Do you have a needle or a machine with you right now? Here we come up with the know-how! Now you just need to go through the lines below and put them to work. Are you ready for that?
But hey, before you get into the core part, you had better know what spandex material is. It means any sort of stretchy polyurethane fabric. So you can fix all the hole issues related to such a fabric. Here is how!
How Do I Hole in Spandex Material?
This fixing is easy if you follow a guideline. You will have a number of methods to fix holes in spandex material. Here we will be discussing the most common yet the most effective ones.
Okay, here we go!
Method One: Fixing Holes in Spandex Material with a Patch
Step One: Fixing with a patch is considered the best method to rely on in this respect! What do you need? Well, you need –
- A spandex fabric or garment to resource your patch
- A right-stretch sewing needle
- Polyester threads
- A scissor
- A tape measure
Step Two: At this phase, you need to measure the hole size on the garment. Please bear those measurements in your mind. Now cut off the spandex piece fabric so that you can use it for the patch. And don’t forget to make it bigger than the hole size.
Step Three: Now it’s time to bring the garment to the sewing machine. And yes, you must have the right thread to sew. If you ask us which one to use, we would like to suggest polyester threads of similar color.
Apart from this, make sure that you fix a stretch of a needle that will help you fix the hole in your spandex garment. Remember, anything except this needle will hamper the garment.
Step Four: Here the first job is placing the patch over the hole under the sewing needle. It would help if you used a zigzag stitch to sew the patch. Then you have to see whether the hole is large or not.
If positive, it will be wise to sew all around the patch. It will help fix that firmly over the hole. And if it is a small hole, you better sew over the hole to hold the patch vigorously. It will be like sealing the hole!
Step Five: Coming to this phase, you need to ensure that you correctly sewed the patch in the hole. Do not hesitate to repeat the stitches over the patch, okay! It will stop the rise of another hole from the same portion of your garment.
Step Six: Are you sure that you have fixed the hole fully? If yes, then bring your garment to the sewing machine. Thus, it will be ready to wear. And it would help if you kept the ”spare fabric” for fixing the next time.
Method Two: Fixing Holes in Spandex Material with Sewing Machine
Step One: A sewing machine brilliantly eases the process of fixing in spandex material. Before all, you need to set your stitches to zigzag. Here avoiding a wide stitch is a must. For this, it will be wise to set your zigzag at the normal levels.
Step Two: You have to be careful regarding the start. Instead of starting merely at the hole, begin sewing inches away from it. Go beyond the hole for a similar distance when you reach its end. It will help you seal the hole tightly, and the surrounding fabric won’t tend to tighten or loosen.
Step Three: You should not compromise on polyester threads while sewing spandex material. Wait, another thing you need to confirm. Ensure that the color of the thread is the same as the color of your garment or fabric. It will help prevent any unexpected distortion.
Method Three: Fixing Holes in Spandex Material with Adhesive Web and Patch
Step One: It’s fantastic to fix holes with adhesive web and patch. For this, you require some stuff essentially. These are –
- Needle
- Thread
- Fabric adhesive
- Scissors, and
- An extra garment or fabric
The extra fabric should not mismatch your intended fabric or garment. And remember, the adhesive must be washable. The hole’s amendment won’t be visible, and it is desirable to any sewer!
Step Two: Now it’s time to turn the fabric inside out. Measure the size of the adhesive, and come up with a size that suffices for the intended hole. It would help best if you made it a bit larger than the size of the hole.
Step Three: At this phase, you better cut out a similar fabric with the spandex fabric you are going to fix. Please don’t forget that the patch size should be the same as the fabric adhesive. Then after fixing it, you need to let it dry. You can even let it dry on its own.
Alternatively, you may iron the patch onto the hole and fabric. However, it will depend on the type of adhesive.
Step Four: Now, you are closer to the end. At this phase, darning around the patch edges is necessary to get set with the fixing. You will additionally need water in order to fix the coil. It will assist you in washing the adhesive that you managed to fix the patch on the hole, alright! It will help hide the odds of repair beautifully.
Step Five: Having an item of a similar garment or fabric is a must while fixing a spandex material. You will take the piece of fabric from this garment to fix holes.
