Fixing holes in Kilts?

[nh_maclean]

I have a DIY kilt. I've surprisingly enough (to myself) adjusted buckles on a too big for me kilt and have it fitting pretty well. This is my first time sewing since - perhaps middle school? (Beyond sewing a button back onto a shirt to the point it's afraid of falling off ever again!)




Now this kilt has some moth damage that I'm not too sure how to fix without puckering the kilt or just "sewing" over the hole so it's filled it with threat....

Here's an example:


And another:

In this example, I have fixed one hole, and sewed closed the previous owner's strap hole. (Since this is a DIY/knockabout kilt - I wasn't too bothered with being exact and since this is the top of the apron - a belt and/or shirt would cover this)

I don't feel the need to fix every hole on here but would like to fix the bigger ones, while teaching myself how to do so...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Noah

[Pleater]

I use a triple stitch zig zag on my machine. It doesn't pucker if the settings are right. It is a version of zig zag stitch where three stitches are made on each arm of the stitch, and it will hold things together very well. It is less concentrated than the standard zig zag, more suited to darning. I put a piece of thin cloth on the inside to reinforce fragile items, sewing over the edge of the patch to reduce the strain on the damaged area.

If the colour of the thread is matched to the cloth, it can be difficult to find the repair.

A method used by the UK Navy is to take a piece of plastic bag, place it over the inside of the hole, then add a bit of cloth - and press with an iron. The plastic melts and glues the cloth over the hole. It does require practise to get the right amount of plastic, patch and heat.

I have a specialist powder which does the same thing - melts when ironed to glue on a patch.

You could try using the white PVA wood glue, it dries colourless, and I think there is a waterproof version, and some dark bias binding or tape - the bias binding is lighter weight, but should be adequate.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[The_Tailor]

head to walmart, look for a product called 'Heat-n-Bond', serves the purpose as the plastic bag described above, best to back it with a bit of linen in the same color as the fa bric to be patched. And for that extra OCD touch, hand stitch where the stripes are, in the same color as the stripe, following the twill pattern.otherwise, a perimeter stitch would probably work, blind if you can pull it off. Also, pick up some moth-balls or a cedar block, those little blighters lay tiny eggs.

[Splash_4]

If it is wool, you can also look for a re-weaver to make the patch for you. Some alterations services offer it as an option.

[nh_maclean]

I use a triple stitch zig zag on my machine. It doesn't pucker if the settings are right. It is a version of zig zag stitch where three stitches are made on each arm of the stitch, and it will hold things together very well. It is less concentrated than the standard zig zag, more suited to darning. I put a piece of thin cloth on the inside to reinforce fragile items, sewing over the edge of the patch to reduce the strain on the damaged area.

If the colour of the thread is matched to the cloth, it can be difficult to find the repair.

A method used by the UK Navy is to take a piece of plastic bag, place it over the inside of the hole, then add a bit of cloth - and press with an iron. The plastic melts and glues the cloth over the hole. It does require practise to get the right amount of plastic, patch and heat.

I have a specialist powder which does the same thing - melts when ironed to glue on a patch.

You could try using the white PVA wood glue, it dries colourless, and I think there is a waterproof version, and some dark bias binding or tape - the bias binding is lighter weight, but should be adequate.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

Thanks for this! I just wish i had a sewing machine (or a working iron for that matter! I think the zig-zag stitch is out but i might try to borrow an iron and see if i can find that stuff The Tailor mentioned.

-Cheers,
Noah