It’s always disheartening when your cherished clothes get stained or damaged.

Since we wear our clothes every day, it’s inevitable that they will deteriorate over time due to wear and washing.

When something tears, should you take it to a tailor? A dry cleaner? What if a stain appears—how should you handle it? Deciding where to seek help can be challenging.

By understanding how to properly care for your clothes and knowing where to turn for help when issues arise, you can enjoy your wardrobe even more!

In this article, we’ll discuss common clothing troubles and how to address them.

Common Clothing Troubles

Let’s first list some common issues that many people encounter with their clothes:

• ･ Moth Holes, Burn Marks, Melting
• ･ Tears
• ･ Snags and Thread Breakage
• ･ Linking Issues
• ･ Stains, Fading, and Yellowing
• ･ Changes in Texture or Sheen

Have you experienced any of these problems before?

Even if the issues seem similar, the solutions can vary. Understanding the causes of each problem and knowing where to find the right help can give you peace of mind.

Moth Holes, Burn Marks, Melting

Noticing a hole in your clothing? The first culprit that comes to mind is often moth damage.

Many customers say, “But I had it cleaned properly… I even used mothballs!” Despite taking precautions, moth damage can still occur. It’s essential to pay close attention to how you store your clothes and manage seasonal wardrobe changes.

Other causes of holes include burn marks from cigarettes or campfire sparks, as well as melting caused by friction or improper ironing.

When you discover a hole, we recommend consulting with a specialist in reweaving or repair, such as our shop.

While it’s understandable to worry about the hole spreading and attempt a quick fix by hand-stitching, it’s best to leave the garment untouched and bring it to us as is. Hand-stitching can distort the fabric’s weave, potentially increasing the area that needs repair.

If you absolutely must wear the garment and need to do a temporary fix, try applying an interfacing patch from the inside of the fabric as a stopgap measure.

Tears

Tears are another common clothing issue, much like holes. They can occur when a garment gets caught on something or after a fall, but they can also result from fabric thinning over time with regular wear. In the latter case, it’s important to note that the area around the tear is often weakened, requiring careful attention.

If you encounter a tear, it’s best to consult a specialist in reweaving or a clothing repair expert. There are several methods for repairing tears, and the best approach depends on the fabric, the location of the tear, and your budget.

Areas that experience a lot of stress, such as underarms or crotches, are particularly prone to seam splits or tears.

If you prefer an invisible repair, consider visiting a reweaving specialist.

A reweaving specialist can restore the fabric to its original condition by repairing the tear and then sewing it back together. Additionally, they can let out seam allowances to provide a bit more room if the original fit was causing stress on the fabric. This can prevent future tears due to tightness.

If you don’t mind a more visible repair and are looking to save on costs, or if the surrounding fabric is also weakened and needs reinforcement, a general clothing repair shop is a good option.

At a clothing repair shop, the most common method used is called “mishin-tataki,” where fabric is placed underneath the tear and a sewing machine is used to stitch over it with thread that matches the garment’s color. This method reinforces the area while closing the tear.

For cases where reweaving isn’t feasible due to extensive damage, or where the garment has significant fading or shine from wear, mishin-tataki might be a suitable alternative.

– How Can You Prevent Tears in the First Place?

Choosing clothes that fit well is crucial. If your clothes start to feel a bit tight, consider having them resized at a clothing repair shop.

Some people think that you can only alter clothes to make them smaller, but many suits, for instance, are made with extra seam allowance, allowing for size adjustments.

Why not consider making these adjustments before the garment tears? Consulting a repair shop early can save your clothes from damage down the road.