Method Four: Fixing Holes in Spandex Material By Hand
Step One: You merely require a patching fabric and sewing needle to fix holes by hand. Please note that you will need a much longer thread in this regard. Then there will be no risk of running out of thread!
Step Two: At this moment, before you begin to sew, you have to turn the cloth inside out. By this, you can see the position of the tear without any obstacles. It will help you sew firmly.
Step Three: It will be wise to start the maiden stitch slightly away from the hole. It will assist you in holding the hole and the adjacent area firmly. What is the ultimate benefit?
Well, the patching cloth won’t tear out once you seal the hole!
Step Four: Go to the end of the hole. Do you want a better result? Then keep stitching a bit more beyond the hole and go ahead by ensuring that you are making a knot according to the requirement. Then cut off the stitches.
Step Five: The thread color and patching fabric color should be the same. And yes, it would help if you employed a thin needle. It will help avoid poking in the intended garment. Another thing you need to ensure.
You need to ensure that your needle insertion is as close as possible to the hole. This way, you will come up with short stitches. It will help seal the hole on your spandex material as tightly as you want.
Fixing Holes in Stretchy Jeans
Spandex material such as stretchy jeans is indeed soft and comfortable. However, sometimes they come up with holes early, and we need to fix them. The fact is, despite being comfortable and durable, they tend to wear out much more quickly. It occurs in the areas that face the most friction.
No worries, you don’t need to expel your old favorites. Apart from fixing, patching can be your savior! If you have a hole in the inner thigh, knees, seat, etc that endure lots of wear, you may go for non-stretch denim. And using the right type of stitch is a must.
Patching Jeans with Stretch Denim
Here we will show how to repair a hole with stretchy denim. It would help best if you secured a piece of leftover denim for this repair. Alternatively, you will need to have denim in a similar color and stretch to the busted pair.
Image Source: CCA SCHOOL GURGAON
Equipment You Will Need
- A Sewing Needle
- Pins
- Scissors
- Polyester or Poly/Cotton Thread
- Denim for the Patch
Steps You Need to Follow
Let us cover the four steps one by one!
Making the Patch: Cut a large and wide denim piece that covers the hole. Then the next job is to pin the patch around the perimeter.
Threading the Needle: It would help to double the thread. If you face it more challenging, you may think of coating the thread with beeswax so that it can create a breeze. Then push the needle through the patch. Remember, it should be from back to front. Your knots will end up rubbing against your skin unless you follow this!
Sewing the Patch: Now it’s time to sew around the full perimeter of the patch. It would help to sew approximately 1\8 inches from the edges. You can rely on a simple whip stitch. Each of the small stitches will be spaced 1/8 inch (or less) apart.
Then pull the needle out between the patch and the jeans on the final stitch. And don’t forget to knot the two thread sides together. You have to do it several times to secure it.
Reinforcing: You will have to ensure a fast-running stitch. Then again, start sewing around the perimeter of the patch. It will reinforce the patch. Only that? No, it will reduce the risk of another hole in your garment. Finally, tee off the thread and snip the loose ends.
Patching Jeans with Non-Stretch Denim
Now let’s see the opposite picture. You would be glad to know that patching clothes like jeans with non-stretch denim are pretty similar to the method above. However, both have some significant differences. See them in the steps below!
Image Source: Sewing Is Cool
Just before going through the steps, it would help if you saw what you need as equipment.
Equipment You Will Need
- Sewing Machine
- A Sewing Needle
- Pins
- Scissors
- Polyester or Poly/Cotton Thread
- Denim for the Patch
Steps You Need to Follow
Here are the four steps. Please find them right below!
Making the Patch: This is the first job. Cut out a square piece of denim. It needs to be a bit larger than the hole. Then the next job is to fold the raw edges down. At the same time, snip off the tips of the corners where they overlap. If you ensure this, you will get rid of any bulky appearance.
Afterward, refold the edges to press with an iron. It will provide you with a crisp edge. Finally, pin the patch to the jeans to secure it in place.
Pro Tips: Do you want your patch to be super-clean around the edges? Then you had better try another thing instead of the “fold and press” method.
