What you can repair yourself

Short answer: Three repairs solve most problems with clothes: a seam that has come apart, a hole in a sock and a drawstring that has disappeared. All three take less than ten minutes, and you do not need to know how to sew.

Three repairs cover most things

Most damage to everyday clothes is small. A seam comes loose, a sock gets a hole at the toe, or a drawstring slips into the channel and vanishes. It can look as if the garment is finished, but that is rarely the case. With a needle, thread and a safety pin you can fix all three at home.

A seam that has come apart

A loose seam is the easiest repair. Use a needle and thread in the same colour as the fabric, turn the garment inside out and sew small stitches along the old seam. Start a few stitches before the gap and finish a few after it, so the new seam holds in the part that is still intact, see bamboo underwear for men.

Small stitches hold best

Large stitches are quick, but they pull on the fabric and come undone easily. Small, close stitches spread the strain and lie flat against the skin. Pull the thread gently, but not so tight that the fabric puckers. With soft, stretchy fabric it is a good idea to let the seam give a little, so it moves with the garment.

A hole in a sock

A hole at the toe or heel can be sewn together from the inside. Gather the edges carefully with small stitches so no thick ridge forms. The seam should lie flat so it does not press against your toes when you walk. Try the sock on afterwards and feel whether the seam bothers you, see bamboo socks.

Catch the hole while it is small

A hole the size of a pinhead is easier to close than one that has been allowed to grow. Check your socks when you fold them after washing and set aside any with small holes. Then you can mend them all at once when you have the needle and thread out anyway. It only takes a few minutes per pair.

A drawstring that has disappeared

If the drawstring in a hoodie or trousers has slipped into the channel, you need a safety pin. Fasten the pin to the end of the string, feed it into the opening and push it through the channel a little at a time. When it comes out the other side, tie a small knot so it stays put, see bamboo hoodie for men.

What you cannot repair yourself

Some damage needs more than a needle and thread. A worn out elastic in underwear is hard to replace without a sewing machine and experience, because it is often sewn into the whole waistband. The same goes for zips with broken teeth. A tailor can handle both, and otherwise it is time to replace the item.

A small kit for the drawer

You do not need a full sewing kit. A needle, thread in black and white, small scissors and a safety pin cover all three repairs. Keep them in a small box in a drawer so you know where they are. When everything is ready, it is easier to do the repair straight away instead of putting the garment aside.

Frequently asked questions

What can you repair yourself

Seams that have come apart, small holes and drawstrings that have slipped into the channel. All three can be done at home in under ten minutes.

What can you not repair yourself

Worn out elastic in underwear and zips with broken teeth. Both need a tailor or a replacement, because they are hard to do neatly by hand.

What should you keep at home

A needle, thread in black and white, small scissors and a safety pin. That covers all three repairs and takes up almost no space in a drawer.