Making over Knit Dresses

As some long-term readers might know, one of my favourite knit patterns is Kwik Sew 3559, an older OOP pattern that I've made 10+ times. Two of my 3559 dress versions haven't been worn much, so I decided to remake them into tee length tops instead. I really need more comfy tees, and these were easy fixes. 

The first was a plain black short sleeved version. I never wore this, as I had added a band on the bottom to get it to the right length, and somehow it just didn't sit right. The hem curled up after a couple of wears and I just couldn't sort it. Perfect candidate for a chop! I sewed the pocket openngs shut from the inside & then cut off the pocket bags. This one I cut to a high hip tee length, and just ironed on some knit interfacing to keep the hem smooth, I didn't sew it at all. Quick and easy, and will mostly be worn under a cardigan or jacket anyhow. 

The second one was a little bit fussier. This knit is really lightweight and springy, which is why it never worked well as a dress. I wore it a couple of times, but I found that once I put the sash on, the back of it clung to my bottom more than I liked. Also it is a bit static which doesn't help. So I wasn't reaching for it often, but I love the pretty fabric and how soft it is to wear. I thought if I made it over into a tunic, I wouldn't be tying it around my waist and the fabric could fall more naturally. So I did the same with the pockets - sewed the seam shut and then cut off the pocket bags. I then measured down from the yoke and cut this one a bit longer than the black one. I also added hem tape to the bottom of this. 

I then took the 9" that I cut off and sewed into a tube for a quick infinity style scarf that I can add to this if I want a little extra coverage or just a different look. This was fun to do and I'm glad I could use the fabric for another piece. I think I will get a lot more wear out of this tunic version! 

A Blue Mood for Mend Day

I have a strange resistance to fixing something after it's done & in the closet. While I am making it, no problem to rip a seam & do something over or shorten something a little more. But if I have "finished" something I don't want to go back to do those same little fixes!

But I do want to be comfortable wearing what I make so this week I did go back & do a few minor repairs to pieces which all happened to be blue!

First I had this blue linen Rush Hour Dress by Lisette. I love this one. The issue was the back walking slit. The lining was stitched to the edges of the slit but it was pulling it, making it uneven & a bit puckered. This fix took about 10 minutes - I unpicked the lining around the slit, repinned it while the dress was hanging to avoid fabric gathering & restitched it. Done & now perfect.

Next was not a mend but it was a kind of fix. Ever since I made the Style 1065 top last year I have wanted to put shoulder pads in. I made this top with fabric from an upcycled dress & knew I had kept the original small shoulder pads somewhere! I finally found them & added them to the top & I think it improves the fit a lot, at least I like it more.

And last is a  top I made recently, Burda 109 from the August 2021 issue. The problem here was length. I had added an inch when I made it but it was just too long. I wanted it to sit on my hip, so I tested a few lengths then made the chop & picked one! I like it much better even with just one inch of difference.

 And now I can wear all of these more comfortably knowing they are just right. 

Weekend Review: Creative Mending

 

Creative Mending / Hikaru Noguchi
Rutland, VT: Tuttle, c2022.
104 p.

One more Japanese mending book for this month's featured theme! I also found this one thanks to the library and it was really sweet to look through. Lots of photos, lots of repairs shown as examples of the different techniques on real items -- including a cat-scratched armchair. In fact there are lots of repairs made where it's noted that the damage came from cats chewing on fabric or playing with clothing ;)  

This book has a lot of solid content, some of it familiar from other books but some more intriguing as well. As with any Tuttle book, there are many clear and colourful photos to illustrate everything - this is pleasing just to flip through and look at them all. But it starts off with an intro to tools and threads then moves to four Basic Techniques: Goma-shio (basically seed stitch), Basket Darning (traditional weave) and two based on the buttonhole stitch, Honeycomb and Tambourine. Then examples for each. 

This is followed by seven sections on Advanced Techniques: Patching on top or from inside a garment, Repairing Damage to an Inseam, Underarm, or Edges, Darning using Wool Roving (ie: needlefelting) and Darning Large Holes. Each of these is a compound technique - they use the Basic Techniques and then apply it to the particular situation. She discusses small things to keep in mind, like inserting a finger darning stick into your gloves before stitching so they hold their shape, or using a long needle for larger holes so it's easier to pick up threads, or choosing fabric for patches that suits the garment,  especially for underarm mends. And this is all followed by some "darning samplers" -- more examples of how her techniques have been used on actual garments. I like the use of embroidery to cover stains, personally.

