Mend your own clothes- patching jeans and shirts

I took patching my jeans to spectacular new heights in high school. I had one pair that was more patch than jean. They fit like a glove... mostly because I remade them that way. I would pin the patch onto my jeans while wearing them (safety pins of course), take them off, and then sew the patch like that. Usually with contrasting thread and embroidery floss.

I'm not that radical anymore, but I still enjoy a good patch on a knee or two. Elbow patches on sweaters are endearing. Inner thigh patches are a little bit embarrassing, mostly because I don't really want to draw attention to that spot, and patches tend to draw the eye.

That said, I must be a little more gentle on my clothes than I used to be. I almost never blow out the knees of my jeans. I mostly need to patch the outside edges where the fabric wears from use along the seam at my hip. Or moth holes in my favourite wool sweaters. (Bloody moths)



Some people like to put the patch on flat and let the edges of the fabric fray over time. I prefer to tuck them under and make a neater edge. Other people put the patch under the hole and let the fabric peek out. It all works.


So, here's some links to ideas for how to patch your clothes.

https://lifehacker.com/five-basic-hand-stitches-you-should-know-for-repairing-1723233194
http://justimagine-ddoc.com/crafts/secrets-to-a-well-mended-wardrobe/
https://www.thespruce.com/mend-and-repair-clothes-using-embroidery-4147820
http://aprettyhappyhome.com/2015/02/18/no-sew-way-to-repair-a-t-shirt-hole/
https://www.liveabout.com/how-to-fix-an-armpit-rip-1106412
https://www.wikihow.com/Sew-Up-Holes