How to give Garments with Holes a Second Chance at Life

Here is some of the equipment that you may need when repairing or embroidering your own clothing:

• Embroidery thread
• Scissors
• Embroidery hoop
• Embroidery pen
• A garment

The way that we cover an imperfection is determined by the size of the hole. In my demonstration, I will be covering quite a large hole on the elbow of the garment. The technique I have used can be used on a hole any size and in any part of the garment.

To begin with, I used a back stitch to trace around the stable edges of the hole. This created a guideline and some structure so that the edges of the hole would not fray as I filled in the gap.

After this, I created the base structure for the woven technique that I was using to cover the hole by creating vertical stitches from one side of the hole to the other. I started in the middle, as this would allow for the stitches to become shorter as I got to the edges of the circle. The stitches I created starting outside of the structural back stitch. The stitches were not pulled tight as this would distort the fabric, they simply sat on the surface of the fabric. When creating the stitches, they should not create another line of stitches across the back but look like a ladder on the front.

To fully cover the hole, I then wove the same thread through the base, going over and under. To ensure the holes fully covered, start in the middle of the circle again as this will allow no edges to be missed. As you are weaving, push the horizontal thread upwards so they sit snugly together. This will make sure that the whole is fully covered.

Once these steps are complete, your hole should be fully covered!

After the hole is fully covered, you would be able to leave the garment like this if you preferred, I however prefer to add a little personal touch to my clothing. Here I will show some examples of easy embroidered flowers that you can use in any combination to help the repair on the clothing blend into the background.

This Satin stitch flower can be done in any size. But I have made this the largest flower on my garment.

To begin I have marked out the petals of my flower using a textile marker so I know how big it will be and where the petal placement will be.

To begin embroidering the flower, you first need to back stitch around the petal you are working on and down the centre. After this, you will need to fill in the petal using a satin stitch. This gives the flower a slightly 3D effect. Once the petal is filled in, it should be tied off at the back of the fabric.

This process is repeated for the number of petals that you have drawn out for your flower.

Once all the satin stitch petals are finished, I have added some back stitch to the petals between each of the other petals. To do this I have simply back stitched around each of the second layer of petals I have marked out.

To complete this flower, I have placed numerous French knots in the centre of the flower that has been left empty. I’ve used enough so that no empty space is left.

Another type of flower that you can use is this simple small flower. This flower can be done in any size, using different thicknesses of threads.

To begin, go through from the bottom to the top of the fabric where you want the middle of your flower to start. After this, go back down through the same hole leaving a loop at the top of the fabric. The needle should then come out where you want the tip of your petal to be, looping through the centre of the loop that you left previously. The needle should then go back down through where you want the tip of your petal to be. Once the thread is pulled tight this creates your petal.

Repeat this process for as many petals as you want for the flower. I have used four petals for my flowers.

Here's how to make a swirling leaf...

To create a swirling leaf, you first need to mark out where you want the swill to be. After this, you simply follow the pattern using a back stitch.

After the back stitch is completed, I have woven the thread back through each of the stitches to create a vine effect. To do this, you simply go through one side of the stitch on the surface of the fabric and back through the other side.

In my example, I’ve created three stitches that spread from the long part of the swirl. This is optional you do not have to do this.

Here's how to do a woven rose...

To create this woven rose, you first need to mark out a circle that you want the size of the rose to be. In the centre of the circle, pull the yarn through then create multiple stitches from the centre of the circle to the edge of the circle. You can create as many stitches as you would like so long as the number of stitches is odd. I have used five stitches.

To create the 3D effect of the rose, you simply need to weave over and under each stitch until you reach the outer circle you have marked. After this, you simply pull the thread through to the wrong side of the fabric and tie off.

How to do a Fench knot bouquet...

For this French knot bouquet, I first created a random selection of French knots across the area I wanted to cover.

After I have laid out the French knots, I simply connected them using long stitches in a way that looked organic. This created the appearance of a bouquet of flowers.

All of these techniques for creating embroidered flowers can be used in various combinations to create your unique look. Here is a peek at the way I have chosen to use these techniques to give a damaged cashmere jumper a new lease on life.

I hope these example techniques will help you find the inspiration to take a needle and thread in your hands and help your clothing last longer!