How to Mend a Split Seam

Whether it's in a sleeve, a pant leg or the bodice of a blouse, the principles for repairing a split seam are the same.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Straight Pins
• Needle
• Straight Pins
• Thread
• Scissors
• Scissors

1. With the garment inside out, pick out any bits of loose thread from the splitting seam.

2. 

   Still working with the garment inside out, match the edges of the fabric together where the seam is coming apart. Pin into place (see A).

3. Thread a needle with thread that resembles the rest of the thread in the garment as much as possible. Tie a knot in the end of the thread.

4. 

   Starting 1 inch (2.5 cm) to the right of where the seam is coming apart, begin stitching the fabric together from right to left using a backstitch. Pull your needle up through both layers of fabric. Then insert the needle 1/8 inch (3 mm) to the right of the spot where the thread came out and push the needle down through both layers of fabric. Pull the needle back up through the fabric, this time 1/8 inch (3 mm) to the left of the spot where the thread originally came out (see B).

5. Continue with this backstitch, bringing the needle up through the fabric half a stitch behind the previous stitch, until you've reached the spot 1 inch (2.5 cm) to the left of where the seam is ripped.

6. Tie a knot in the thread, and snip off the thread with scissors.

Tips & Warnings

• For a stronger repair, after you've backstitched across the split seam, begin stitching in the opposite direction over the stitches you just made, returning to the spot where you began.
• If you're continually splitting the seams of a garment, it's probably too tight. A tailor might be able to open the seam and restitch it so you have more breathing room.