In yesterday's blog I talked about the idea of repairing holes and tears in clothing using embroidered stock patches. Using patches as repair tools is a great idea but they can cause more trouble than they're worth if you use them improperly. So today I want to expand on yesterday's post by giving you a couple of helpful tips.
1. Pay Attention to Size - In the Bible there is a parable that talks about repairing an old garment with a patch. The parable talks about how the new patch damages the integrity of the old garment and makes the problem worse than when you started. Whatever patch you choose should give you 1/8" - 1/4" of clearance around the entire area of damaged fabric. Without this clearance your thread will pull apart the fibers around the damaged area to create a bigger problem.
2. Use Tight Stitching - Whether you use a sewing machine or you attach your stock patches by hand, be sure to use tight stitching that's close together. If the patch has any freedom to move the threads will put stress on the garment and most likely rip-off within a very short amount of time.
3. Combine Stitching and Ironing - If you buy stock patches with an iron-on backing it's a great idea to secure them with a hot iron before you begin stitching. Doing it this way will help the patch stay firmly in place and give an added measure of support. When you stitch the patch after ironing, feel free to use tight overhand stitch that gets pulled over the outside border of the patch. This will keep the edge from pulling up if it gets caught on something.
Now that you know a little more, happy repairing!
