If you find holes in your clothes, you may have moths in your wardrobe. Fortunately, these holes are pretty easy to fix! For particularly small holes, about 5 mm or less, you can use a piece of thermo-adhesive fabric to close the hole. If the holes are bigger, you can darn them, which means sewing with a needle and thread. By following these steps to cover the holes, no one will know they ever existed!
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Using Thermoseal Fabric in Small Holes
Step 1. Turn the piece inside out and place it on an ironing board lined with parchment paper
Before fixing the hole, you will have to turn the garment inside out. The thermo-adhesive fabric will be placed in the hole, and you should do this inside the garment so it doesn't show up when you wear it. Then place the fabric on an ironing board with a piece of parchment paper between the fabric and the board so that the heat-adhesive fabric does not stick to the material on the board.
If you don't have an ironing board, place the piece and waxed paper on another safe surface, such as a table or a part of the floor covered with a cloth. Never pass directly on a wooden or stone surface as the high temperature can damage it
Step 2. Heat the iron and press into the hole for a few seconds
Turn on the iron, place it in an appropriate setting for the fabric of the piece, and place it over the hole. For example, if you are wearing a T-shirt, set the iron to cotton. Do not move the iron, just leave it on the fabric for a few seconds to heat it up and prepare it for the thermo-adhesive fabric.
Do not leave the iron on the fabric for more than a few seconds, as this can end up burning the fabric and leaving a mark that is very difficult to remove
Step 3. Use your fingers to close the hole as far as you can
While the fabric is warm from the iron but not too hot, use your index fingers to gently close the hole and make it a little smaller, which will help when you do the repair.
Be gentle when closing the hole. Do not overstretch the fabric or create a crease
Step 4. Cut a small square of the thermo-adhesive fabric and place it on top of the hole
This material is a synthetic fiber that looks like a canvas, melts when heated, and is used to bond two fabrics when placed between them. The fabric can be found at most craft supply stores. Cut a square of about 1.5 cm and place on top of hole.
- This hot-melt fabric comes in various weights; choose one that matches the fabric you are patching. For example, use a lightweight for light fabrics like a cotton blouse. If you're patching heavier fabric such as jeans or canvas, use a heavy heat-resistant fabric.
- Your clothes should still be on top of the waxed paper. The thermo-adhesive fabric must not stick to the ironing board after the repair is completed.
Step 5. Place a piece of seam stabilizer on top of the thermo-adhesive fabric
This material is used to stabilize the fabric of clothing and prevent it from stretching or sagging. Cut a square slightly larger than the heat-resistant fabric, about 2.5 cm, and place over the hole.
You can find this item at most fabric stores
Step 6. Place a cloth over the fabric and dampen it with water
This item is used as a barrier to protect the iron from the thermosetting material and the stabilizer. Place on top of the piece and use a spray bottle to apply water to the cloth, at the point where the hole is located. Do not soak the fabric, it should be slightly damp. Moisture will help it stick better.
- If you have an old cotton sheet, you can use it for that, or you can buy one.
- When placing the cloth on top of the fabric, be careful not to move the other materials underneath. If they move out of place, the hole will not be closed when you complete the repair.
Step 7. Set the iron to the wool setting and place it on the damp cloth for 10 seconds
The iron must be in the wool setting for the garment to stick properly to the heat-resistant fabric. When placing it on the cloth, do not move the iron to avoid moving everything out of place. Leave the iron hot on the fabric for up to 10 seconds, then lift it up and set it aside.
Step 8. Turn the piece to the right side and close the hole with your fingers
You may still see a small hole in the garment when you turn it over. If this happens, use your index fingers to shape and close the hole. It should get more stuck when you do this because of the heat-sealing and stabilizing fabric. Continue using your fingers to shape the hole until it is completely closed.
Work fast on this step. Shaping and closing the hole is easier with the fabric still warm
Step 9. Iron the piece to completely close the hole
Keeping on the right side of the garment, use the iron to press the hole one last time. As it's on the other side of the piece, you don't need to iron it over a cloth, you can iron directly into the hole. The hole must be completely closed at this point.
Leave the hot iron on the fabric for only five to ten seconds so it doesn't burn
Method 2 of 2: Sewing Interwoven and Knitting Fabrics
Step 1. Turn the piece inside out and place a darning mushroom under the hole
The fabric should be turned inside out before you start sewing so you don't see the outside stitches when you're done. Then place a darning mushroom under the hole. This item is a mushroom-shaped sewing tool made of wood to hold the fabric in place while darning. The curvature of the mushroom allows the fabric to maintain its normal shape and elasticity.
If you don't have this item, you can use another curved object, such as a lamp or small bowl
Step 2. Thread the needle
Before starting to sew, you will need to thread the needle. To do this, cut a piece of thread long enough to cover the moth hole. As a guarantee, cut a piece at least 60 cm long. Wet the thread and twist the end so you can thread it into the needle eye.
Use thread in a color similar to the fabric you are sewing
Step 3. Sew a circle around the hole about 1.5 cm from the edge
Sew with a running stitch around the hole. If necessary, use a fabric pen to draw a circle around the hole and know where to sew. Remember to sew the seam 1.5 cm from the edge to ensure the hole is well covered. This running stitch will prevent the hole from stretching and getting worse while you are repairing it.
Step 4. Make horizontal stitches over the hole
Leave the stitches evenly spaced and start and end them near the circle of running stitches. If you do this correctly, the hole will be completely covered with horizontal lines 1.5 cm beyond both sides.
Do not pull the thread to tighten the stitches as this will gather the fabric. The goal is to use the mushroom or other curved object as a guide to ensure the seam will blend in with the rest of the fabric
Step 5. Make stitches perpendicular to the horizontal stitches above the hole
After covering the entire hole, you will have to interlace points perpendicular to the horizontal ones. To do this, use the needle to thread over and under the previous stitches and create a screen over the moth hole.
Try to create a weave that mimics that of the piece you are darning. For example, if you are sewing loose knitting, the stitches should be relatively spaced apart. If the weft is tight, the stitches should also be tight
Step 6. Interlace the thread a few times to secure the seam
When you finish the horizontal and perpendicular stitches, leave a long end on the line and interlace it a few more times through the garment to ensure the line will stay in place when you are finished. When turning the fabric the right way, the hole should be completely closed. Make sure the thread is securely fastened so that the seam stays in place when you use the garment.