There is a lot of info and inspiration here, with the caveat that you have to share this aesthetic to really benefit from the many styles and examples. It is all Very Visible Mending, with colourful circles, either solid or radiating stitches, spread across the front of a shirt or jacket, or blocks of stitches covering ravelling edges, or "frankenstitches" (here really meaning they resemble Frankenstein's stitches) running up a seam or tear. I like the idea of patches, but I would have to tone it down a little for myself. I still enjoyed this one and particularly liked that she shares photos and info on many threads that can work for darning - I feel that sometimes people hesitate to start mending, thinking they need some special and unobtainable materials to begin. Not so! 

I've learned a lot from mending books this month but still have lots in my mending piles...thankfully nothing too bad that would need the kind of intensive care of the items in this book, though. This one is entertaining but best for those who love the idea of Visible Mending. 

Weekend Review: Mending with Love

Mending with Love / Noriko Misumi
trans. from the Japanese by Nancy Marsden
North Clarendon, VT: Tuttle, c2021.
88 p.

I read Misumi's first mending book, Joyful Mending, a while back and when I saw this one in my library I grabbed it. I enjoyed her first book and her approach to mending as a life skill. Plus Tuttle books are so nicely photographed and easy to read, I knew I'd find something interesting here. 

It's presented in five parts: 

• Intro- with her philosophy of mending and life
• Mending Socks
• Mending Stains, Holes and Frays
• Covering Stains with Stamps
• Remaking

It also includes nearly 15 pages of mending techniques at the end to help you accomplish the projects she shows throughout. 

I've read a fair number of mending books, but I did find some new approaches here. And as expected, it's lovely to look though. The projects are practical and attractive, and incorporate a variety of techniques, including more uncommon things like crochet or needle felting. There is even a section specifically on "mending the cat's mischief" ;) 

I like that she includes ways to cover or hide stains (embroidery, stamping etc) as well as just fixing obvious damage like holes or snags. It's maintaining a wardrobe (as well as household goods), not only mending in the traditional sense. And there is a cute addition at the end, with ideas for upcycling worn out things into household items -- it's brief, but includes making trivets, potholders and towels from old tshirts or wool sweaters. Handy ideas. Overall a really cute book with some fun ideas and a nice aesthetic, especially if you are a fan of Japanese sewing books in general.

Weekend Review: Mending With Kids

 

Mending with Kids / Nami Levy
trans. from the Japanese by Nancy Marsden
North Clarendon, VT/ Tokyo: Tuttle, c2023.
88 p.

I found this cute book via my library -- but I have to say I was a bit sceptical when I first saw it. Having young kids do mending? Is it possible with their motor skills? But this book convinced me. It's well laid out, with the techniques which kids could do clearly identified, and which steps they might take on in more complicated mends. 

The book starts with a section called "Hints and Warnings for Mending with Kids" and this addresses all the concerns you might have when picking up this book. She discusses sharp objects, irons and things like that, giving tips on managing them and which parts only an adult should do. But there is also a nod to the fact that different parts of the world have different expectations of "child safety" and what kids can do, with an example of how the Netherlands doesn't fence off water areas, rather they teach children to swim to prepare for any accidents. Interesting discussion! 

Anyhow, on to the mending. I loved the way this book was laid out, with tons of illustrations, many using the two children I'm assuming are the author's. The first bit of the book is aimed at mending WITH kids. It starts out with simple ideas, like stamping over stains with eraser stamps or paper stencils, then goes on to simple patches made with felt shapes, or scrap fabrics that kids can draw on. She even shows an older child using some needle felting techniques (with finger guards, and an adult's help). In the second section of the book, she aims things more at mending FOR kids. There are examples of darning socks and tights, or using embroidery in fun ways like making a hole into an eyelet feature with a larger surrounding motif to make into a cool design feature. There are also some invisible mending tips if you don't want to show it off. And there are cool ideas to fix frayed cuffs with binding, or to fix worn knees and make pants longer at the same time with inserted bands -- keep them wearing their favourites for longer! 

I found some new ideas in here, especially the idea of mending tights. Love it! It's a short book but really clear and it communicates both the why and how clearly. The images are bright and informative, and the whole book is just a lovely read. It would be great for families wanting to live more sustainably. 

Whittling away at the Mending Pile!

