Five Common Mending Remedies
Are you replacing a broken zipper, mending jeans, or sewing on buttons? These sewing repairs get a 2-thumbs down rating in my book, under the topic of sewing entertainment! These clothing repairs are important, yet they don’t have to be difficult.
In this new two-part Sewing With Nancy series, I’m taking a lighter approach to fixing what’s broken, while breaking most of the sewing rules.
You’ll find five common mending repairs in the second episode of Quick Stitch to Wear Again, a new Sewing With Nancy program. Watch online, on Public TV, or on DVD. Or, follow all the details in the book. Here’s what you’ll learn!
Cutaway-Zipper Remedy
The Cutaway-Zipper Remedy is my prescription for replacing a broken zipper in a jacket or coat. Unlike traditional solutions, this zipper cure does not involve opening seams.
Holes to Art Patches
A tear in pants or jeans can easily turn from an unwanted hole to art. This next Quick Stitch to Wear Again technique is one way of fixing a problem with unconventional, yet clever sewing steps.
Lumberjack Patches
If you’re faced with a lumberjack-sized hole in your jeans, which needs immediate attention, I’d like to show you how to take the easy way out. But don’t think that this quick fix is temporary. No sir-ree, it’s meant to withstand the riggers of any want-to-be logger. Watch how easy it is!
Too Much Cake Solution
Indulging in an extra cookie or a piece of chocolate cake may seem like a poor choice. After time those extra treats can turn into a permanent fixture around our middles. Rather than discarding or never wearing your favorite pair of jeans, I’d like to show you how to make them wearable again, using my Too Much Cake Solution.
No-Fuss Repairs
The next time someone asks you to sew on a button, suggest that they watch this Sewing With Nancy segment online! I’m a firm believer that everyone should know how to sew this basic fix. The process is a no-brainer, when using no-fuss steps.
Two-thumbs up to Philip Ashby, graphic artist at Wisconsin Public TV, for his spot-on illustrations!
Watch Quick Stitch to Wear Again (Part One and Part Two) on Sewing With Nancy online.
For a chance to win a copy of Quick Stitch to Wear Again, simply leave me a comment sharing which of these mending tips you need the most.
Bye for now,
Content in this feed is © copyright 2017 by Nancy Zieman and may not be republished without written permission. You’re welcome to forward the email to a friend or colleague but it’s not okay to add the RSS feed automatically as content on a blog or other website.
The FTC requires us to tell you that Nancy Zieman has provided products by other companies in the course of her business. The FTC requires us to advise you to take this information into consideration when reading this posting.
Make sure you are subscribed to my enews mailing list so you won’t miss a thing. Sign up here. Join us on Facebook, plus a host of other social media channels. Connect With Nancy today!
Charleen SULIVERAS
I like four easy Jean repairs..I remember meeting you at a sewing seminar with Nashua Sew and Vac that was what I enjoyed the most meeting you
Florence Dupuis
I need to learn how to fix a hole in “art” My husband is always getting a hole in something!
Jackie Cupp
I am the Mom of the office of a lot of young people and always mending there clothes so any advise on how to do things quickly would be appreciated. I own several of your sewing and quilting books/ video’s (some are signed since I have seen you several times at Paducah’s quilt shows) but not this one and I am sure I could still learn alot
Mary Lou
I have a rain jacket with a zipper that is simply worn out from use. You can tel it’s my favorite and I would like to restore it for springtime weather.
MonicaAD
Holes to Art sounds like a FIESTA 🙂
Carol
You have some of the simplest most imaginative ways to help fix problems. Thank you!
BevM
I am interested in the Cut Away Zipper solution, because I do not like to rip open seams.
Ann Coombs
I need the zipper fix. My husband has a favorite jacket but the separating zipper has lost a bunch of its teeth! Your remedy sure seems a whole lot easier than trying to open the seams.
By the way, I just LOVE your show & have been an avid fan for the last 25 years. As a matter of fact, you’re the reason I got into sewing my own clothing. Thanks, Nancy 🙂
Julie Kill
Right now I have several zippers to fix/replace! These tips will go a long way for someone short on time!
Thank you!
Ruth
I always am mending for the grandkids when I visit them and would welcome new solutions.
