All you really need is a little plastic thing of needles ($1), some pins ($1), thread (varies but even good cotton thread isn’t that much), scissors (where you might actually consider investing a little - do not use these scissors for anything else, and consider a rotary cutter if you really get into it), and fabric.

Fabric might seem like the pricey part of the equation, but consider how much a thrift store is going to charge you for a duvet or a pile of t-shirts! I have something like 30 t-shirts I spent maybe $5 on several months ago, and I’ve been working through that pile for a while.

You can turn a t-shirt into a pillow, a reusable bag, use the scraps to patch clothing, make dolls, quilts… The bits that get to be so small to be unusable for a scrap quilt you can use to stuff things.

It takes a lot of time compared to machine sewing, but it’s an activity that can be done while watching a tv show.

  • nathanjent@programming.dev
    28·
    3 days ago

    do not use these scissors for anything else

    1. Buy scissors for sewing
    2. My family uses then for everything but sewing
    3. Someone loses them
    4. Repeat from step 1
    • Valmond@lemmy.world
      7·
      3 days ago

      Cheap 3-scissor-set from IKEA to the rescue!

      With 4 of these you will only lose your beloved scissors half as much.

  • quick_snail@feddit.nl
    9·
    2 days ago

    If you ride a bicycle and keep getting holes in your ass, I recommend patching with webbing. Think seatbelt material.

    You can buy a roll of it from Johanns. They sell it for weaving the seats of outdoor chairs.

  • RaoulDook@lemmy.worldEnglish
    20·
    3 days ago

    When you have clothes that you want to keep and they get holes in them, just sew up the holes ya dingus! For your health!

  • hddsx@lemmy.ca
    37·
    3 days ago

    You can also use a sewing machine whilst watching TV.

    Also, the fabric IS the expensive part because you start going “oh that’s a pretty fabric” and end up with a pile of fabric. Then you buy another sewing machine

  • python@lemmy.world
    33·
    3 days ago

    I hand-sewed some goat legs for halloween last year with basically zero sewing knowledge, it was genuinely such a blast to figure stuff out :D Took like 2 weeks worth of evenings while watching a show but 10/10 would do again.

    spoiler

      • python@lemmy.world
        2·
        3 days ago

        This Halloween falls on a friday, so I’ll probably just be wearing the legs to work with a normal shirt and not mention them at all. Gotta fix all the hot-glued parts until then though, they fell apart very fast last year and I haven’t fixed them yet lol

  • 🇰 🌀 🇱 🇦 🇳 🇦 🇰 🇮 @pawb.socialEnglish
    16·
    3 days ago

    I need to re-do the patches on my jacket that I applied with fabric glue and want to just sew them on, but IDK how to do the ones that are over the breast pockets because I can’t get my hand fully inside to stitch it up. I don’t want to stitch the pocket itself shut.

    Edit: Curved needles. Curved. Needles! 😊 Gonna need to see if I can get one at Micheal’s since my little repair kit doesn’t have one.

        • volvoxvsmarla@sopuli.xyz
          6·
          3 days ago

          Love the patches. The pockets seem rather big, so the problem is not that you aren’t getting anything in, but that you cannot comfortably put the needle from inside to the outside? And I guess it is too thick to go in and out with the same stitch? If this would somewhat work you could consider a thimble, I recently rediscovered that little metal thing and it saved me a couple of times. Gets you through thick layers as long as your needle is stable (or you’re willing to sacrifice 4-5 needles for a project).

          Are the patches decorative or functional? If they are decorative (i.e. covering up imperfections) you would only need a couple of stitches to hold them in place, right? Or try another glue? If they are functional (i.e. covering up holes and necessary for integrity) you would need a more profound stitch. In that case, would you consider ripping the seam on the side of the pocket to open it up? That would allow you to have better access. Once you’re done you’d obviously have to sew the pocket back on.

          The other alternative is to find a friend with a kid that has small hands and pay them in gummi bears for their labor.

          • 🇰 🌀 🇱 🇦 🇳 🇦 🇰 🇮 @pawb.socialEnglish
            1·
            3 days ago

            The pocket actually looks bigger on the outside; only about 1/4 of the whole square you see actually is the pocket, so yeah; I can’t comfortably get the needle back out once inside. If I could even use my sewing machine, I would have already done it. But also: I never knew that’s what thimbles were for. Now I’d have to find one that fits my fat thumb lol It would help sew the one on the pocket flap.

            I was almost even just contemplating cutting the pocket out, sewing the patch on, then sewing the pocket back in place. But I don’t trust my sewing skills that much.

            • ChunkMcHorkle@lemmy.worldEnglish
              4·
              3 days ago

              What you need is a curved needle: it will allow you to sew from the top without ever needing to have access to the underside. They are cheap and widely available. When you use one to sew your patch to the pocket, you can use your hand to keep the pocket expanded, or even better put something small and solid in it to keep the two layers separated while you whipstitch the patch down from the top. Watch a video on how to use curved needles for repair.

              Going by name, there are two kinds of curved needles sold: upholstery and embroidery. You absolutely want the embroidery kind: the upholstery needles are huge, made for much larger projects, and would make the fine work you are trying to do very difficult. Also, if it’s there (doesn’t look like it is on your patch) you can pare down any hard coating on the underside of the patches around the edges without disturbing the patch itself, which will make it easier to get a needle through the patch when you go to put it on.

