When I saw this skirt by Comtoir Des Cotonniers on sale last year at A Miner Miracle Shop in San Francisco, I just had to buy it. I loved the print. Plus the proceeds go to A Miner Miracle, – a nonprofit organization that “provides professional clothing and image counseling to low-income people seeking employment.”
Everything at the shop is sold at a discount and this skirt was marked down even further. It was the last one and I think I paid about $15 for it (whatta steal!). The waist was a little big, which explains why it was still on the rack. However, it was easy to take it in a little – on either side of the six inches of elastic in the back.
But I digress – after I wore the skirt, I noticed a small tear in the back. Actually, it was more like a slice. OMG! What to do? I had already worn it and altered it so I had to fix it.
The first thing I did was use some Fray Block to prevent it from tearing any further. (Note: Fray Block is thinner than Fray Check – though you do have to run the tube under hot water before you use it.)
I was a bit sloppy with my application of Fray Block, which is indeed thin but it didn’t make the fabric really stiff, which was good.
Fusible interfacing cut into an oval
I didn’t think it would be a good idea to sew the tear because what ever stitches I made would be really obvious. So I decided to use some fusible interfacing over the tear. I had two fairly lightweight fusibles on hand and decided to go with something that was more medium weight. A really lightweight fusible could just start to rub off. The tear was in the bottom third of the skirt so my legs would be brushing up against it, especially when I sit down.
Then I cut an oval of interfacing to go over the tear. You don’t want a rectangle because you may be able to see the corners in the interfacing.
Ironing the fusible interfacing
The repaired tear
I turned the skirt inside out so I could steam iron the interfacing over the tear. It wasn’t perfect but it fixed the tear. And lucky for me, the pattern on the fabric is busy and bright enough that I doubt anyone will notice my repair job!
You can barely see the repair.
Id recommend a product called fixmytear. It’s a repair tape which sticks very well to vinyl, canvas and most other surfaces.Absolutely life saving tape.
https://www.amazon.com/Fixmytear-Magic-Repair-Tape-33ft/dp/B01MA5HSNC
https://www.amazon.com/fixmytear-Magic-Repair-Tape-Kit/dp/B016M1S1GU
Hi, repair tape for vinyl is likely quite sturdy but too thick for lightweight fabric like the cotton of this skirt. Also it would have to withstand machine washing not to mention ironing.
What about repairing a small fingernail tear on a solid blue Jersey Dress shoulder
Do you mean the tear is the size of a fingernail or that it was caused by a fingernail? If it’s a tear (a actualy opening in the fabric), then maybe you could disguise it by getting some matching thread or yarn and weaving it into the fabric, bringing the two sides together. My husband had a cardigan with a small hole in it. I went to a yarn store with the sweater and found some matching yarn. I fake wove it in and disguised the hole.
Greater idea!