Tools for small textile repairs

Short answer: You need five things: needles, thread in black and white, a small pair of scissors, safety pins and a fabric shaver. It takes up less space than a book and covers most small repairs in an ordinary wardrobe.

Five things cover most of it

With needle, thread, scissors, safety pin and fabric shaver you can deal with holes, open seams, loose elastic and pilling. That is all it takes to keep an ordinary wardrobe in good shape. The kit covers everything in a bamboo jogging suit and the rest of the wardrobe. You do not need a large sewing kit full of things you never use.

Thread in two colours goes a long way

Black and white suit most garments, and for the rest you pick whichever is closer. On dark clothes black thread disappears, and on light clothes white does. If you own many grey or blue pieces, a third reel may make sense later. The same applies to the most popular pieces from Copenhagen Bamboo, which come in calm colours.

A fixed place makes the difference

If the kit sits in a box you can find in ten seconds, the repairs actually get done. If you have to search several drawers, you put it off and the hole grows. Pick a small box or pouch and put everything back in the same place each time. Keep it next to the wardrobe with your bamboo hoodie for men.

Needles in two sizes

A medium needle with a large eye is easy to thread and suits most jobs. A fine needle is good for thin knits and for stitches that should not show. With those two you have nearly every task covered. Keep them in a small pincushion or a scrap of fabric, so they do not vanish in the box or prick you.

Scissors should be sharp and small

A small, sharp pair of scissors cuts thread cleanly, so it passes easily through the eye of the needle. Large kitchen scissors fray the thread and are hard to control close to the fabric. Use the scissors only for thread and fabric, and they stay sharp longer. Small embroidery scissors or a thread snip are enough.

Safety pins for elastic and cords

Safety pins are essential when a cord or elastic needs to go through a waistband. Fix the pin to the end and push it through the channel a little at a time. They can also hold two pieces of fabric together while you sew. Keep a few in different sizes, so the right one is at hand when a drawstring disappears.

The fabric shaver removes pilling

Pilling forms where fabric rubs, such as under the arms and on the inner thighs. A fabric shaver removes it quickly and gently, so the garment looks tidier again. Move the shaver lightly over the fabric without pressing. Do not go over the same spot too many times, or the fabric can wear thin.

Check the box once a year

Go through the box when you tidy the wardrobe anyway. If a reel of thread is almost empty or a needle has gone blunt, replace it. Check that the batteries in the fabric shaver still work too. It takes five minutes and means you can get started when a seam opens on a Tuesday evening, without a trip to the shop first.

Frequently asked questions

What does the basic kit cost

The basic kit costs a modest sum at an ordinary supermarket or fabric shop. You do not need an expensive sewing kit to handle most small repairs at home.

Do you need a sewing machine

No, hand stitches are enough for everything that happens in an ordinary wardrobe. A machine is nice for long seams, but small holes and open seams are easily done by hand.

Which needle should you choose

Choose a medium needle with a large eye, so the thread goes in easily. It suits most jobs, and a fine needle can come later if you repair thin knits.