How to Treat a Torn Leather Skirt

You can make a torn leather skirt look as good as new.

A leather skirt is a striking and versatile item to have in your wardrobe. It can look sleek and sophisticated, or tough and urban, depending upon how you wear it. While leather is a strong durable material, it's not indestructible. Unfortunately you can get a tear in an item like a leather skirt by getting it caught on a piece of sharp material. However, you don't have to live with the tear or throw away the skirt.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp needle or leather needle
• Polyester thread
• Shears
• Plastic or wooden thimble

Instructions

1. Select a sharp needle for lightweight leather, and a leather needle for medium- to heavy-weight leather. Thread the needle with polyester thread.

2. Turn the skirt inside out. Pull the sides of the rip together, creating a 1/4-inch or 1/8-inch lip on the inner portion of the skirt.

3. Sew the two sides of the lip together, making small stitches in a neat row. Do not pull too hard on the thread when sewing or make the stitches too tight as this will create tiny holes in the leather. Use a wooden or plastic thimble to help push the needle through the leather.

4. Knot your thread and cut off the excess when finished.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't use cotton thread. The leather contains tannins that will cause the cotton to rot.

References

• "Sew Any Fabric: A Quick Reference to Fabrics from A to Z"; Claire Shaeffer; 2003