I’m delighted to be taking part in the repair blog train organised by the wonderful Agy of greenissuessingapore. The invite happened to coincide with a rather large mending pile!!
I was slightly put off by the volume of said pile, mainly of tots trousers going in holes at the knees. I am fortunate that I am gifted second clothes for him at the school gate by parents of slightly older boys, but that does mean the knee’s have already had the boy treatment!!
It is so easy to be buy affordable trousers in the supermarket, but I was encouraged along when reading the book “Clothing Poverty ” by Andrew Books, it charts the history of clothing, and discusses the impact of the second hand clothing industry in areas such as Africa.
“Cotton growing covers around 2.4 per cent of global agricultural land, yet accounts for 24 per cent insecticides and 11 per cent of pesticides” pg 19
So three pairs of toddler trousers – too tight to go over the arm of my sewing machine. The first two pairs of cords I ironed a patch on the inside, using bondaweb as an adhesive – this is currently holding up. Have you heard of bondaweb? It is an extremely thin layer of glue which comes attached to grease proof paper, as you iron it it dissolves and becomes a glue for two pieces of fabric. Always ensure you have some grease proof paper to protect your iron.
The third pair of trousers I fancied something a little more fun. Surprisingly my son turned down the idea of a monster patch?!!
Image courtesy of livinglocurto
So instead I had a go at Sashiko, a Japanese technique for repairing trousers. I placed a denim patch behind the hole, and then ran a series of stitches in one direction, and then a series of stitches in the opposite direction.
This repair is proving very hard wearing, and am sure will hold up far longer than the bondaweb patches. I love the effect, and think it looks quite stylish – no-one has commented on the jeans. Does that mean they pass as designer effect??
Next up my husband’s trousers – these proved a little trickier, the fabric had ripped at the seam. It is so much easier if it is the stitching in the seam which rips instead!
This repair looks very short lived to me – perhaps I should have tried a patch behind? Any recommendations??
Last up a pair of boots. These boots had split around the edges. I used Sugru, which is a mouldable glue which turns to rubber as it dries. I bought black (dark brown not being available), moulded a small bit and squeezed/rubbed into the gaps. I have yet to go walking through muddy puddles, but I am hoping my feet will now stay dry.
Thanks so much for hosting Agy – pop along and see what other repairs people have been involved with:) I’m looking forward to seeing what Supergirlsavings comes up with tomorrow:)
1 May – Agatha www.
greenissuessingapore.blogspot. com 2 May – Lisa http://www.cucicucicoo.com/
3 May – Millie www.2crochethooks.com
4 May – Stella www.purfylle.blogspot.sg
5 May Adeline Oon http://accidental-mom-blogger.
blogspot.sg/ 6 May – Audrey http://angelheartscrafts.
blogspot.com/ 7 May – Yaney http://kawaiicuteness.
wordpress.com/ 8 May – Christine http://rhinestic81.blogspot.
com/ 9 May – Karen http://ruderecord.wordpress.
com/ 10 May – Kareena http://
letsgoflyakiteuptothehighesthe ight.blogspot.sg/ 11 May – Lapis www.lapiswilliam.wordpress.com
12 May – Vicky: http://vickymyerscreations.co.
uk/ 13 May – Brandi, www.supergirlsavings.com/
14 May – Carrie http://www.curlycraftymom.com/
15 May – Deborah http://urbannaturale.com/
16 May – Kathy http://www.smilefornoreason.
net/ 17 May – Cassandra http://hippiewithadragon.
blogspot.com.au/ 18 May Break
19 May Maegan http://makeandk.com
20 May – Judith http://juicygreenmom.ca/
21 May – Vanessa https://sweetleighsewn.
wordpress.com 22 May – Joy www.xoxograndma.blogspot.com
23 May – Julia www.sumoftheirstories.com
24 May – Amanda www.craftyfrugalmom.com
25 May – Diane www.VintageZest.com
26 May – Emily, www.theinnovativemama.com
27 May – Emmy – www.emmymom2.com
28 May – Vanessa – http://diy180site.blogspot.sg/
29 May – Jean Chua – https://jeanstitch.wordpress.
com/
I love the red sashiko detail on the jeans, and I was also wondering about the sugru – is it crack resistant? I’m going to have a look at whether that book is available in our local library! Thanksk for joining the blog train.
Agy recently posted…5 Top Tips for Making Waxed Cloth
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Not sure if it is crack resistant, their website demonstrates it being used for shoe repairs but they do say it doesn’t adhere to all shoes. It has so many uses:)
I love the sashiko fix. It looks like it was part of the original fun design. As for the ripped fabric next to the stitching. I find it’s best to reinforce the damaged fabric with a patch and then restitch the seam for a long lasting fix.
Stella Lee@ Purfylle recently posted…Two Uses Tuesday Link Up 28
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Ah, not thought about adding a patch from behind so I would have some fabric to restitch the seam with, ingenious! Thanks:)
I love the Sashiko, I think it looks great! I’ve got some toddler boy trousers that need patching at the knee too, so I might try it.
Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork recently posted…REVIEW: Boys&Girls unisex trousers from loveitloveitloveit
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Thanks – I’m pleased with it – may go back toy the other pairs and do the same!!
Great post Vicky.
I burnt a hole in the front of my favourite top which I’ve seen up but very self conscious about it, despite darning it. But this post made me think I really should be, as it would be such a waste to bin it. I also love the stitching you did on your sons jeans. xx
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How disappointing re a burn mark – Can you add a brooch? or applique an image on?
Love all three repairs! I love how this blog train is giving me all sorts of new information. I had not heard of bondaweb or Sugru! I may have a shoe fix required that sounds like its calling Sugru’s name! Great fixes. I too am partial to the sashiko method! Wonderful Making Good!
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Thank you Vanessa:) I’m rather partial to bondaweb, great for applique – all sorts:)
I just did a similar repair on my jeans. Most people think I bought them like that! It just goes to show that a tasteful repair can be worth the time and effort, and leave you with a unique garment that looks like it came from a high end shop.
Sara recently posted…Kantha Needle Book
Love the jeans fix, I’ve mended many a pair of jeans at the knee over the years (2 boys – enough said!) mine were never as decorative as that, I’d even try that on my own clothes if the need arose.
With your husbands trousers it’s hard to see where the rip is on them, I think that will depend on a) how long your fix will last and b) if there is an alternative. Could you take a little of the cloth to make a seam allowance or will that make them unwearable? Maybe they need refashioning into something else altogether!
Julie recently posted…Making Toys from a Child’s Drawing
ohhh haven’t heard of Sashiko patching, I like it! how fun and cool looking! It does look like a great way to keep the patch in place and sturdy up those easy to tear and wear areas!
Kristina & Millie recently posted…Snickerdoodle Sunday Link Party # 81