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Love and care for your more worn-out garments

 

We all have items in our closet that we love dearly and use often, some of which have been a part of our lives for years. That’s why it’s no surprise that some of these garments have seen better days. Take that favorite sweater or turtleneck, or that pair of jeans that have been there for the good times and the bad, for example. With the proper care, it’s easy to give your beloved clothing items extra love and attention to help them last longer. Because let's face it, no replacements will ever live up to their level of comfort.

The basics

 

Repairing or fixing up the clothes you love is not only less complicated than it may seem, it’s also a fun, crafty way to connect with your most cherished items. Something to always keep front of mind, is to make sure you repair things as soon as possible to avoid further wear and tear. Before you start working on the item, consider ironing it so that the fabric is straightened out and taut.

 

If you're going to sew, choose threads that are either the same colour as your fabric or a bit darker, because you'll notice that threads look lighter on clothing than they do on the spool.

 

Once you’ve finished, keep in mind how you’re going to wash the item in the future: denim is a pretty tough material and sewn-up cotton will hold up really well. When it comes to felted fabrics, though, you might want to reconsider before putting them in the washing machine as they’re prone to look messy when they come out. 

 

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Get creative

 

For a little creativity, add a design when you’re mending a hole in a garment (think hearts, flowers, or shapes and lines). Mending a tear becomes a creative endeavor if you add colorful embroidery around the area. Consider adding colorful badges to holes in jeans, going with the designs and tones you like best, and maybe even throw beads into the mix. Personalized flair turns your rips and tears into beautiful statements.

 

Consider trying out a handheld steamer: with their heated plates, they’re perfect for last minute touch-ups and convenient, effective steaming sessions. 

Patch things up

 

Patches are also a great way to add some style or a cute touch to jeans or a sweater, and you don’t even need to be fixing something to use them. Elbow patches on sweaters, for example, look great even if they’re not there to cover something up. If you are using a patch to cover up a hole, remember that you’ll need to fix the initial tear first so it doesn’t grow larger below the patch.

 

There are lots of original ways to keep your favorite clothes looking fresh. From fixing a ripped seam to patching up a hole, adding a personal touch to the mending process will give it a feeling of new again, so you can continue using your favorite garments for many years to come.

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