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Such a bad idea to drape my linen over a lamp, however accidental it was (no I was not smoking!) I am going to mend it.
Once you've found a suitable patch (best to use self-fabric if you can) fold in the edges. Mitering is the neatest way to do the corners.
Pin it in place on both sides so it doesn't shift while you're sewing it.
I chose to do this by hand. An agreeable form of penance, and an apology to my cover for not looking after it better. It is actually stronger to machine triple-stitch, easier too!
All done! The new fabric will lighten with time, and the duvet cover will wear its honorable scar proudly.
That’s exactly the way my mother mended the knees of my brothers’ pants in the 1940’s. I did the same for my two boys in the 1960’s. In my memories box are the cut off legs from a little pair of jeans with the patches still intact but worn through – cut off so the pants could serve as shorts for the younger son. Waste not, want not! Now I patch my husband’s work pants (we’re retired, but he still “works”, usually on one knee pulling weeds or tinkering on an engine) but now I use the Japanese boro style – and that’s truly a relaxing “slow stitch” pastime, and they last! Patches can be decorative on just about anything.
Laura GL, I can’t speak for Tricia but I make my patches in a similar way. I don’t stitch through the fabric,per se, but I pick up tiny bits of fabric to engage the needle on one side and then do the same on the other side. If you use good quality thread,sharp needles and make tiny stitches, the results are quite nice and will last forever.
Another trick from my grandmother was to starch and iron both sides before mending. This keeps the fabric smooth and makes the fabrics a bit of a nice “stiff” canvas.
I happen to love patches. I just ordered shashiko thread and needles to learn to patch the Japanese way
Either I got the photos out of order Laura, or my stitches were so fine they didn’t show! (I’ll take the more flattering option).
Dumb question from someone who doesn’t know how to sew…In the 2nd to last picture, are you sewing into the patch? If so, why doesn’t it show up on the other side?
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vicki
December 09, 2017
My question is the same as Laura’s question. Not a dumb question by the way.