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how do I fix small hole in wool shirt?


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  • #1269521
    k web
    Member

    @kbweb

    Locale: Tacoma, WA

    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?

    #1699696
    Nathan V
    BPL Member

    @junk

    Locale: The Great Lake State

    I 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.

    #1699712
    k web
    Member

    @kbweb

    Locale: Tacoma, WA

    Hmm, I wondered about sewing. The 150wt wool seems so thin. Didn't know if that was even an option.

    #1699720
    Mary D
    BPL Member

    @hikinggranny

    Locale: Gateway to Columbia River Gorge

    Darning 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.

    #1699857
    Nick Gatel
    BPL Member

    @ngatel

    Locale: Southern California

    Mary,

    Just wanted to compliment you on being so knowledgeable in so many areas, and always posting positive stuff.

    #1700010
    Kevin Beeden
    BPL Member

    @captain_paranoia

    Locale: UK

    I was going to add 'ask your granny to show you how', but I see that hikinggranny (Mary D) has beaten me to it…

    #1700033
    Mary D
    BPL Member

    @hikinggranny

    Locale: Gateway to Columbia River Gorge

    Aw, thanks, Nick! (blush)

    #1700037
    John Castro-Rappl
    BPL Member

    @jabber

    Been 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!

    #1700052
    Tad Englund
    BPL Member

    @bestbuilder

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    I 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.

    #2168004
    Greg Pehrson
    BPL Member

    @gregpehrson

    Locale: playa del caballo blanco

    I 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.

    #2169648
    Tad Englund
    BPL Member

    @bestbuilder

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    Greg, 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
    Tad

    #2169663
    Greg Pehrson
    BPL Member

    @gregpehrson

    Locale: playa del caballo blanco

    Thanks very much, Tad!

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