During MeMadeMay this year, one of my goals was to work on the pile of mending in my sewing room and decide whether to fix and wear or give away all the items languishing there. I got a few pieces done during May, and have been able to get a couple more back into the wardrobe this month. 

I made a quick repair of a red linen blouse -- the Ruffle Sleeve Top by In the Folds for Peppermint Magazine. This has been in the mending stack for a while, and yet the mending only took about 15 minutes. I had a small hole on the seam of the interior facing to stitch up, to start. And I had finished the edges of the facing by turning under and stitching, but with this very lightweight linen, I didn't like it -- it added bulk across the edge of the facing that could be seen as a line from the outside. 

So I made a line of straight stitch about 1/2" above the original edge, added a line of narrow zigzag just beside it, and trimmed off the original clunky hem with my pinking shears. I figure that one of those will keep it from fraying! And now it looks so much better that I've already worn it this week. 

The second project was another thing I've been putting off because it felt like so much work...but it really wasn't much! I made this rayon Burda in 2021 but after a few wears I felt that the elastic waist casing was starting to go.

It was still wearable but didn't feel too reliable. This pattern used the technique where you stitch together the seam allowances of the waist seam and use that for the casing, but with a lightweight rayon like this I find that unless you have a large seam allowance it starts to fray and pull out. So I trimmed the fraying edge, pressed the remaining seam allowance flat, and stitched a wide bias binding strip over the waistline seam. 

I then threaded elastic back in to the new casing and stitched the hole closed. Now it feels secure and sits nicely at the waist, and I won't have to worry about the elastic popping out anytime soon! 

I have a couple more blouse hems and sleeves to work on, as well as a few skirts. They are all minor fixes but are all necessary to make the items wearable again. I hope to keep working away at the pile and catch up through the summer. We'll see how it goes! 

Skirt Repair for Continued Wear

Happy Vyshyvanka Day! 
Mine worn with my re-hemmed red skirt

I've had a number of skirts sitting in my mending pile for a while now. This MeMadeMay I decided that I'd focus on looking at my wardrobe, seeing what I enjoy wearing, and also fix some of those pieces that are patiently waiting to be worn again! 

The skirts I've worked on all had minor issues - needing to be rehemmed, bottoms of zips fixed, etc. Nothing hugely construction heavy. And yet they were all languishing. So I grabbed a few of the easy ones and got to work! 

First was this grey skirt from the famed Vogue 1247. The fabric around the zip was weakening slightly, and it wasn't very invisible to begin with - it's an early make. So I simply restitched it closer to the zipper tape to make it more invisible and to reinforce that pulled fabric. It worked just great. 

Before

After

Then I shortened a red knit skirt that I made last year - it's just the wrong length, both too long and too short to be either effectively! So I cut off the current hem and just folded it up again so that it sits at the knee rather than under it. I like this much better. 

Too long and too short and the same time!

Cutting off an inch

I haven't worn this black and white skirt, Simplicity 4236, much since making it in 2014. I put a pocket into one side but it never sits properly. Even though I am staunchly behind adding pockets to everything, this one just doesn't work, so I gritted my teeth and removed this one! It does lie much more smoothly across the hip now, and I think I may wear it again! 

Original

Depocketed!

I still have to shorten and narrow this blue skirt slightly (also a Vogue 1247) 

and make the walking slit in this magenta skirt much longer (and add a modesty panel at the same time - I saw a recent tutorial on adding a Dior pleat to a skirt, and I'll be adapting that here.)

But those are a little more involved so will take a bit longer -- still planning on having them done by the end of MeMadeMay though! 

Weekend Review: Make, Sew & Mend

Make, Sew and Mend / Bernadette Banner 
Salem, MA: Page Street Publishing, c2022
200 p.

This is a new book by the popular historical sewist/blogger Bernadette Banner. I must admit I haven't really followed her closely in the past, as hand sewing and historical costuming isn't my main area of interest. But I have certainly heard about her. So when this book showed up in my library, I had to check it out! The subtitle also caught my attention: traditional techniques to sustainably maintain and refashion your clothes. 

The book is set out in sections: Preparing Materials (fiber, cutting, pinning etc); Stitches (lots of hand stitch examples and how and when to use them); Applications (seams finishing, pressing, buttons, extras like pleats & insertions); Practical Alterations (adding pockets or sleeve gussets, hemming -- this is the entirety of the 'refashion' bits); and Care & Feeding (mending). In between these section are 5 different page long features on other sewists -- there is a range of people profiled, although all are quite young. I appreciated the attempt to widen the visibility of the sewing world, but the profiles didn't really seem to fit with the focus of the rest of the book, even if a couple did sew vintage and/or traditional clothing.

