Small repairs that extend a garment's life

Short answer: A loose seam, a small hole and a loose button take five minutes to fix and give the garment another year or two. Do not wait for the damage to grow.

The three that matter most

An opened seam, a hole under a centimetre and a loose button. All three can be sewn with an ordinary needle and thread, and all three become something worse if left to grow.

How to sew a seam in knitted fabric

Use a stretchy stitch or small stitches with a little slack, so the thread can follow the fabric. A completely tight seam in knitted fabric breaks the first time it is worn. See bamboo t-shirts for men.

What cannot be saved

A slack waistband, a worn through area and fabric that has gone thin across the whole garment. That is wear rather than damage. See bamboo underwear for men and bamboo clothing for men.

Frequently asked questions

What should you keep in the drawer

A needle, thread in black and white, scissors and a few buttons. That covers most of it.

Can an alterations shop repair knitwear

Yes, and it is cheap. Ask for someone who works with jersey.

How long does a repair last

A seam repair often lasts as long as the rest of the garment.