A seam that comes undone, a tear due to a clumsy movement or a shop hook because you ran into something sharp with your clothes: it can happen! But it's not the end of the world. For all such breakdowns, you can get by with this repair technique: the ladder stitch. Our do-it-yourself expert Melanie shows how to do this.
Minor clothing repairs
Repairing your own clothes is not only better for the planet, it also makes you a richer person yourself. You save a beloved item of clothing - because why did it break? It must have come óbecause you loved wearing it so much and you literally save yourself money, because that trip to the shop or tailor is no longer necessary. You fix it yourself for another round of wearing pleasure. So put on a nice podcast or playlist (tips for this we also have) and get to work on small repair jobs. This time we will work on a ladder stitch. Using this sewing technique, you can repair a shop hook or tear in your clothes easy fix it. Really, anyone can do this!
Repair a seam or tear with a ladder stitch
The ladder stitch is also called the invisible stitch. If you make this stitch very regularly, you won't see it at the end. So it's perfect for all your clothing repairs such as open seams, rips and shop hooks. Because you have to pull the thread, it's important to use a strong thread so your thread doesn't snap when you pull it.
Sin! Far too many broken clothes in the wardrobe
A survey by UK textile organisation WRAP has found that 30% of people have garments hanging in their wardrobes that they no longer wear, simply because they need repair. Bummer! In France, the government is going to help people. Here, you get (up to) 25 euros discount on repairs (and pay an extra tax for a fast fashion purchase) in the hope that it will encourage people to repair clothes more often. In the Netherlands, we have to make do with initiatives such as United Repair Center, mended.eu (send in your repairs and get it returned fixed) or the local tailor - which we absolutely welcome, but more is always better.
Source: wrap.org.uk & change.inc & volkskrant.nl
A tear in your jeans? No problem, with the ladder stitch you'll have it fixed in no time and you won't see a thing.
Tear in clothes? Learn the ladder stitch!
Tools
- needle
- iron thread*
- scissors
Instructions
- Thread your thread through the needle and tie a knot at the end. Insert the needle from the back to the front of the fabric and pull firmly to make sure the thread stays in place. If necessary, you can make a thicker knot or just tie the thread on the inside.
- When sewing up an open seam, make sure you precisely insert your needle into the fold of the fabric each time, cross straight over to the other side, again into the seam, come back up with your needle about four mm below it and cross again to the other side. As if making a ladder.
- Have you reached the end of your open seam? Then gently pull on your thread, you'll pull the stitches you made. The edges of the fabric will pull together and if all goes well, you won't see any more of your stitches!
- Insert your needle to the inside and stitch off.
Notes
A handy instructional video to watch this technique:
Get started with a no buy clothing style
Repairing clothes is great, but what do we do with all those other garments lying unused in the back of the closet? We get you started with the No Buy Fashion Guide. Over a hundred pages of cool ideas on how to look nice without even buying anything. Nothing. Nope. Nada. Not even second-hand! For 9.50 euros you will have it delivered straight to your inbox and thus on your tablet or mobile phone!
Will you also join this fun community? Read this guide too and discover lots of original ideas. Because so many cool clothes are already out there! Order the No Buy Fashion Guide from our webshop!
More sustainable DIY tips from thegreenlist.nl
- A big hole in your garment? Turn repair work into a work of art with Sashiko mending.
- You can also easily repair a hole in a knitted garment: check out how to darn a sock or knitted jumper yourself here.
- Help, your knot is off! Read how to sew these back on here.
- Book too long? This is how to shorten trousers while retaining the existing hem.
Photo credits: main image right: Pavel Danilyuk (Pexels), other photos: Melanie de Oliveira.
