Clothing Repair - Tumblr Posts
Patch on a Pocket
Hello everyone! I'm back with my latest DIY: fixing a cargo pocket that tore out.
I had my work ID badge in this pocket, and I caught it on a truck door. It's a messy tear! When I was brand new to mending, I would've given up. But I have two options: unpick this pocket and use it as a template for a replacement, or try a patch. I tried the patch.
Step one: Clean up the fuzzy edges.
Hmm. Yeah, since chunks of the original fabric are missing, I can't whip the edges back together. I need a patch.
If I'd actually torn the shorts fabric, I'd have put a patch on the inside and another patch on the outside, so the raw edges would be encased in a "patch sandwich." However, this is just the pocket. The inside of the mend doesn't have to withstand the washing machine. I decided instead to...
Step 2: Whipstitch around the tear.
I don't like the look of a whipstitch on a tear, and in my experience, when done on the outside, it disintegrates in the wash. But for the inside of a pocket, it's actually fine. I used marigold thread because I hate the color and have too much of it.
Step three: Prep a patch that's bigger than the tear.
I measured a 4-by-4 square-ish and pinned it flat onto the moving box that's protecting my carpet. Then I used my nail polish brush and my white mystery paint to paint a spiderweb. I've been inspired by goths lately, I guess.
Step four: Hem the patch.
This one isn't necessary--you can do it while you affix the patch--but I just got my machine back from the shop and wanted to try it out.
Step four point five: Pin the patch to the pocket.
I didn't measure well for the patch, and I'm extremely lucky that it just barely covers all the tear. Also I stuck scrap cardboard in the pocket so I couldn't actually sew it shut.
Step 5: Sew on and admire!
Here's the finished look! It took me a few hours (longer than making a new pocket would've taken), but I like it a lot. I did a few tiny stitches on the inside to keep that big corner of the tear anchored to the patch. I also put a few studs on the shorts because why not!