I have a few reusable shopping bags made from a light polyester fabric. I love these bags since they fold into nice integrated pockets, fit nicely into my purse, and when unfolded they hold a lot of stuff. I have 5 or 6 of these bags that I use all the time.
One of my bags got a hole. Since I love the bags so much I wanted to repair it. My first attempt at a repair was functional, but not very attractive. I mended the bag with black thread and managed to stabilize the hole. But it looked terrible. I
I got the idea that one of those patch looms would be helpful. So I ordered one. My loom has 14 hooks and this is the contents of the kit. The loom, some elastics, a very long and sharp needle, and a long hook.
Next I watched some videos so I could understand how to use the loom. There are 2 methods for warping.
- Individual warps – This method uses individual threads for each pair of warp threads. This allows you to create stripes in the warp. But it also leaves you with lots of tails to sew in. This video provides an overview.
- Continuous warp – This method uses a single thread to warp the loom. It is tacked into the base fabric as you go and there are only 2 tails to deal with when the weaving is completed. This video provides an overview.
I opted to use the continuous warp method because I didn’t want to have to deal with sewing in so many ends when I was done. I stretched my fabric over the wooden disk and then setup the loom. Then I started warping using some white embroidery floss. You will noticed that I did not use all the hooks on the loom. I used enough hooks to ensure that my patch was larger than my previous repair.
With the warping completed, it was time to start weaving. I selected an orange embroidery thread and started. As you rotate the hooks on the loom the warp threads change so that you are going over/under different threads. After weaving a row I used a comb to push down the weft. (If you don’t have a small comb I suggest a dinner fork could be pressed into service for this job.)
To start the next row, you then flip the hooks from left to right (or right to left) to change the shed. You also need to tack the weft thread into the fabric you are patching before threading the needle though the shed to create your next row.
I found sewing down the thread before starting the row to be difficult, especially as my weft rows got closer to the loom because the working surface was so small. When threading the needle through the shed the videos also suggest that you push the needle through the loom eye end first. I tried using the needle both ways and agreed that the eye first direction was easier because the pointed end of the needle would sometimes get stuck on a warp thread.
I continued weaving until my patch was completed and there was no more room for weft rows. I then removed the hook portion of the loom and set it aside. But I left the fabric stretched over the wooden disc. At this point my patch is really a small pocket on my fabric. Next I carefully sewed down each of the loops at the top of the warp threads and secured the top of the patch to the base fabric.
It was now time to turn my attention to the inside of the project. I sewed in the tails and then trimmed them. (No photos. My work is passable but not really photogenic.) And here is my completed patch. It blends in nicely with the bag and I’m sure that it will help to strengthen my earlier repair.
Because I had my sewing stuff out, I also did a bit of mending on the attached pouch of another one of my bags. The pouch fabric had shredded 🙁 These photos show the pouch before I attempted to mend it.
Again, I used some white embroidery thread and mended across the ripped area. It was challenging to create a repair that would not lead to further shredding of the fabric. I also wanted to avoid bunching the fabric so that the pocket would continue to function properly. My final repair is not the prettiest. But I think it will work.
I am happy with my new patch. The patch looks cute, it is not too bulky and I think it is stronger than my previous repair.
The mending loom worked OK. Flipping the hooks from side to side was harder than I expected. (I am not sure if that is my fault or because I have a cheap knock off loom.) I also feel that the working surface was a bit small. As a result I went ahead and ordered a larger loom. I will be ready for next time I need to apply a patch.
Do you have some mending that needs to be done? If so I encourage you to tackle it. There is a great sense of accomplishment when something goes from the mending pile to being back into service.