Darn Knit
#1
Darn Knit
I have a favorite shirt, and there are 2 holes that have appeared in it. They're both around or less than 1/4" in diameter.
What's the best way to mend them so they don't get worse, and so they're not particularly visible? I had thought I'd just do like I do with the jeans and fmq all over them, but I figured even with a ball point needle that I may be asking for runs.
ETA: I should mention that it's a very light knit, like thin t shirt material, not a sweater.
What's the best way to mend them so they don't get worse, and so they're not particularly visible? I had thought I'd just do like I do with the jeans and fmq all over them, but I figured even with a ball point needle that I may be asking for runs.
ETA: I should mention that it's a very light knit, like thin t shirt material, not a sweater.
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,813
I had that problem once. I took a needle and thread, matching color, left a tail and slipped the needle through the knit loop on bottom and top, then next row, etc to close up hole. That way the knit would not come undone and the hole get bigger. When you get the hole sewn up, then you can tie off thread ends, but not too tight as to make a dent in the fabric. Hope this is clear enough to you. Easy to do, harder to put into words!
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 1,397
Look at the possibility of using the lightest knit interfacing you can find - press a small circle on the back of the hole and use tiny stitches with silk applique thread to hand stitch it on with tiny stitches. make sure the stretch is going the same way as the garment..don't know the color or sheerness of your garment, so not sure if shadow of interfacing would show thru. Joann's carries a lightweight interfacing....I was also successful in mending a rather large hole by getting some soft chiffon in the color of the garment and stitching it onto the back in this way...used the bias in the direction of the stretch to make it "moveable".
#6
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,538
I have not found a way to successfully mend a t-shirt hole that is invisible. I have tried sewing a tiny pleat/dart running the stitches off to nothing on each end but you can tell it has been stitched. I have tried a small piece of matching coloured fabric behind the hole and darning over it with matching thread but it is visible. The best fix I have found is an appliqué, if it can go in a practical spot. There are just some spots on a t-shirt you just do not want to add an appliqué to.
#7
I had that problem once. I took a needle and thread, matching color, left a tail and slipped the needle through the knit loop on bottom and top, then next row, etc to close up hole. That way the knit would not come undone and the hole get bigger. When you get the hole sewn up, then you can tie off thread ends, but not too tight as to make a dent in the fabric. Hope this is clear enough to you. Easy to do, harder to put into words!
Look at the possibility of using the lightest knit interfacing you can find - press a small circle on the back of the hole and use tiny stitches with silk applique thread to hand stitch it on with tiny stitches. make sure the stretch is going the same way as the garment..don't know the color or sheerness of your garment, so not sure if shadow of interfacing would show thru. Joann's carries a lightweight interfacing....I was also successful in mending a rather large hole by getting some soft chiffon in the color of the garment and stitching it onto the back in this way...used the bias in the direction of the stretch to make it "moveable".
It looks like Martha Stewart suggests a regular old darn on a heavier knit (she shows it with a contrasting thread, but I think not in this case. )
#8
I have not found a way to successfully mend a t-shirt hole that is invisible. I have tried sewing a tiny pleat/dart running the stitches off to nothing on each end but you can tell it has been stitched. I have tried a small piece of matching coloured fabric behind the hole and darning over it with matching thread but it is visible. The best fix I have found is an appliqué, if it can go in a practical spot. There are just some spots on a t-shirt you just do not want to add an appliqué to.
#10
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,646
I haven't figured out a way to do an 'invisible' repair on knits, either.
You could maybe get some thin nylon thread (used for lingerie) and do a darn to pull the edges together - but it would still look darned. But that might be better than an obvious hole.
You could maybe get some thin nylon thread (used for lingerie) and do a darn to pull the edges together - but it would still look darned. But that might be better than an obvious hole.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
sandpat
Pictures
54
09-30-2012 05:55 AM
cmputerdazed
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
3
03-15-2011 08:31 AM