There wasn't anything here that was new to me, but it was nice to see some of the more detailed handwork talked about. And the discussion of the 'extras', including buttons and tucks, was interesting.

I thought it was a lovely book to look at, and will certainly appeal to fans of Bernadette Banner. I wouldn't recommend it to beginners, as the focus on hand sewing techniques, finishings and detail work are more likely to be of use to those who are already familiar with sewing and want to add some techniques and skills to their repertoire. Younger people who are getting into sewing via refashioning thrift finds would be better served by other titles, as this one, despite the subtitle, doesn't really go in that direction. It's a quieter and more detailed read, and sewists wanting to move toward slower sewing might really like it. 

Weekend Review: Mending Life

 

Mending Life: a Handbook for repairing clothes and hearts /
Nina and Sonya Montenegro 
Seattle: Sasquatch Books, c2020
194 p.

This week's book is another mending instructional. But this is a bit different from some of the other mending books I've read, because it started out as a zine. It still has the quiet, intimate feel of a zine, with many pages just a gentle illustration alongside some musings about the power of mending as a larger metaphor. 

But it still has practical instructions for mending, as well. There are sections on darning and patching, highlighting many of the visible mending techniques familiar to us all by now. Sashiko, needle felting and various patching is all there. But there is also a great illustration of Swiss darning -- the technique of duplicating a knit stitch invisibly is very well shown here.

There are also bits shared by other experts, like how to mend a down jacket, or zipper repair. And the final section is about "beyond mending" -- things like button replacements, taking in garments for better fit, adding pockets to hide holes or stains, or even using old clothing for other patchwork or household items. This is an unusual element in mending books that I've seen, and it's a nice addition. 

The tone of this book is gentle and encouraging, and the style is very homey. I was quite taken with it! A charming and useful book, I think. 

Weekend Review: Wear, Repair, Repurpose

 

Wear, Repair, Repurpose / Lily Fulop
NY: Countryman Press, c2020
160 p.

This cute little book about mending was published last year, alongside a bunch of other mending books now that it's becoming a trend. But this one is a fun one by a young instagrammer (@mindful_mending) and is clearly aimed at those really new to the idea. 

It has sections on visible mending, darning, patching, basics like sewing on a button or repairing a split seam, and starts with an overview of techniques (including standard embroidery stitches) and basic tools needed. It's clear, simple, and not overwhelming for someone totally new to the sewing world. The layout is also good -- attractively designed, with coloured text blocks and good illustrations and clear photos. The images aren't necessarily gorgeous and styled but I like them more for their everydayness. 

The second section of the book is more about repurposing/upcycling. This is more unusual, and it's fun. She covers projects like rag rugs, patchwork pillows, applique, knitting/crocheting and even latch hooking. This section starts by showing readers how to make t-shirt yarn out of worn out clothes and then use them for these projects. A bath mat from latch hooked t-shirt yarn sounds really great, actually - very washable and so soft on the feet! There are also tiny projects like how to use t-shirt yarn to make pompoms and tassels, and she recommends checking online for more ideas and techniques too. 

It's a very relaxed book, with a casual, friendly tone, and will probably appeal to those new to the concept of remaking and mending. There is discussion of sustainability and fast fashion, and how the author came to this field, and that also adds to the appeal of the book. If you already sew or have read a lot in this area there'll be not much new to add here -- this is a basic intro for younger beginners. It's not an in-depth hand-holding instructional, rather it's more of an overview and an introduction to possibilities for mending and upcycling and why you should care about it. I found it a quick read with some interesting content!

Weekend Review: Loved Clothes Last

 

Loved Clothes Last / Orsola de Castro
Dublin: Penguin Life, c2021
263 p.

I was really interested in checking out this book when I first heard of it, as the author is a known name in the fashion world, being a founder of Fashion Revolution, an organization that is doing a lot of good in the push for more transparent and equitable fashion across the world. 

