Simple Repairs – JSS1 Fashion and Garment Making Lesson Note (First Term)

Simple repair is the act of fixing small damages on clothes to make them wearable again.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. State three reasons for repairing clothes.
2. List the materials needed for simple repairs.
3. Sew a button onto a piece of cloth so that it is firm.
4. Mend a small tear by darning.
5. Fix a ripped seam with a backstitch.

Why should we repair our clothes?

We repair clothes to save money, make them last longer and keep us looking neat.

• It saves money: you do not have to buy new clothes every time a small thing goes wrong.
• It makes clothes last longer: a small tear can become a big hole if it is not fixed quickly.
• It keeps you looking neat: a missing button or a torn seam makes a person look untidy.

What are the common damages on clothes?

There are three common small damages: a missing button, a tear and a ripped seam.

• Missing button: the button has fallen off because the thread became loose or snapped.
• Tear: a hole or rip in the fabric, for example from a nail snagging a sleeve.
• Ripped seam: the fabric is not torn, but the thread joining two pieces has snapped, as at the side of trousers.

What materials do we need for simple repairs?

Simple repairs need a needle, thread, scissors and, for buttons, a matching button.

• Needle: carries the thread through the cloth.
• Thread: should match the colour of the garment.
• Scissors: cut the thread and trim loose ends.
• Button: the missing button or a matching one.
• Pins and thimble: hold fabric in place and protect the finger (useful, but optional).

How do we replace a missing button?

A missing button is replaced by sewing a matching button onto the old thread marks.

Steps to sew on a button

1. Prepare the thread: cut a piece of thread, pass it through the needle and tie a knot at the end.
2. Position the button: place it exactly where the old one was. The old thread marks will guide you.
3. Make the first stitch: bring the needle up through the fabric and through one hole of the button.
4. Sew the pattern: go down through another hole and back up. Repeat about 4 or 5 times.
5. Secure the thread: on the wrong side (inside) of the cloth, pass the needle through your stitches a few times to make a knot. Then cut the thread.

Stitch patterns for buttons

• Two-hole button: go down through the second hole and back up through the first, 4 or 5 times.
• Four-hole button: sew in two parallel lines (=) or cross the stitches to make an X.

What is darning and how do we mend a tear?

Darning is a method of mending a hole by weaving thread over it, like making a small new piece of cloth.

Steps to mend a small tear

1. Trim the edges: cut away loose, “hairy” threads around the hole.
2. Stitch across: start a little before the hole begins. Make rows of small running stitches back and forth across the tear.
3. Weave through: turn the fabric and stitch across the first set of stitches. Go over and under the threads you made, like a basket.
4. Finish: make sure the stitches are flat and not too tight, or the fabric will pucker (look wrinkled).

A running stitch is a simple hand stitch made by passing the needle in and out of the cloth in a straight line.

How do we fix a ripped seam?

A ripped seam is fixed by sewing along the old stitch line with a backstitch.

Steps to fix a ripped seam

1. Turn the garment inside out.
2. Line up the two edges of the fabric perfectly.
3. Sew along the old stitch line with a backstitch, which is our strongest hand stitch.
4. Start a little before the rip and end a little after it, so that it does not open again.

Which repair method suits which damage?

The damage decides the repair method and the stitch to use.

What are the tips for successful repairs?

Good repairs need matching thread, quick action and patience.

• Match your thread: use thread of the same colour as the cloth so the repair is almost invisible.
• Do not wait: fix a small hole today before it becomes a big hole tomorrow.
• Be patient: your first repairs may look messy, but practice improves them.
• Keep stitches flat: tight stitches make the cloth pucker.

Class activity: the Button Challenge

Each student receives a scrap of cloth, a needle, thread and a button.

• Task: sew the button onto the cloth so that it does not shake or fall off when the teacher pulls it.

Evaluation

1. Mention two reasons why it is important to repair our clothes.
2. Which hand stitch is best for fixing a ripped seam?
3. What is the name of the method used to fix a hole in a sock or shirt?
4. Why should you start a little before the rip when fixing a seam?
5. List the materials needed to sew on a button.

Assignment

At home, find one garment with a missing button or small damage. Write the steps you would use to repair it, and name the stitch you would use.