How to Fix the Snaps on Baby Clothes
Certain attached trims endure constant use. Trims such as snaps on baby clothes, handle unlimited openings and closings at the shoulder and crotch, as well as at the center front and back. Their constant use often causes excess wear on the trim. This trim requires additional security to prevent the baby from swallowing or scratching himself or herself with the loose object. Instead of discarding the garment, fix the snap with jewelry-making supplies, sewing supplies or fabric-tear menders. Snap tape with a piece of reinforcement fabric is another alternative to fixing the entire area.
Things You'll Need
- Ruler
- Fabric scissors
- Fabric tear mender
- Medium weight fusible
- Iron
- Sewing machine
- Edging foot attachment
- Tailor's chalk
- Sewing awl
- Cutting board
- Snap tool
Instructions
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1
Measure the width and length of the snap area with a ruler.
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2
Cut away the loose snap with sharp fabric scissors to avoid jagged edges or added tears to the remaining snaps. The area will look like a small hole with two separate pieces of fabric. Bear in mind that snaps are a two-part trim. The upper piece, generally stitched to the top hem of the fabric has an extension, referred to as the male section. The lower piece, generally stitched to bottom hem of the fabric and referred to as the female section, has a round opening, allowing the snap extension to fit and lock into place. If both snap parts are loose, you need to cut away both sides separately.
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3
Align the two pieces of fabric on your table and dab a small amount of fabric-tear mender. Let the surface dry, according to your brand's recommended time.
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4
Reinforce the snap area by cutting a piece of medium-weight fusible in the dimensions taken from Step 1. Cut another piece of a complementary fabric to cover the fusible, using the same dimension and adding a one-half inch seam allowance to attach in a later step.
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5
Iron the fusible to back side of the snap area. Turn down the raw edges of the complementary fabric, referred to as the facing, and iron as well.
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6
Machine stitch the facing to the snap area with an edge stitch. Use the edging foot attachment to ensure a close stitch around the seams to cover the fusible.
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7
Mark the snap area with tailor's chalk on the top and bottom hem separately. Align the markings.
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8
Pierce a small hole (using the marking made in the previous step as your guide) with a sewing awl. This tool has an extremely sharp point, which pierces the woven textile fibers, avoiding tears in the fabric. Place a cutting board underneath the marking to avoid damage to your table.
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9
Insert the male part of the two-part snap into the grooved top opening of a snap tool. This tool type locks the snap into place by piercing the layered fabric, giving the snap trim added security for your baby's safety. If your male part has a cap or cover separate from the extension, insert the cap into the grooved top opening and the extension into the bottom-grooved opening.
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10
Clamp the snap tool until you hear a click, alerting you that the male part has locked onto the top hem fabric.
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11
Repeat Step 9 with the female part. If your female part has a cap or cover separate from the round opening, insert the cap into the grooved bottom opening and the round opening into the top grooved opening. Repeat Step 10 by clamping on the snap tool.
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Tips & Warnings
If the snaps are coming undone without added pressure, tighten the snap with jewelry-making needle-nose pliers. Apply a small amount of pressure and tighten the snap.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
