Survival Sewing Skills

If you have never learned to sew or need to refresh, just learning these core skills will mean you can mend about 90% of clothes that need fixing.  Learning to thread a needle the easiest way gets you off to a good start.  Then sewing on a button, backstitch will fix most seams and many splits, herringbone for hems, and ladder stitch for difficult to access seams. Remember that practice improves the quality but just fixing something is the aim.

     Threading a Needle

Threading a needle can be so irritating it puts you off mending. Try this method.

Threading a needle can be so irritating it puts you off mending. Try this method.

     Sewing on buttons, learning how

Easy visible teaching on how to sew on a button, for beginners. And useful tips for those who need to refresh their skills. 

 

Watch this video to learn. Get more wear out of your shirts, trousers, coats and cardigan.

 

Mending a seam, learning Backstitch

Backstitch is the most useful stitch to learn as it can fix most splits.

Backstitch is the most useful stitch to learn as it can fix most splits.

    Backstitch, a real mend

Backstitch in action on a long mend, saved good garments.

Backstitch in action on a long mend, saved good garments.

    Mending a hem, learning Herringbone

Herringbone stitch can look difficult but learn from these clear instructions.

Herringbone stitch can look difficult but learn from these clear instructions.

    Learning Ladder Stitch

    Herringbone, a real mend

Herringbone in action for mending hems.

Herringbone in action for mending hems.