It's a collection of essays on a variety of topics to do with reducing one's dependence on fast fashion as it currently exists. This could be a strength, but unfortunately it felt quite disjointed to me, and aimed at a bunch of different audiences. Anyone interested in this topic will already know most of the information in this book, which has fast fashion facts, ideas for mending and fixing minor problems with one's clothes (definitely basic knowledge for sewists), overdyeing, explaining garment care tags, and some social history/history of fabrics. You can probably tell from this list that the topics are jumbled up, and the book design doesn't help with clarity either -- the print is often small, there are lots of sketches and images -- the layout feels like a zine to me in some ways. It's a little frenetic. 

Perhaps if you have started following Fashion Revolution and you don't know much about the issues with the fashion industry, and you don't sew so the idea of caring for your cheap clothes is new to you, this book could be an eye-opener. It might appeal to a younger crowd who isn't already focused on these areas or those who don't automatically fix everything anyhow. 

It's a real shame that this book feels very quickly pulled together, with some factual errors as well (some of these are noted in the reviews on Goodreads). I thought the sewing instruction bits were the strongest, but de Castro doesn't really sew -- these sections were put together by her daughter Elisalex of ByHandLondon. Which may explain why they are knowledgeable! 

I was disappointed because I really love the Fashion Revolution site and all that they do. I like to participate in Fashion Revolution Week and draw attention to the need for fair wages and treatment for garment workers and more environmental responsibility. So I won't write off the organization simply because this book isn't all I hoped it would be. But I'd recommend following the website and its activities over this book if you are interested in these subjects. Assuming that most of my readers are sewists and already aware of issues with fast fashion, you can skip this book without missing much. If you are interested in finding out a little more about the content, though, definitely check out this very thorough review with highlights, by reader Katrina Sark on Goodreads. 

McCalls 4591, Redux

In my recent post on the McCalls 4591 blouse, I mentioned a few issues I had with it. The primary problem was that the front bow was too heavy in this cotton fabric -- even though it's a lawn, it's just too heavy and stiff. Something with drape will probably work better with this pattern. As I often say when watching the Great British Sewing Bee, success often comes down to fabric choice. And this wasn't quite the right choice here! 

The other issue I have with this pattern is that the V neckline is far too low for my tastes. But if I shortened it between bust and shoulder like I often do, the seamline between top and bottom would sit right across the bust. So I had to come up with another solution.

Fortunately, there was a solution that seemed to fix both problems in one go! I untied the bow and crossed the extensions over one another, tucked inside the blouse. I pinned them down so that they formed a nice V line inside the existing neckline. Then I stitched the crossover seam down, and also across the line where the extensions crossed behind the seamline that runs across the blouse. Had to be careful to pin there so that no interior fabric was folded or bunched up at the seamline! 

After that I simply trimmed the extensions off from the inside using my pinking shears as a quick snip and finish.

It works pretty well, gathering at the front with a bit of a starburst effect, and definitely fills in the low neckline sufficiently.  I still don't think it's my favourite effort ever, but I do like this very pretty, lightweight summer fabric and think I'll probably get some wear out of it. Probably not with this skirt though, I don't think the silhouettes really go together, despite both being in my Summer Capsule plans. Oh well, learning opportunity! I still have another blouse to finish off before my Summer Capsule is done -- instead of making another pair of linen pants for the 6th piece, I've decided to go with a RTW capri that I already own and wear a lot. 

It's been an interesting exercise to try to put together a wardrobe of sorts, but I think I've confirmed to myself that I prefer dresses -- lots of one offs, and a complete outfit in one go! And that I like my sewing to be mostly mood driven. But I also always like a new learning challenge. And I have taken on another one...more on that later.

Weekend Review: Joyful Mending

 

Joyful Mending / Noriko Misumi
Tokyo: Tuttle, 2020.
88 p.

This is another mending book, but one with a very Japanese aesthetic. It's charming, quirky, and has a definite slant toward the visible mending end of the spectrum.

It's a short book but quite cleverly put together, with lots of ideas to inspire. The author started out running a "mending consultation booth" in real life and this book is structured around that concept, which is adorable and fun. Each technique features an "advice seeker" at the top of the page, a customer who has a valued item of clothing and needs mending help. The relevant technique is then demonstrated on that item. I think this adds a lot of personality and charm to the book, and shows how these mending interventions really matter to real people. 

The techniques covered include basic darning of square, circular or larger rectangular holes/stains, as well as the use of needle felting to mend woolens. This last technique can be nearly invisible for those who prefer subtlety, or in one case, a variety of colours to add a polka dot flair to a wool scarf. 

