{"id":5576,"date":"2024-05-29T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-29T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/?p=5576"},"modified":"2024-06-05T04:42:19","modified_gmt":"2024-06-05T08:42:19","slug":"how-to-approach-repairs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/2024\/05\/how-to-approach-repairs\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Approach Repairs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"672\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-fixing-buckles-on-bread-bag-mending-project-mn.jpg\" alt=\"title photo\" class=\"wp-image-5575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-fixing-buckles-on-bread-bag-mending-project-mn.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-fixing-buckles-on-bread-bag-mending-project-mn-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-fixing-buckles-on-bread-bag-mending-project-mn-150x101.jpg 150w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-fixing-buckles-on-bread-bag-mending-project-mn-768x516.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Confession, I have an overflowing, extra-large, mending basket. Repairs and alterations always seem more like a chore I have to do while sewing something new is fun and exciting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Until a couple of hours into sewing the new pattern, the project hits a wall with fit issues. The kind that zaps all joy from the entire day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, a couple of hours after starting on the repair I\u2019m usually done and feeling pretty excited to have fixed something which I can now wear or use again.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m starting to think that ignoring the mending basket is not the way to sewing happiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A surplus Romanian Bread Bag with old rusted buckles\" class=\"wp-image-5569\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-2-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-2-760x570.jpg 760w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-2.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>My son bought a surplus Romanian bread bag at a very good price. However, the buckles were a little rusty. He knew they could be switched out with new buckles (because he doesn\u2019t sew he assumes everything can be fixed and altered to fit. &#8211; ahh, beginner\u2019s mind)\u00a0and he asked me to do the honors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Sew With Me: Repairing a Messenger Bag | The Daily Sew\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rsfSvDnoBLY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, I\u2019m going to turn it into a video and you can watch it here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, this video is a little different from my usual format of a step-by-step how-to tutorial. It\u2019s more of a watch and enjoy the process. But this post shares all the things to keep in mind for any textile-based object you are repairing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Before you take anything apart, examine it to get all the information you can.<\/strong> This goes for repairs and alterations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Look for things like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How is the item stitched?\u00a0 What type of stitching, stitch length, and what pattern of stitching?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What type of thread was used?\u00a0 The color and weight of the thread.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How was the item constructed? What had to be sewn to what and in what order or direction? Can I repeat that?\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What type of fabric is it made from? What needle and\/or presser foot should I use when sewing on this? Can I iron it if needed?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What seams will need to be ripped out to reach the repair?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Take pictures, write notes, measure how far over things are from an edge or a feature in the fabric and write it all down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"616\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-4-1024x616.jpg\" alt=\"With a seam ripper carefully rip out the stitches\" class=\"wp-image-5571\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-4-1024x616.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-4-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-4-150x90.jpg 150w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-4-768x462.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-4-1536x924.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-4.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Then you can repair the object to look like it had never needed a repair OR you could change it. You could add a pocket, fix something you never liked about it, or use a different thread color to give it more of your personality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the saying goes, \u201cYou have to know the rules before you can break the rules.\u201d And so it is here; know what you\u2019re dealing with first, then you can decide to change it up or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-6-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"close up of the new stitches. They mimic the old stitches\" class=\"wp-image-5573\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-6-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-6-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-6-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-6-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-6-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-6.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It really is easy to fix or update most things you believe are past their prime. A couple of hours of mending will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>extend the use-life of the object<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>make your wallet happy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>give you more confidence in your skills and self-reliance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>light the spark that occurs when we work with our hands<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>make one a little more conscious of consumerism and how it impacts our environment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>(That last one is optional. Sometimes I rather not think of heavy topics \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"619\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-3-1024x619.jpg\" alt=\"Buckles I bought from Bag Maker Supply \" class=\"wp-image-5570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-3-1024x619.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-3-300x181.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-3-150x91.jpg 150w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-3-768x464.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-3-1536x929.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-3.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Where to Get Supplies<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes a project may be an easy fix except you have no idea where you can buy a new zipper pull or the right size D-ring. Well, almost every type of bag hardware can be found on Etsy. As can rivets, jean snaps, buckles, trims, drawstrings, and elastics of all sizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of my favorite suppliers of hardware are listed below. Note these are NOT affiliate links but links for places I have used and will use again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/BagmakerSupply\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bag Maker Supply<\/a>: Buckles, clasps, locks, purse feet, d-rings, eyelets, grommets, rivets<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/StitchLoveStudio\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stitch Love Studio<\/a>: Elastics, bra hardware, stretch lace<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/SewingSupplies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sewing Supplies<\/a>: Nylon webbing, slides, plastic buckles, clasps, rings,\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/zipit\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/zipit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zipit<\/a>: Zippers<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/MaddyBeesBagsandMore\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/MaddyBeesBagsandMore\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Maddy Bee\u2019s Bags and More<\/a>: Zipper pulls, decorative slides and rings<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/CRAFTMESTUDIO\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Craft Me Studio<\/a>: Focus on leather craft supplies but can be used on textiles; grommets, rivets, snaps, snap fasteners, trims, rings, buckles<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wawak.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wawak<\/a> (not on Etsy) Zipper repair kits, zippers, buttons, some rivets, snaps, webbing and bag hardware<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-5-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"the bag with the new buckles\" class=\"wp-image-5572\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-5-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-5-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-5-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-5-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-5-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-bread-bag-repair-mending-project-5.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Confession, I have an overflowing, extra-large, mending basket. Repairs and alterations always seem more like a chore I have to do while sewing something new is fun and exciting. Until a couple of hours into sewing the new pattern, the project hits a wall with fit issues. The kind that zaps all joy from the [&hellip;]&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/2024\/05\/how-to-approach-repairs\/\" class=\"post-read-more\">Read more&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5574,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5576","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sewing-projects"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-5-tds-bg-fixing-buckles-on-bread-bag-mending-project-ft.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EZxn-1rW","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5576","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5576"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5576\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5580,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5576\/revisions\/5580"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5574"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5576"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5576"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5576"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}