Hole in Vince knit top - what to do?

Janet

I don't know how this happened, but there's a small hole in the sleeve of my striped shirt, and I love this shirt. It's a little bit more than 1/8" in size, right on my bicep.

I want to repair this if I can -- any suggestions?

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

13 years ago

Urgent

22 replies

Latest reply was from Mita

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Oh no, what a shame! I've mended fine knits with a small piece of iron-on interfacing (meant for sewing) from the back. It prevents more unraveling, and is less visible from the front than stitches in such material.

13 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

Do you have thread in similar color? You may be able to weave it back together.

13 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I can share what NOT to do. Clear nailpolish. It will work in stopping the hole from running and getting bigger, but it looks like, well, clear nail polish on your shirt!

13 years ago

Anonymous

Thin jersey is horrible to try and mend invisibly. I think no matter what it will be visible. I would say trying Ingunn's suggestion to stabilise the edges of the hole. Don't make the patch too big though or else the stiffness will show as the knit moves.

13 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

I like the interfacing idea. I would try mending it with like colored thread.

13 years ago

Parsley

Veteran

I have repaired small holes like that with a needle and thread from the wrong side, just weaving in and out of a strand or two of yarn around the hole. The repair isn't usually very visible at all. Of course it's even better if you have some of the matching yarn, but I never do.

13 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I was going to start a similar thread. Mind if I add my question here, since it's similar?

The Jcrew cardi I am wearing in my "WiW More Hot Pink" is one of my all-time favorites. Yesterday as I was pulling it off, I felt something tear. I discovered to my great sadness that I now have not one but TWO holes at the elbows on one sleeve. The holes are bigger than your hole here. The cardigan is some kind of cotton knit too. I really want to figure out a way to salvage it. Here are my thoughts -- maybe one of these might work for you as well? Otherwise I will be following the thread for more ideas:

1) One of those iron-on mending patches, applied on inside so it doesn't show. I have done this with great success in the past. It would likely work on your sleeve as well, since your hole looks more like a slit? Since my cardigan has a busy pattern, even if the patch shows through a bit it probably wouldn't be noticed. Downside: I will know the patch is there. I'll feel it against my skin. The patches are stiff.

2) Darning it. Either do it myself, or take it to the tailor or dry cleaner. I no longer have the matching sweater thread that came with it when I bought it. But brown regular thread might work. Downside: it never quite looks the same, and if you don't use the same sweater thread, it can pucker, in my experience. Especially if darning a larger sized hole (which is case for me -- your sleeve tear is much smaller).

3) Having the sweater sleeves shortened, so they are above the elbow. This would remove the holes entirely. Downside: I kind of like the 3/4 length; it's rare for me to find 3/4 length sleeves that are just the right length. I can't tell by your photo if removing the sleeves on your top would work?

13 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Ceit is right, it may easily show. You will only need a piece a fraction bigger than the hole, preferably in a matching color (black should be available). make sure that the edges are aligned before you iron it on - you will only get one chance! Iron-on stabilizers are available in many weights, and you should try to find a very light/soft one.

13 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Triple-posting

13 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

LOL at Mo! I have a pair of tights with multiple clear nail polish spots around the toes to prevent the runs from growing! I wear them with boots and they are otherwise in great shape so I don't have the heart to throw them out.

I like the interfacing idea. It would require a patch on the inside, right? Just a small scrap of knit fabric?

I'm having memories of the days when we darned socks.

13 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

I have very good luck mending small holes. If you don't have matching thread, find thread the same color or slightly darker. Don't use lighter, the mend will be more obvious.

I don't mend from the opposite side, for some reason the side I work from always looks better when I am mending knits.

Shiny, consider intarsia or reverse intarsia for those sleeves. Patches look like patches. Intarsia looks like you meant it. Check out http://alabamachanin.com/

13 years ago

ramya

Veteran

my mom taught me to darn it with embroidery stitches... works well...

13 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, everyone! I've taken a close look at it, and I'm decent with a needle and thread, so I'm going to try very carefully mending it first.

13 years ago

Anonymous

Is this something new that you got from the NAS? Remember Nordstrom's no-questions-asked return policy.

If it's not new, and just from wear and tear, I suggest darning (using a basket weave pattern) with embroidery floss. Even if it shows a little, it's very Euro chic to mend and wear your items into the ground.

@Shiny, the same method will probably work for you too, only you have the option of cutting some cheeky suede elbow patches and putting them on your sleeves to cover the repair if you don't like the way it turns out. Good luck!

13 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

This is from Nordstrom last year, and I could return it, but I really like it and would much rather try to mend and keep it. I am a little disappointed that it developed a hole, but I don't know how it happened, so it's hard to say whether it's a quality issue or operator error. :-/

13 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

What not to do: I had a hole in a fine knit sweater. My boyfriend at the time said he would take care of it. Now, his mom is a seamstress and I thought he would give it to her, right?

Nope! Hot glue gun!!!!

Utterly ruined.

13 years ago

Glory

Veteran

I have repaired many of these by darning/stiching from the inside with either yarn or thread. It must be the same colour or very close to it. In this case the hole is quite small and I think you will be successful. I have used the iron on interface (fusable) as well and patched many things - including duvets. I think it would also work but you would need to be cautious with the iron as it requires a certain heat to fuse. Once on, you will not be able to get it off again.
For the elbows you could try mending, then patches if that doesn't work - something fun. In the event that both fail you could shorten the sleeve.

13 years ago

Anonymous

My grandma taught me to use a small ball as backing for mending so the fabric stretches as you mend. She used a lightbulb back in the day. Try to use the finest needle available. I do have much better luck mending from the right side, Just like IK.

Here it is:

http://www.ehow.com/how_815450.....tions.html

You guys are probably sick of my grandma wisdom.

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Never sick of grandma wisdom, Zap!

Janet, my seamstress does invisible mending.

Is it perfect? Does she always manage everything?

No, not quite. But pretty darned close. She makes it so you wouldn't notice unless you already knew.

I never feel as absolutely pristine in mended items, but for things that are much loved, it can be absolutely worth it. Check to see if there is someone in your area who does this.

13 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

When I have had this kind of thing happen to me (or DH) I have taken it to a tailor (or mother, or mother-in-law) and they have sewn the edges together in a way that really is not noticeable. Hand it over to someone who knows what they are doing. Not expensive. I can sew a little bit but haven't trusted myself to make something like this a hidden repair.

13 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Shiny, I hope you're able to solve your sweater problem!

Zap, we had a darning egg for that very purpose -- I have no idea where it ever went, unless it's in the sewing kit my sister took home from mom's house. I'm sure I can improvise with something round.

I may take it to my seamstress first and see how comfortable she would be with this. If she hesitates, I'll try it myself.

13 years ago

Mita

Active Member

Great post and thank you Zapotee! This happens to me and my girls all the time as I live in cozy sweaters and lots of cashmere. Have had bad experience w seamstress so now do myself. I can live with the look for casual wear as it is on good quality items.

13 years ago

Category