How to Mend a Ripped Seam

There are few things more annoying than a ripped seam. However if it happens to you, don't despair. They can be fixed in a matter of minutes. Find out how.

First Step

The principle for mending a ripped seam is pretty much universal. It doesn't matter what material you are dealing with or where the split is occurring, you will need to apply the same steps that we have detailed below. This makes the whole process fairly easy and trouble-free.

1. Preparation

Deal with the area first. If there are lots of loose threads poking out of the ripped seam, clear them away – you want a clean base to start your repair work from. To do this you must turn the garment or item inside out and gently pick them away, cutting the thread where necessary.

2. Pin it into Place

The next thing you need to do is put the edges back together again. For this you will need to pin the edges together – this will act as your guide when it comes to the sewing.

3. Sewing Prep

Once the undone seam is secured, you will need to get a needle and thread ready. You can use a machine to do this, by all means, but often the undone seam is a small section of fabric and is just the sort of area that can be managed by finger-work! If you are facing a large expanse of seam, turn that machine on!

Getting the right needle for the fabric is of paramount importance. For instance, if it’s denim that you are dealing with, you will need a thick, strong needle to cope with the pressure of pushing through the material. Likewise, if it’s silk, you need a needle that can cope with working on such a delicate fabric.

Then, the next thing that you need to bear in mind is that you will have to match the thread with the original colour that you used. This can be tricky as the item may not have been made by your own fair hands. Don’t fret too much though – just find the nearest match. Seams do not expose the thread and a slight change in colour will not be visible to the naked eye.

4. Sewing Time

Once you have you needle and thread together, tie a knot at the end of the thread, large enough to make it secure. Now its time to start sewing. You are going to need to master the backstitch for this. That means starting a few centimeters to the right of the opening seam, pushing the needle down through both pieces of fabric and pulling the needle back up a few millimetres to the left. Continue with this motion until there is no ripped seam left. Then tie a knot in the thread and cut the end with scissors.

Final Thoughts

And that’s it! The only tricky part of the whole process is the backstitch. This does require some precision because the seam should not be too loose and neither should it be too tight. Get the tension right, select the closest thread and you would have achieved a finish that any dressmaker would be proud of.