For this, you may prioritize sewing a zig-zag stitch on a short stitch for the sealing of the hole. Feel free to employ a contrasting color thread. You may select a color that matches the patch and echoes with the background.
And do you want your patch to stand out from the crowd? Then it would help if you added a topstitching thread for a big ’n’ bold look.
Setting the Machine: In this second phase, you have to choose the right stitch length. This is very important. If you want the best result, you will have to set your stitch length to 3. Only a significantly narrow zig-zag stitch can make you taste the benefit.
Pro Tips: Dare not to use denim or non-universal needle. Such a needle fails to cut the jean’s stretch fibers. Instead, employ a universal or ballpoint needle to get the best outcome.
Sewing: Better stitch all around the patch’s perimeter while using a sewing machine. On the other hand, choose the smallest needle when you sew by hand. Make sure that the needle is enough sturdy to push through two layers of denim, alright! Then keep sewing using a simple whip stitch!
Pro Tips: Let us tell you about the apt way of simple whip stitch. The motion of the stitch would be a simple up, over, down, and back. You would be glad to know that is the easiest and most intuitive among all the stitches.
Reinforcing: In order to sew along the edges ensure a fast-running stitch. Along with that, tie off the threads. And don’t forget to snip any loose ends, okay!
Pro Tips: Despite being an optional step, it’s an efficient step for where you find a lot of wear.
A short, quick visual learning, you may go through the link below:
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Question: Does spandex absorb water?
Answer: Spandex or lycra, or elastane is a polyester-polyurethane co-polymer. A chemist Joseph Shivers invented this in 1958 at DuPont’s laboratory in the USA’s Virginia. It is non-absorbent to water as well as oils.
Question: How do you fix torn Lycra?
Answer: Do you have a sewing machine, a stretch stitch, and a stretch thread? Okay, then place the patch of fabric behind the tear and start sewing.
Question: How do you seal a hole in fabric?
Answer: Patching is the solution. However, if it is a heavier fabric, make sure that you have employed an iron-on patch. Then put the patch over the hole for iron with proper heat. Finally, reinforce an iron-on patch with stitching along the edges.
Question: Is spandex material stretchy?
Answer: Undoubtedly, it is a light, soft, smooth synthetic fiber comprising superb elasticity. A huge amount of stretchable garments depend on spandex material due to this benefit. Such a fiber can stretch up to 500%! You will have it durable against sweat, detergents, body oils, lotions, etc.
Question: What is the benefit of spandex?
Answer: Apart from being greatly elastic, spandex material is lightweight, comfortable, and resistant to sweat. You will find it sturdy and durable thereby.
Question: How do you fix an elastic waist that folds over?
Answer: You will have to cut the elastic and pull it out. Before that, cut the waistband to some extent at the back. Then get a new elastic cut one inch bigger than your waist. Now, you have to hook its one end to a safety pin and rethread the elastic into the waistband. That’s it!
Question: Does lycra stretch over time?
Answer: Yes, lycra or spandex stretches over time. It is one of the benefits of using it.
Question: What is wrong with spandex?
Answer: Because of being similar to plastic, its manufacturing requires raw materials and toxic chemicals. It particularly includes formaldehyde which causes allergies.
Question: Is spandex bad for the environment?
Answer: Spandex or elastane is not biodegradable. It is petroleum-based that requires lots of energy at the time of production. It poses a negative impact on the environment.
Question: Does spandex shrink?
Answer: Yes, it can shrink up to 10%. However, it needs lots of heat and time for that. That means, unlike other fibers, spandex does not shrink faster, especially at lower temperatures. So it would help best if you avoided washing and drying at high temperatures.
Question: Does spandex break down?
Answer: It takes 20 to 200 years for a spandex material to break down. So you will find it reliably durable.
Question: Is spandex safe for babies?
Answer: Since spandex is soft and cuddly, you will get them safe for babies.
To Wrap Up
Now you know how to fix a hole with a patch, with adhesive web and patch, with a sewing machine as well as by hand.
Additionally, you have learned about patching jeans with stretch and non-stretch denim. The fact is, it was an endeavor to help you secure a comprehensive, all-square notion. Hopefully, it worked.
Have a good day!
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