Colleen
Buttons, how I avoid sewing on buttons! 🙂
Stacie Pinkston
Holes to Art! My children are so hard on their pants and are constantly wearing out the knees.
DebbieW
Too Much Cake Solution for the pants in my closet that I no longer wear because they are too snug. Easy fix that no one will see. Adding fabric to the sides is easy and elastic to the back takes care of gaps in a problematic fit. Life’s too short to worry about the little things! Thanks Nancy.
Dawn Schlegel
The zipper fix – I am always putting that repair off!
Kathryn E
The cut away zipper solution would be a life saver for jackets that have a lot of wear left but bad zippers. My husband has had to get rid of a few of his favorite jackets because the zipper was shot. With this solution, I can easily replace those zippers in the future. Now he will be able to keep those jackets until they are worn out.
Virginia Dumouchelle
I need a fix for stretched sewn in elastic on my capri pants.
How do I remove the sewed down elastic and put new on.
Nancy Zieman
Without seeing the needed repair, I can not exactly guide you. But my guess is that a lot of reverse sewing as in using a seam ripper, is part of the solution!
Holley mccree
I just looked at the zipper fix. Genius! I do the mending for my busy daughter’s family of 4. I think my son in law was missing about 20 buttons for his suits and pants once!
I am wondering how you are Nancy?
Bonnie
The Cutaway-Zipper Remedy sounds great for replacing a worn zipper. A fast easy method without opening seams is exactly what I need. Thanks for sharing.
Tam
The art for Too Much Cake made me laugh out loud! Too Funny!
Linda Tate
I am a serial mender. With 2 young boys many years ago, I had plenty of opportunities to repair zippers, jeans, jackets and quilts. I bought fabric to repair the feet on the one piece pajamas. I would use this book to continue my mending ways.
Pat
The cutaway zipper repair is the smartest and most clever idea I have ever seen. My husband seems to always need a jacket zipper replaced. I have always dreaded this task and consequently put if off. He may just get that zipper replaced today! Thanks so much for this helpful tip.
Starla
The cut-away zipper! I will extend the life of an otherwise fine jacket.
Ellen Pawlik
The zipper fix. My daughter has so many sweatshirts with broken zippers! She just buys a new one and I’m left with excess sewing projects (that I never seem to get to).
Debbie W.
Would love to learn the “too much cake” solution!
Donna W
The “too much cake” solution is what I need. And, maybe losing weight would help also.
Marty
Cut-Away Zipper saves lots of time!
Nancy G
I wish I had the Cut Away Zipper information before I spent hours taking my winter jacket apart to change the zipper. Its not together yet!
Nancy G
I wish I had the Cut Away Zipper information before I took my winter jacket apart. The project is still not finished!
Carol
Love the zipper fix! I have a jacket I’m going to try this technique on! Thanks so much for all the great ideas.
Toni Arnold
I hate discarding a jacket because of a broken zipper so this is the one I’ll use———-altho I hate to admit needing the expanding waist one too.
LindaC in AZ
The mending tip I need the most is definitely the zipper fix! It would be great to know a quick and easy way to replace a zipper.
Arlene Aughey
When I first saw your “Too Much Cake” solution, I wondered what~~~~? Then I got it, and oh, yes, that would be mine!
Margaret K
I love your easy repairs. I have avoided replacing zippers, but no more. Thank you.
Lynda Adair
I am really glad you demonstrated the No Fuss Button Repair. I usually sew on buttons for anyone who asks, but now I am going to show the owner of the shirt/blouse/coat, how to sew it for themselves. It is an easy and vital skill for anyone to know. Thank you for the easy demonstration!
mary m young
I almost threw out a jacket a few months ago because of the broken zipper. Something told me to hang on to it. Sure enough you came along with an easy solution.
I sometimes sew buttons on with my sewing machine. Remove the foot and lower the feed dogs and do a zig zag and go for it. Sometimes I tape the button in place as well.
Maybe sometime you could demo that……….Also I learned from your previous demo that I was using the wedge for sewing uneven surfaces backwards and not having any luck.
Thank you Nancy. Be well. Mary
Connie Weismuller
fantastic information on replacing a zipper in a pair or fly front pants… one of those infamous repairs I have been putting off for sometime now… Now I can make the repair without feeling intimidated. Thank you Nancy.
