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how do I fix small hole in wool shirt?
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Home › Forums › Gear Forums › Make Your Own Gear › how do I fix small hole in wool shirt?
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Feb 21, 2011 at 3:03 pm #1269521
Thought I'd ask those that MYOG. I have an Icebreaker 150wt shirt with an 1/8" size hole in the torso area from a fall against some rocks. I just need a simple fix. I don't care how it looks. Can I just do an iron on patch? It's not in a high wear area.
Thoughts?
Feb 21, 2011 at 5:05 pm #1699696I put a 1/2" by 1/2" L-shaped tear in a merino wool shirt sleeve. I turned it inside out and sewed it up by hand with matching color thread. You can hardly tell the rip was there and has lasted for about 3 or 4 years now.
Feb 21, 2011 at 5:44 pm #1699712Hmm, I wondered about sewing. The 150wt wool seems so thin. Didn't know if that was even an option.
Feb 21, 2011 at 6:04 pm #1699720Darning is the best way to mend knit fabrics. Here's how to do it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYVZ6OvOW9Y
Obviously, you'll use a much finer needle and thread than shown in the video, to match the fabric. Make sure you run your thread through each of those unattached loops above and below the hole. Don't pull your thread too tight; you want some stretch in the darn to match the rest of the fabric.
Feb 21, 2011 at 11:42 pm #1699857Mary,
Just wanted to compliment you on being so knowledgeable in so many areas, and always posting positive stuff.
Feb 22, 2011 at 10:59 am #1700010I was going to add 'ask your granny to show you how', but I see that hikinggranny (Mary D) has beaten me to it…
Feb 22, 2011 at 11:56 am #1700033Aw, thanks, Nick! (blush)
Feb 22, 2011 at 12:02 pm #1700037Been slowly converting my wardrobe to include more and more lightweight Merino wool, so this will definitely come in handy once they start seeing some wear. Thanks!
Feb 22, 2011 at 12:34 pm #1700052I purchased a Smartwool 1/4 zip last winter and when I pulled it out to use in May a moth had made a few hole in the front.
My Grandmother and Mother had taught me how to Darn wool socks so I went to the fabric store and picked out some thread that matched the fabric and darned the holes. You have to look close to see the darning.
The trick is not to pull the tread tight, in fact when you start leave the tread loose for the first while, it will get taught by the weaving pattern of the additional thread. The mistake I make is pulling the tread to taught. It is darning, not sewing, you are not trying to close the hole by pulling the fabric together you are filling the hole with thread.
For socks my mom would put a light bulb in the heel (usually the first place for a hole) and then darn the sock. This keeps and even tension on the sock and saves you finger while you are darning, it also keeps the shape of the heel.Jan 25, 2015 at 5:25 pm #2168004I have been looking for merino thread to repair a small hole in a baselayer but haven't been successful. Are folks just using polyester thread or something different? I have fixed a hole in a wool hat with polyester thread but feel a little scratchiness where the repair is. Thanks in advance.
Jan 29, 2015 at 10:49 pm #2169648Greg, I just use the Poly thread I have for my machines. It softens after washing.
You could use a cotton thread and it would be softer, but I never use cotton on my machines and for me it would be a waste of a spool of thread that might never get used again.
YMMV
TadJan 30, 2015 at 3:29 am #2169663Thanks very much, Tad!
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