Have you ever wondered how to deal with holes or tears in your favorite clothes? There are various methods to repair tears and wear, but it’s crucial to choose the appropriate method based on the type of clothing, the size, and location of the damage. Sometimes, even after repair, the damage remains noticeable, and many customers bring their items to us for further reprocessing. Today, we’ll introduce some examples of clothes initially repaired with general methods and then reprocessed with our kake-tsugi technique.

1. Sewing

Hand Sewing: Hand sewing is an ideal method for repairing small holes and tears. It allows for easy, affordable repairs using needles and threads to stitch or patch similar fabrics. However, the outcome can vary greatly depending on the repair technique and skill, which is a drawback of hand sewing. Be careful with needle placement, as it can inadvertently widen the hole.

Machine Sewing: Methods like machine stitching are suitable for repairing larger tears or reinforcing areas needing more strength. This method is often affordable at local clothing repair shops. However, since it usually involves sewing large areas, the result can be conspicuous, depending on the fabric and the skill of the artisan. It’s recommended for repairs in less visible areas or on fabrics where the repair is less noticeable.

3. Overlocking and Ladder Stitching

Overlocking: Overlocking is a technique to prevent fraying by sewing along the edge of the fabric. It is particularly suitable for knitwear, ensuring that the edges are firmly reinforced.

Ladder Stitching: Ladder stitching is used to make tears less noticeable by sewing in a way that the stitches are hidden. This technique is recommended for repairs where appearance is important. Be cautious with needle placement, especially with soft fabrics or knits, to avoid widening the hole.

4. Kake-tsugi (Reweaving)

Even when repaired with the same kake-tsugi technique, the outcome can vary depending on the angle, location, and method of thread insertion. While there are fabrics where the repair remains noticeable despite our best efforts, we can often improve the repair. Since reprocessing involves undoing previous repairs, the repair area may become larger, increasing the risk of noticeable repair marks and higher costs. Please understand this in advance.

※Kake-tsugi is a restoration technique that repairs damage such as holes and moth-eaten areas, bringing the garment closer to its original state. Since it is done entirely by hand by skilled artisans, the difference in technique is significant.

Summary

There are various repair methods from hand sewing to professional services. The choice of repair method depends on the desired finish, cost, and the degree of attachment to the garment. Repeated reprocessing due to noticeable repair marks can increase the repair area and costs. Often, kake-tsugi ends up being the most affordable and aesthetically pleasing solution. Feel free to consult us first (we provide free estimates).

Note: If we determine that reprocessing will make the appearance or finish more noticeable, we may deem the repair impossible.