Angela Curtis
I like the Cutaway Zipper remedy best. Thanks for the chance to win your book and CD.
Laura Jean
I have 4 hoodies hanging in my closet that I love, and each of them have broken zippers. I haven’t mended them yet, because the idea of ripping out all those stitches … GAHHH.
Linda Rupe
Holes to Art is perfect!
Savannagal
I love love love the Cut Away Zipper idea. I just spent a small fortune replacing the zipper on a full length coat. This idea would have worked perfectly! I will definitely keep this in mind the next time I need to replace a jacket or coat zipper. Thanks.
Edna Marks
cut away zipper, hate opening seams to replace them!
Kim
I liked The Cutaway-Zipper Remedy! This is great!
Donna Eszlinger
I have used this zipper trick for some time, after struggling with opening bulky seams, and placing, pinning, and trying to get zippers to fit into bulky seams. great sewing that it is acceptable to use easy short cuts. also the use of pockets to patch on knee’s and opening side seams, to get into difficult places has also been a time saver, now just would love to see what other tricks are in the book of easy tasks.
Gail Beam
I loved the cutaway zipper technique. It is an awesome remedy that anyone could do. Thanks Nancy for another fabulous video!
Jeanne
The cut away zipper repair is a tip I look forward to doing. The tape at the bottom of the zipper on my coats are always tearing out and now I can easily replace the zipper without discarding the coat. Thank you so much for these repair tips.
Joyce
Too much cake solution is genius. That’s what I need!
Peggy S
I don’t mind doing zippers, but your way is much faster, so will do it your way, also I am always fixing holes in my hubby’s jeans so now I can be creative while mending jeans. Have many of your books (not this one) and they are all so helpful.
Karen
What fabulous ideas! I love the jeans waistband tricks with the elastic and wedges. I would love to read and use your book. Thanks for sharing!
Mary Ann Stauffacher
I love the zipper replacement for sure. The ate too much cake is also very helpful especially this time of the year. Love all your books and programs. God bless you Nancy.
Noreen
I love the cut-away zipper idea! I’ve always hated replacing zippers, and have often given away the garment because it was too much trouble to replace the zipper.
Cindy K
I could use a lesson in the cutaway zipper remedy and the lumberjack repair for my husbands clothes. His work is very hard on his clothes.
Linda
I love the tip about replacing zippers. I’ve always hated trying to do that.
Jade
I must admit I need the Too Much Cake Solution!
Carole Plourde
Fixing broken zippers in jeans is the one repair that I really need to know how to do. I’ve avoided it because ripping the old zipper out and putting in the new one looked impossible to do since I have done mostly craft sewing and not garment construction.
Clovis
I like the jean zipper repair. A great idea. You don’t have to sew everything together again.
Ann
Your zipper fix is needed in our household! Not opening seams is a huge benefit, and the ribbon is a cute addition!
Heather Hoover
I need them all! With my 4 kids I always have a big pile of mending. I used to watch your show years ago and I’m just getting back into it. So glad I checked to see if you have a blog, I’m hoping to work through my mending tomorrow! !!
Mary Ellen Coumerilh
I’m always needing to replace zippers, it seems, and it’s such a pain!
Bonnye
I am known in my family as the sewing fixer upper. Zipper repairs, Jean rips, you name it. I would love to win the book.
Donna Ohl
I am required to wear an orthotic that fits in my shoe and is secured by a strap around my calf. This requires me to have knit slacks or boot-cut jeans that allow me to pull the pant leg up to below the knee to strap the orthotic to my leg. Now that I’m retired, I am wearing jeans more often and, to create ease in my old jeans, I have re-started a once-popular fashion–I am creating bell bottom jeans. It can be a tedious alteration, but saves me the cost of buying new jeans! I would love to win your book and CD. Your quick stitches have got to be good!.
Arlene Burger
Cut Away Remedy is what I would use the most. That is a great technique. Thanks!
Gina M
Zippers! I hate to admit that when my girls were younger, they grew out of some things that needed mending before I had to courage to fix the zipper! Thanks for the tips!
Debra A Armstrong
The tip I ‘Need” the most is the Too Much Cake remedy. The cleverest one is the Cut Away Zipper.