Mend a favourite garment

Make it: Repair a loose shirt seam

Start here · 30 minutes

Gather: Clean shirt, needle, matching thread, scissors, and clips

Step by step

1. Turn the shirt inside out. Find where the original seam is still sound and inspect whether the fabric itself is torn.
2. Thread the needle, knot the end, and clip the fabric edges together along the original seam allowance.
3. Begin 1 cm before the gap. Use short backstitches along the original seam line, continuing 1 cm past the gap.
4. Secure the thread with several small stitches, trim it, and turn the shirt right side out.
5. Gently pull across the repaired area and check for puckering or an opening; reinforce if it moves.

You're done when: The seam stays closed during a gentle wear test and looks smooth from the outside.

Next project: Patch a worn elbow

60-90 minutes

1. Inspect whether the surrounding fabric is strong enough to hold a patch; choose a piece of similar-weight fabric larger than the worn area.
2. Round the patch corners, place it on the inside or outside, and pin or clip it without catching the sleeve back.
3. Sew around the edge with small even stitches, adding a second line near high-stress areas if needed.
4. Turn the sleeve, check for puckering, and wear-test the elbow bend before trimming loose ends.

You're done when: The patch covers sound fabric on every side and flexes without opening.

Course plan

1. Assess the damage
2. Prepare the repair
3. Stitch the seam or patch
4. Wear-test and refine