How to Fix a Wool Sweater That Was Eaten by Moths

The sight of your beautiful, expensive wool sweater with a moth-eaten hole sends anyone into a bad mood. Although you want to throw into the rag bin, ways exist to save moth-eaten clothes, depending on the amount of damage. If mending the sweater, try to repair as soon as you can, and use a moth-proof box for storing your sweaters in the future.

Things You'll Need

• Matching thread
• Needle
• Yarn in a different color
• Yarn needle
• Knitting needles
• Brooch
• Applique

Instructions

Repairs on a Seam

1. Buy thread in a matching color.

2. Push the frayed edges of the hole in toward the inside of the sweater. Turn the sweater inside-out if it helps.

3. Thread a needle and carefully stitch the hole closed with small, close-together stitches. If the hole extends beyond the seam, sew the vertical portion of the hole first, and then sew the horizontal portion. Don't try to sew the hole closed all at once with stitches that are too large.

Embellishments

1. Decide on a design that you would like on your sweater, such as a flower or a sun.

2. Buy yarn in the color of the new design and thread the yarn needle.

3. Sew an area of color using the edges of the hole as guidelines. Use long stitches and keeping the sweater flat, go from one edge of the hole to the other until the hole is patched. Go back over the sewn area the opposite way to strengthen the yarn with two thicknesses. If the hole doesn't look round, stitch around the outside of the hole to make it appear more like a circle.

4. 

   A few cute flowers on a sweater will make the hole a forgotten problem.

   Sew petals around the newly stitched area to make a flower pattern. If you decided on a sun, sew "rays" around the circle. Use embroidery stitches to make the design look purposeful.

5. Sew more suns or flowers on other parts of the sweater if you like. Or just keep the repaired area as the only embellishment. Your sweater is now a unique piece of clothing.

Restyling

1. Look at the position of the hole and think of alternatives other than repair.

2. Knit a square piece of yarn and add it to the sweater as a pocket, if the hole is in an appropriate place for a pocket.

3. 

   When you wear a beautiful brooch, no one will know there's a hole underneath.

   Add a brooch to the sweater to cover the hole if it on the chest portion. Stitch around the hole first to make sure it doesn't ravel further.

4. Fold the edge of the sweater sleeve up to make a cuff, if the hole is on the sleeve. The sleeve could be turned in to a three-quarter length instead of long-sleeve.

5. 

   Add a cute applique over the hole.

   Sew a felt applique over the hole in the sweater. Add more appliques to other areas if it would enhance the design.

6. Use your imagination, consult magazines or ask friends for more ideas.

Help From a Professional

1. 

   Many dry cleaners specialize in clothing repairs.

   Take your item to a professional tailor or a dry cleaner that specializes in clothing repairs.

2. Show the garment to the owner and ask if he is capable of repairing the hole. The possible choices are reknitting the hole or darning the hole. Ask the shop what process will be used for the repair.

3. Ask to see an example of repairs the shop has done in the past. Check the cost of the repair and decide if it is worth the money to repair the damage.

Tips & Warnings

• Only store clean wool clothes. Even a small amount of food or perspiration left on a sweater is enough to attract moths.

References

• Real Simple: Repair Damaged Clothing and Accessories
• Mother Earth News; Save That Sweater!; Therese M. Young; September/October 1983
• Margaret's Cleaners: What's "Bugging" You?
• Margaret's Cleaners: Guide to Knit Care
• University of Kentucky? College of Agriculture; Fabirc Insect Pests - Clothes Moths & Carpet Beetles; Bette Jo Dedic, et al.