How to Repair Clothing With Undetectable Moth Damage

Very often pure wool garments and other items fall prey to moth damage. Frequently, these items are thrown away, because the owner either doesn't know they can be repaired, or is not willing to pay for expensive, professional invisible weaving. There is a better option than disposing of these items, however. With very few materials and minimal expertise, it is possible to render smaller moth holes invisible, without the reweaving process.

Things You'll Need

• Steam iron and board
• Small sharp embroidery scissors
• Fusible web (1/2 yard is plenty for one garment), medium weight

Instructions

Invisibly Repair Moth Damage

1. Examine garment for moth holes. Carefully snip away any excess fiber or threads from the area. Cut these into very small bits and save.

2. Place item on ironing board, with only damaged layer of fabric on top.

   Cut pieces of fusible web to fit each hole, with about 1/2-inch to spare around each. For each hole, center the web under the hole, with the fusible side up towards the damaged fabric.

3. Fill and heat a steam iron to wool setting.

   Place a generous layer of fabric bits over each hole so that the fusible web is not visible. Firmly press the iron onto the area and give several shots of steam.

4. When all holes have been treated and the areas are cool, pick up the garment and shake it gently. Examine each hole. If any parts of the fusible web are evident, repeat the process again with more fiber bits.

5. When satisfied with the results, iron the garment as normal.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut enough fiber to do all of your repairs. If it looks like you will not have enough, snip small pieces from the garment's back side. There are always extra areas of fabric big enough to do this.

• Make sure your steam iron is not set too high, so that there is no scorching or other adverse affects.

References

• Cameo Cleaning: Invisible Weaving

Resources

• Fusible Web