I was raking the snow off my roof this afternoon when I happened to catch my coat on an exposed nail or screw. It's a fairly clean L-shaped tear about an inch and a half long per side. The tear is on the back about 4 inches from the shoulder and I don't really care if the mend isn't perfect looking. The material is 41% cotton/40% polyester 19% nylon. I don't sew and I'm tempted to look for some sort of iron-on patch as close in color as I can get. Any other bright ideas? I'm not going to buy a new coat this far into the season, although the way things are looking the season may last through May. Thanks.

iron on won't work too well, but you can give it a shot. Sewing... well, it's not that hard to do, a simple whipstitch will do the trick from the outside.. you don't need to undo the lining or anything if you don't care about it looking all sexy.

cbelt knows his stuff.

Duct tape. Come on, am I the only one who thought this?

Thanks, cbelt. I've been checking out some simple sewing videos on YouTube. I might actually gove it a shot. And Mike, duct tape was the first thing I though of. If I could find it in the right color, I still might try it (depending on how my sewing works out). ;)

Duct tape was the first thing I though too, but that was too easy.



Make a design with the duct tape or cover it completely.

Heck, a sewing machine is just another power tool. I have a cheapie Singer around (that I got on clearance at Target) for just this purpose...I've stitched up tears in luggage, an awning I used to have over a window at my office, hemmed some pants, etc. If you have access to a machine, a really tight overstitch would probably fix it fast.

For a quick fix, try a sporting goods store and see if they have a tent mending kit or something like that.

Or, if you want it to look a little more professional, drop it off with a local tailor shop or dry cleaner that does tailoring. I bet they could fix it fast.

Or you can continue with the duct tape.

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Sometimes I wonder, "What would Hodor say in this situation?" - Jim Gaffigan

But how can you mend a broken heart?

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Bedford, VA

wurm... try on some fabric scraps or a piece of old clothing first. The key is to roll the tear inwards towards the lining, and then run a stitch between the two 'lips'. Pull it tight, and you are repaired. Every tenth stitch or so, tie the thread off to the stitch next to it, so if one thread gets snagged and pulls out, the whole repair doesn't just fall apart.


And yes... my Mom taught me how to sew. And I use a sewing machine.. it's my late mother in law's German machine.. sort of like a Porsche. Vrmmmm. Very manly. Machine, electricity, sharp surfaces, possibility of personal injury. Grunt ! Manly !



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/05/2011 08:08PM by cbelt3.

some form of k tape would repair that, and that can sometimes last for years. It comes in clear as well as colors, and would certainly look better than duct tape. There may be a different version for cotton (and/or it may not work that well on cotton). There are probably other copy cat products to consider too.

[www.amazon.com]

cbelt must have a Pfaff machine, which is indeed a Porsche-level device.

I would go to WalMart, Michaels or Joanne Fabrics and find an iron-on patch in a close-fitting color. After ironing it on conservatively (ie, not with the hottest iron so as not to scorch the original fabric), I would stitch around the perimeter of the patch, either by hand or with my Chevy-level White sewing machine using thread of a similar color.

Do you have a tailor nearby (perhaps in a dry cleaners)? Someone who truly knows what they're doing can effect a near invisible mend. Columbia usually makes good clothing so, a good mend could keep your jacket serviceable for years.

....hmm....a TEAR.....on your coat.....??

....it is o.k. nowadays for men to CRY.....so leave that TEAR that you CRIED on your coat.....no harm....no foul.......

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I reject your reality and substitute my own!

You might want to treat the edges of the tear with something like nail polish or super glue to help keep them from fraying.

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in tha 510.While I fight with thee, dear friend, all losses are restored and sorrows end.

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Do you have a tailor nearby (perhaps in a dry cleaners)? Someone who truly knows what they're doing can effect a near invisible mend. Columbia usually makes good clothing so, a good mend could keep your jacket serviceable for years.

Best $7.50 you'll spend for the year... until you find a $10 fix for the Ariens.

Personally, I'd stay away from any iron-on patch & pay someone to sew it. What about asking one of your neighbors?

I'd sew that up in a few minutes & not even work up a sweat.
But then my grandmother taught me how to sew when I was about 8.

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.....learned to sew in the early years....people would say that I could SEW, SEW (<--so)....suck my toe....all the way to Mexico......

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I reject your reality and substitute my own!

This thread needs more pictures!

Thanks, everybody. Lots of great ideas. And we actually have a sewing machine in the house (it was my mother-in-law's), , but my guess is if I can find a tailor to fix it right for <$10, I'll probably go for it.

Tailor.

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It is what it is.

If there is a lining in that jacket, it is a hand sewing job. Do NOT use a machine.

OR you can use an iron on patch BEHIND the tear face up. Put it glue side up under the tear and follow the ironing directions.

If the fabric frays, get Fray-check for the edges then sew or patch.
[www.dritz.com]

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cbelt must have a Pfaff machine, which is indeed a Porsche-level device.

jawohl. Late 1970's model. I don't really 'sew clothes', just do repairs, and the occasional bad bit of sewing, like a cheesy costume for a kid, or shortening pants, etc.. I was sewing up sheer curtains yesterday.. the hems came undone in the wash.