There are examples of embroidery to cover stains and embellish further, or basic edge stitching for heavier items like rugs or bags. I found some unique ideas in her use of crocheted mini-pockets or patches to add to the look of an item by covering a stain and adding a useful pocket too! The basic crochet techniques are included in the last part of the book which covers all the necessary embroidery and darning techniques as well. 

She also uses patchwork for coverage, and one neat way is folding a circle or square in half around the edge of a collar, cuff, or hem in the spots that are most likely to wear out, and then covering the patch with some running stitch. It's cute and reinforces those frayed edges. Adding more where they are not strictly necessary can add a more aesthetic effect as well. She even mentions rug hooking techniques as a potential addition to hats or bags if you want a textured look. Lots of ideas, and many, many cute illustrations as well as extensive and clear process photos. 

This book is quite charming but also practical in its inclusion of some more unexpected ways of mending and making do. The inclusion of the stories of both the author and her "advice seekers" adds a lot of personality. Really enjoyable book on this topic. 

Weekend Review: Mend It, Wear It, Love It!

 

Mend It, Wear It, Love It! / Zoe Edwards
New York: DK, c2021.
143 p.

Coming on the heels of Me Made May, I was able to get my hands on this new book written by its founder Zoe Edwards, of SoZo What Do You Know? 

It's another entry into the very hot topic of mending. But this one is a little different, as the first section is on mending, the second on alterations and simple additions to make your clothes more wearable, and the third is on laundry, storage, dyeing and embroidery. So there's a lot to this one. 

It is a fairly small size, and doesn't have a lot of photographs, just a couple here and there. Most the many illustrations are drawings showing the different techniques. But I think it's a nice compact size with lots of good info, and would be especially good for a beginner who doesn't have a ton of sewing knowledge (as well as being interesting for those of us who do). 

The mending section covers both invisible and visible mending, sewing on buttons and fixing buttonholes, patches, zipper fixes, and basic sewing info to begin. It also points out that taking your clothes to someone who does alterations as a business is a viable option, especially for more challenging fixes like some zipper issues. I think that's something that people new to mending might not realize -- you don't have to do it all yourself. 

I really like the addition of a section on alterations you can use to make a little worn piece more 'you'. It includes instructions on waist darts, shaping seams, adding patch pockets (good for hiding stains, too), adding a ruffle to lengthen something or hemming it to shorten it, removing sleeves or adding elastic to hems and cuffs to change the look. Lots of quick ideas for ways to customize and better fit your RTW clothes, for sure. I think this would encourage people to look at their garments more creatively before just getting rid of them. Sewists, of course, do this constantly!

And the final section on loving your clothes has some good tips on general care -- washing, drying, storing -- as well as ideas for more advanced mending ideas like overdyeing or embroidering over stains and weak spots. The last two can also just be used to perk up something old rather than tossing it. There are just a couple pages each on these topics though, so it's more like an introduction to the concept, and then if a reader is interested, they can easily find a whole book on these subjects to further explore the potential. 

This is a small book, so it's not image heavy, and not comprehensive. But that means it's also not overwhelming for beginners, and has solid info laid out nicely. It's small enough to keep in a sewing kit if someone is just beginning to gather their supplies, and has a laid back and encouraging tone throughout. I enjoyed exploring it. 

A Simple Mend

I have a favourite black cardigan that I bought years ago -- it gets heavy usage! Just this week I noticed that there was a run in the knit right close to the pocket. Not surprisingly, since that the area that is most handled, plus at the level to catch on things.

Thankfully, I'd just finished Mend by Kate Sekules when I noticed this. So I tried out some of the ideas she shared in her book, and mended my favourite black cardie to wear another day. I didn't use any of the colourful visible mending techniques, I just wanted this one to patch the run so it didn't grow, and so I could wear this black topper with everything, as always. 

So I just used some DMC 310, basic black, 3 strands, and gave this a basic darning mend. I think it turned out pretty good, and will let me continue wearing this without causing more damage. It's more of a weave than a knit mend, but it's nice and secure and fairly unobtrusive. I'm pleased with it! 

The success of this basic mend also inspired me to finally do a very fast mend of the lining in my winter jacket, which had split at the shoulder seam. It just needed the seam stitched back together for about 2". Why did I put it off for a whole season? No idea! Anyhow, done now, and another mend satisfactorily off my mind. 

Hopefully this trend of fixing things before it's too late will continue around these parts... ;)