How to: Mend a Ripped Seam

Today, I have a super easy tutorial for sewing newbies on how to mend a ripped seam.  Why is this necessary?  If you have an over-excitable man in your life who lunges during World Cup matches with pants that don't stretch... well, this will save you a trip to the tailor or from tossing your favorite garment in the trash.  :)

You can use the same technique with or without a sewing machine, so if you are handy but not skilled with a machine, you can still fix those pants yourself.

How to Mend a Ripped Seam
What You Will Need

• Item to be fixed
• Thread that matches your garment
• Sewing machine OR needle
• Pins (optional, but useful depending on size of rip)

Directions

1. Turn your item inside out and examine the rip.

2.  If the fabric is intact, this will be super easy!  You will just bring the two edges of your fabric together and sew along the original seam line  (see below).

If you have some fabric damage, it is still doable.  After bringing your two fabric edges together, you will sew on the inside of the damaged area, meaning farther away from the edges of the fabric.  That way, all the damage doesn't show, and is in the inseam.  Unfortunately, it will make your garment a little bit tighter!

3.  Begin sewing both above and below the rip about an inch or so, to make sure your seam will stay secure.

Note: For extra credit, you can reinforce the entire seam to make sure that you won't have any future problems in other weak areas.

4.  Turn right side out and remove stray threads.

That's it!  It will save you a trip to the tailor and a few bucks.  Couldn't be easier, right?

Do you have any clothes in need of a mending?