Leggings are prone to developing holes between the legs for those whose thighs touch together, causing friction and wearing down the fabric. Over the years, I've picked up a few tips that I'd love to share. Firstly, if you're wearing natural fibres without synthetics, be mindful not to wear them too snugly—natural fibres are not as resilient, and stretching them too tight can lead to faster deterioration. Another piece of advice is to mend any holes in the fabric as soon as you spot them. I've noticed that if I keep wearing them without repairing the hole, it tends to expand rapidly. Natural fibres do wear out over time; it's both the beauty and challenge we have to contend with. My mends tend to tend towards function over aesthetics since I usually wear my base layers under other clothing. However, if you're interested in a more decorative finish, there are plenty of beautiful techniques for visible mending.
Different Types of Repairs:
#1 - When it comes to mending small holes, all you need is some mending yarn, a needle, and scissors.
#2 - For holes that run along seams, a needle and mending yarn or thread, or with a sewing machine and scissors, do the trick—either method works.
#3 and #4 - For larger holes requiring a patch, you'll need a patch, needle, and thread or yarn—this can also be done by hand or with a sewing machine.
Note that you can use wool thread and patches for all of your mending if you would like to keep everything in wool. You can also use regular thread if you don’t have wool darning yarn.
Here's a breakdown of the repair process:
**Small hole mend:**
- Thread your needle.
- Knot the end and insert the needle from the inside to the outside of the fabric.
- Make a few small stitches to close the hole, finishing with tiny stitches on the inside.
**Hole along a seam (when small):**
- Thread your needle or thread the sewing machine with matching thread.
- Stitch the hole closed from the inside along the seam.
- Tie off the thread.
**Larger hole requiring a patch:**
- Cut a patch larger than the hole and pin it in place. For precision, baste the patch into place first before stitching it down.
- You can also use a sewing machine to stitch the patch into place. Sometimes, I reinforce the patch by stitching over it in various directions for added strength.
- Snip any loose threads.
Remember, the longer you wait to repair the hole, the larger the mend task will need to be! Happy mending.
