Sewing has turned into a rare skill in the modern age of mass-produced clothing. Although you may always go to tailor to fix your cloth, they tend to be expensive.

There’s nothing worse than having a tear in your trousers and not understanding how to repair it. Or, believing you know how to repair it but really making things a lot worse. Whether you are female, male, old or young, there are a couple of easy sewing methods which everyone should understand how to do. They could come in very handy in certain circumstances, and it never hurts to have some basic sewing knowledge. Do not worry; it is so simple that you’ll regret paying a tailor for it. Sewing custom embroidery patches is easy and can be washed if permanently sewn into a garment.

In addition to having a grasp of the sewing methods and owning the basic sewing tools, having the right sewing machine and embroidery machines also comes in handy. The modern technology has helped avail some small, powerful yet inexpensive sewing machines which you can use for commercial or home purposes.

You’ll find that most of these do not require much space. The best janome sewing machine for quilting, for example, could prove to be a real blessing in any home as some of the sewing needs you may have occasionally may be too small and not worth hiring a tailor for. 

Unfortunately, if left unattended, these small patches could render your clothes useless or be a cause of embarrassment. As a matter of fact, the sewing industry has completely been transformed and you can get a sewing machine for absolutely any style and work thus saving you time and energy.

Consider learning the following fundamental techniques to save a few bucks: Basic tools you need include pins, a needle, thread, a seam ripper, a bodkin, a measuring tape, along with a good pair of scissors. You can buy little sewing kits at most supermarkets.

Sew a Button:

At one point or another, you’ve likely lost a button in a top, jacket, or other pieces of clothing. If you needed to have someone else sew it back on for you, it’s time to learn how to:

  1. Locate some thread that matches the button and then thread your hands sewing needle.
  2. Tie a knot at the end and start the thread on the underside of the material (so that the knot is hidden).
  3. Make a few stitches to anchor the thread and place the button where you need it.
  4. As you pull the thread, pass the needle through the first button hole and down through the opposite hole (considering a traditional four-hole button).
  5. Bring the needle up from one of the unused buttonholes and then back down through the opposite one. (At this stage, all the four holes should have thread passing through them.)
  6. Bring the needle through the first hole again and then back down through the opposite hole repeatedly until all four holes are marked “X” as you sew.
  7. Make enough stitches so that the button holds firmly and end your stitching on the underside of the cloth. Pass the needle through the bottom stitches a couple of time to anchor the finish, then tie a knot and cut the thread.

Fix a Ripped Shirt Sleeve:

Ever had a shirt that was your favorite or had too much memory attached until it got a big hole in it? Simply create your own clothes patches, and it’ll be as good as new!

  1. First, find whether your shirt is ripped on one side or both sides of the seam.
  2. Cut all the torn fabric or thread away from that area. Make a zigzag stitch all the way around the hole so that the shirt does not fray anymore.
  3. For a zigzag stitch, thread your needle (utilizing the exact same color thread as the shirt) and make a knot at the end. Then, starting from the bottom, bring the needle within the shirt a quarter inch from the cut.
  4. Bring the needle down in an angle in the edge of the cloth to make a half”V.”
  5. Now bring the needle up through shirt at the peak of the “V” and back down on an angle to complete the “V.”
  6. Repeat this steps until you have a zig-zag shaped stitch all the way around the hole.
  7. Find a fabric of the same color of your shirt and make a piece that’s at least 5/8″ bigger than your hole.
  8. Put the fabric over the hole after turning your shirt inside-out.
  9. Stitch around the perimeter of the fabric by leaving about 1/2″ of fabric around the edges to secure it well. Use a Pin in case of support.
  10. Turn your shirt inside-out again side-out, and magic happens! It’s as good as a new shirt.

Hem a Pair of Pants:

If you’ve got a pair of trousers that are long for you then don’t spend the money to have them professionally altered instead grab a seam ripper, an iron, straight pins, a needle, and thread to do it by yourself:

  1. Using the seam ripper remove the stitching at the bottom of your pants. Unfold them once all stitches are removed.
  2. Put the pants on and fold the bottoms up to the length you would like. After that place a few straight pins near the fold to indicate the length.
  3. Using a measuring tape determine how much length you have eliminated with the help of pins. Use that measurement to accurately pin both pant legs up.
  4. Iron the pants near the fold until crease appears as it makes them easier to sew.
  5. Grab a thread matching your trousers, thread your needle and then tie a knot at the end.
  6. Now bring the needle upto base of the pant leg and also make a little stitch (roughly 1/4″) across the bottom of the cloth.
  7. Repeat the stitches across the whole underside of the pant legs and finish your stitching onto the bottom of the cloth.
  8. If you have removed a good amount of pant length, then cut the excess of fabric to keep it from bunching.

If you have eliminated a fantastic number of pant length, you might choose to lower the extra material to keep it from bunching.

The techniques listed above are simple to learn, easily completed while binge-watching your favorite series, and will also save you a little extra at the end of the month. And who knows, perhaps you discover a new passion!

SHARE THIS POST