Sewing help please

Givenupgivingashit · 2023-01-30T22:08:37+00:00

Not sure where to post this but it's clothing related so I thought here but feel free to repost elsewhere if it's in the wrong place! Sorry in advance. DD2 has very helpfully just brought her school skirt down for me to fix, for the 127th time. She's ripped the back split, and I don't know what to do to stop it happening. I've used stronger thread, and that's given way as well now. She needs it for tomorrow, her other one is in the wash. Any ideas please?

Selford · 30/01/2023 22:11

Would it be possible to put a patch of fabric behind where it's ripped and stitch into that?

Original poster

Givenupgivingashit · 30/01/2023 22:13

Maybe, I've got some old school trousers which I could cut up. They're black and skirt is blue, would that matter?

OP posts:

Selford · 30/01/2023 22:17

It depends a bit how threadbare the skirt is, and also how dark the blue is, but personally I'd do it.

Before you cut up the trousers, can you put them behind where it's ripped and see how obvious the black fabric is?

007DoubleOSeven · 30/01/2023 22:21

If you can mend it by stitching back up again tonight then I would do that but look for a replacement skirt. Its either poorly fitting or poorly made for the split to keep ripping like that. How strict are the school? We weren't even allowed an inch split which meant pencil skirts were a no-no.

MarmiteWine · 30/01/2023 22:21

A small triangle or rectangle stitched at the top of the split on the reverse of the fabric should help prevent it happening again. Similar to this:

Original poster

Givenupgivingashit · 30/01/2023 22:22

It's just ripped up the back seam and taken the material with it. I might have a patch of something else which I could use but it'll still be black. Drives me mad, this is what happens when they play football with their friends as soon as they get home!

OP posts:

Original poster

Givenupgivingashit · 30/01/2023 22:24

007DoubleOSeven · 30/01/2023 22:21

If you can mend it by stitching back up again tonight then I would do that but look for a replacement skirt. Its either poorly fitting or poorly made for the split to keep ripping like that. How strict are the school? We weren't even allowed an inch split which meant pencil skirts were a no-no.

It's a fairly new skirt, it just gets worn a lot, ie all week in school and then stay in uniform after school. It's not really tight tbh. It's Trutex so yes suitable for school

OP posts:

Original poster

Givenupgivingashit · 30/01/2023 22:25

MarmiteWine · 30/01/2023 22:21

A small triangle or rectangle stitched at the top of the split on the reverse of the fabric should help prevent it happening again. Similar to this:

Thank you

OP posts:

MarmiteWine · 30/01/2023 22:28

Have just re-read and seen her other skirt is in the wash. Can you give that a quick swish by hand and leave to dry on a hanger hung from the top of an open door frame overnight? It should dry for tomorrow and will be less stressful than rushing a repair.

Jellybean23 · 30/01/2023 22:28

That happened all the time to DD's skirts. As previously suggested , sew a piece of fabric - a piece of tape or something - to reinforce the seam. Sew it down parallel to the existing seam and across at right angles, with a machine if possible.
I changed my daughter's skirts for A-line styles in the end so she could walk and run freely. M and S. It was some years ago so they probably don't sell the same now but it was a permanent end to the problem.

Original poster

Givenupgivingashit · 30/01/2023 22:31

MarmiteWine · 30/01/2023 22:28

Have just re-read and seen her other skirt is in the wash. Can you give that a quick swish by hand and leave to dry on a hanger hung from the top of an open door frame overnight? It should dry for tomorrow and will be less stressful than rushing a repair.

Yes that might be easier

OP posts:

Original poster

Givenupgivingashit · 30/01/2023 22:32

Jellybean23 · 30/01/2023 22:28

That happened all the time to DD's skirts. As previously suggested , sew a piece of fabric - a piece of tape or something - to reinforce the seam. Sew it down parallel to the existing seam and across at right angles, with a machine if possible.
I changed my daughter's skirts for A-line styles in the end so she could walk and run freely. M and S. It was some years ago so they probably don't sell the same now but it was a permanent end to the problem.

She's 13, no way will she wear an A line skirt!

OP posts:

Jellybean23 · 30/01/2023 22:40

Oh wow, mine was obviously not that fussed. The girls at the local academy all wear box pleat skirts - they were revamping the uniforms and voted for it themselves.