              And wax your thread: pull it lightly across a candle to coat it a tiny bit, then pass it between two fingers to soften it into the thread. (There are also commercial products that you do not have, but a candle is fine in a pinch.) This keeps your thread from tangling more than it has to, and lubes it a bit for the sewing. It’s not essential, but it makes everything so much easier that I never hand sew without it.

              If you get a thread that closely matches the beige of the patch it won’t matter how sloppy your stitches are, because they won’t be seen. But if you can, wash it and clean the grime off as much as possible before you do this, because it’s hard to match thread to dirty fabric. Also, when you are trying to match thread, sometimes value (light and dark) matters more than color. Because you’re sewing a lighter colored patch, if you can’t find an exact match, choose the closest one but go a shade lighter: the dark will stand out more on a lighter background. (It’s the opposite for darker materials, where you err toward the darker thread instead.)

              If you have any problems or questions, feel free to hit me up. I’ve been doing my own hand and machine sewing for decades.

              EDITED to add: Here’s a brief video on whipstitching a felt patch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NLr1r5ZMAM - she’s not using a curved needle, but this is the stitch you want.

              A video showing how to used a curved needle for repair is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJUuPHDPTyc. He’s using an upholstery needle with pliers, you can see just how big and unwieldy that thing is, but that’s essentially how you use a curved needle to sew from the top only on pretty much any project.

            • volvoxvsmarla@sopuli.xyz
              1·
              3 days ago

              Honestly, I have no clue what thimbles are for. But I realized at some point this year that instead of using some hard surface to push my needle through assy material and/or hurt my finger pressing too much, I can just… Use a metal thing that sits on the right spot.

              Also I know this sounds weird but go to a shop and try them on. It’s weird how much a good fit helps.

              The cutting out would probably be the way to go. I mean you could flap it, so it stays connected to the right spot, maybe it’s time for you to be brave and risk it. Especially since you have a sewing machine! That means the seam can turn out quite nice when put back in place. Anyway, good luck and updates are appreciated!

        • Dharma Curious@startrek.website
          2·
          3 days ago

          Iron on patches are your friend for areas like this. Curved needles as someone else suggested also work.

          But because I hate my hands, I almost always just unstitch the pocket and lining, sew the patches on, and then reconstruct the pocket and lining. Probably don’t do this, I get hyper fixated on projects and do things the long way round.

            • Dharma Curious@startrek.website
              1·
              3 days ago

              Yeah, you’re pretty out of option for an older iron on patch. Curved needles are your best bet if you’re comfortable using them. I hate using them personally, another reason I’ll unstitch and hand sew it back together. I’ve got a machine to do some of the heavy lifting, though

    • SrNobody@lemmy.world
      3·
      3 days ago

      I patched some holes in my pants, I have zero sewing experience just kinda winged it, but to keep from sewing the two sides together I just used a piece of cardboard in between

  • KittenBiscuits@lemmy.todayEnglish
    13·
    3 days ago

    Don’t forget to pick up a tin of cookies at the dollar store when you get your kit. You get snacks and a place to store your sewing supplies that is needle-poke-proof.

  • chloroken@lemmy.mlEnglish
    4·
    3 days ago

    reduces your impact on the environment

    This is basically a calling card of shit marketed to dems who purtport to care about climate change but take exactly zero minutes to comprehend it. Spoiler alert: read The Climate Book. Nobody’s individual household actions matter.

    • quick_snail@feddit.nl
      3·
      2 days ago

      “I can literally kill hundreds of animals per year and roll coal in my truck because its someone else’s problem”

      “Also I don’t know the difference between ‘necessary’ and ‘sufficient’”

      • chloroken@lemmy.mlEnglish
        1·
        2 days ago

        What if I told you I don’t kill animals and don’t drive a truck? Would you shift your argument?

        I know a lot about climate change. I also know a lot about capitalism and Marxism. Individual accountability has an insignificant impact on the crisis. If you believe that you’re going to make a difference with your household choices, you’ve succumbed to corporate propaganda.

        Like I said, read The Climate Book, an entry-level foray into the topic designed for people like you. You’ll probably quickly understand how badly you’ve been misled.

  • flandish@lemmy.world
    10·
    3 days ago

    knitting too. Knit patches on sweaters / cardigan are silly easy to do and can often look pretty badass.

    also careful. these hobbies are cheap but cozy yet ADDICTING. 😂

      • proudblond@lemmy.worldEnglish
        6·
        3 days ago

        I knit sweaters. I don’t like knitting socks, I don’t wear hats, and so sweaters it is. I get lots of compliments on them and when people find out I knit them myself, they’re always pretty astonished.

          • Lokoschade@feddit.org
            2·
            3 days ago

            Depends on the kind of gusset, there are easier techniques but they might mess up the wool pattern (like if you use one with stripes for example) and there are ones that are seamless, but a little more difficult.

  • Novocirab@feddit.orgEnglish
    5·
    3 days ago

    Anyone know some good offers for nice (nerdy) patches? There are nice embroidered patches on Etsy, but at 7 USD per patch they’re a bit expensive for everyday repairing (let alone extensive projects like a GNU/Linux-themed biker’s vest).