you!!
Deletewhat would you have done if the hole you had to repair in your friends skirt was down further, not near a hem line?
ReplyDeleteYes, I would still have used this same method even on spots away from hems. Hoping yours turned out!
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ReplyDeleteDoes it work on 100% polyester?
ReplyDeleteHi Miranda!
DeleteThanks for your question! I haven't tried this method on polyester. Polyester can melt with high heat, but someone indicated they used stitch witchery on polyester very carefully with a damp cloth press, making sure to lift the iron and it was ok. It's hard to know for sure, but if its already ruined, it can't get much worse, right?! :) Best of luck if you try it!! I'd love to hear how it turns out.
Would this work with a water soluble stabilizer or does it have to be the cutaway stabilizer?
ReplyDeleteHello. I am hoping that you might be able to help. I was pet sitting and the dog bit a very tiny hole in my coat. THe coat is made of a very think, light material. I owned the same coat previously when my dog was a puppy and I tried fabric glue but it seeped to the surrounding area and stained/also balled up and the glue took on a brownish color. I wondering if there is any product that you could recommend to repair this tiny hole because I know from my other jacket that it will likely spread to become a bigger hole. I included a link to a photo with the list of materials. Mine is a dark purple whereas maybe on this black the glue wouldn't show as much. But I know from my other coat (Which was a light blue) it did show. Thank you so much for any help.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Womens-Mighty-Hooded-Jacket/dp/B00AG33CTW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444696427&sr=8-1&keywords=cheap+winter+coats+for+women+columbia
Be very careful with that kind of fabric. I have what I call my "puffy coat" which my be a different fabric. I managed to melt a hole in it with a cigarette ash. It was in a fairly inconspicuous place so I just stitched a small piece of fabric I found at joann fabrics around the hole with a thin needle to keep the down inside. Mine melts at pretty low heat, so just be aware yours might too. Id look into a repair kit maybe, if they make one, to make a more invisable repair.
DeleteThanks for sharing this! It worked well for me!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this idea to save my favorite summer dress!
ReplyDeleteYou are a GODDESS. My wife ripped her favorite sheer blouse on a metal barb. She pronounced it unfixable. I just used your technique while she's away on vacation (and I've never sewn anything in my life). She is going to be SO surprised when she sees the blouse she tossed in the garbage sitting in her closet, repaired.
ReplyDeleteHello shanon , I have a 100% sheer polyester shirt ..it got burned a bit during ironing ..I has this hole in the front . I don't know how to fix it .. that shirt is expensive and I've worn it just once ! Please help ! I don't know what to do ! I didn't find anything and then found your blog ! Hope you reply :)
ReplyDeleteShannon, Many thanks for posting these instructions. I ripped a hole in the unlined peplum of a white eyelet blouse when it got caught on a doorframe, and I successfully used your suggested method for fixing the hole. The eyelet fabric of my blouse is a stiff cotton, not a lightweight gauze, but because the fabric is eyelet, the fix requires materials that are relatively transparent. I already had some stitch witchery, but I wouldn't have known about using the permanent stabilizer as a backing without finding your instructions. I ordered the stabilizer online from Sulky. After pressing, I cut away the excess stabilizer so it would cover as few holes in the eyelet as possible. In addition to expressing my appreciation for your useful tips, I am posting this comment in case others have the same problem and want to know whether your method can be used to fix holes in eyelet.
ReplyDeleteJust what I need, since I ripped a brand new lightweight jacket today. I have everything except the permanent stabilizer, which I'll pick up tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI'm certainly glad to see this post. I have some lovely antique pillow cases that need repair. I am assuming that you did this patch on the backside of the fabric. Am I correct?
ReplyDeleteHi, please forgive me if this is a repeated question. I have a multi-colored soft cotton scarf that got a a tear. This scarf is shown on both sides so my repair wouldn't be concealed on the 'inside'. Do you have any advice for a good way to repair it? It's woven. Thank you :)
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ReplyDeleteOMG, thank you for this! It has helped me repair my little girl's special blankie that she can't sleep without! I honestly can't tell you how happy you've made her and how relieved I am! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this tutorial! Unfortunately I have a beloved running skirt that needs help. The skirt has an attached shorts liner. This liner, made of a stretchy, thin, breathable material has developed holes right in the center. This was a definitely an exposure issue if not careful but nothing I couldn't live with. Sadly they have grown to what is now a comfort issue. The rest of the skirt and liner is fine. I'd love to save them. Will the abovementioned trick work? Thanks in advance!
ReplyDeleteHow does this fix hold up to repeated washings?
ReplyDeleteThank you for this. I used your technique today to repair a synthetic blouse that had small holes, and is sheer. It isn't perfect but it made the blouse usable again Anyone would be hard press to see the repair.
ReplyDeleteIt worked on my raspberry-colored gauze and linen blouse!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know what I'm doing wrong--the stitch witchery isn't sticking to fine cotton baptismal gown or to the stabilizer. I put parchment paper down first, then fine cotton gown where there's a tear in fabric, then stitch witchery, then stabilizer. I pressed with a damp cloth on top of it all at wool temperature and counted to 12, and when I took cloth away, nothing was sticking to the fabric, and everything was loose. Any idea what i did wrong?
ReplyDeleteThank you for this! I cut a most favorite linen shirt and fixing with needle and thread definitely wasn't working. This worked great!! and I never knew about stitch witchery. YAY!
ReplyDeleteShannon, I have a very fragile scarf, very fine, old cotton gauze with a lace panel running down the middle. Both entire side panels of cotton gauze are so fragile, I put my finger through it. I think I can repair it as you have done above, but do you know if there is a product that can strengthen all of the cotton gauze, like a soak or spray of something? Please help me save this beautiful piece.
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