While I was working I heard a familiar sound. It’s a sound of my pants getting rip; my phone was caught into something causing the pocket to break apart.
Just like the old days of my childhood.
It used to happen to all of my shorts when I was a kid playing patintero or tumbang preso with other kids.
My mother used to sew my ripped shorts. Now, I can fix it with the skills I picked up in Home Economics class wherein I learned to sew by hand.
The Solution
Fortunately, I have all the materials I needed: thread, needle, scissor, and fabric.
Tip: When in a hotel, check if there is a sewing kit that you can take. I’m sure that it’s allowed but you have to ask when it comes to slippers or fluffy flip flops.
When we checked in at Sofitel on mother’s day, we found a sewing kit without scissor. (Sidetrack: My sibling and I also went to Cambodia and I had a mix of pleasant and unpleasant experience on my vacation in the Philippines after becoming a dual citizen.)
Here’s how I mend my broken pocket of heart. (I know it doesn’t make sense but I like the sound of it.)
The damage isn’t that huge. A few stitches here and there and it will look decent from afar.
This pants is meant to be given away but before I send it off, I took out one of the pockets to cut a small square to patch up the pocket from my work pants. Wait. A pocket helping out another pocket.
As you can see, there’s nothing fancy on how I stitched the fabric onto my pants. So you can do it also.
Presenting the mended pants. Isn’t it sturdy enough not to break apart for a long time.
Let’s not talk about aesthetic. Functionality is more important.
I told my mother about my accomplishment and was happy with it. She used to sew for a living before getting married; I wouldn’t be as prolific as her (she can even knit) but glad that at least one of her offspring can sew.
Benefits of Sewing
I believe that everyone should learn how to sew. It’s like a passage to adulthood.
If you can learn how to wash dishes and do the laundry then might as well add sewing in your grown-up skill.
Save tons of money. I can’t count how many times I save a lot of moola by mending my clothes or bag.
My winter coat is holding up for five or six years. Quality, indeed, comes with a high cost. Its hand pocket fell apart. So with a huge needle I sew it and made it look good as new. (I can’t say that about my ripped pants.)
Then there’s also my bag’s zipper that I fixed. I gave my bag away by sending it through a balikbayan box in the Philippines. Another person can enjoy and make use of it.
My pyjamas (all given as gifts) are way too long so I did basting to hold in place folded ends.
A trip to a tailoring shop would cost $10 for a pants trim. My friend found a free sewing machine and repair her own pants. At least I have someone to ask for help when a task requires more than my simple sewing kit.
Reduce waste. I think that becoming a minimalist goes hand in hand in living zero waste. As I become more intentional of what I bring into my life, I also reduce waste by not buying things that wouldn’t last for a long time or repairing stuff instead of buying a replacement.
I tend to use things till it is worn out. Fix it whenever necessary especially if it’s a favourite item. And unconsciously forget that someday it has to retire.
My goal is to buy sustainable products while I use what I already have till it’s time to buy a replacement.
Stitch for fun. These days, I only use a needle whenever I have to mend or poke something.
I have forgotten how fun it is to sew.
Cross stitching was fun. I enjoyed doing my Home Economics projects, redoing it to my hearts desire.
Maybe someday, I can make projects like what I saw on HGTV as a kid like pillow sheets, curtain, and table cover.
Have I convince you to start learning how to sew? I hope you give it a try or know someone who can help you out with a ripped pants.
How to Learn to Sew
It’s easier to learn how to sew through YouTube (I was able to change a wiper on my car) and online courses.
If you are in the Philippines and have time, why not enroll in a TESDA dressmaking class.
It’s free. You’ll learn how to make a pattern, cut fabric, and sew using a sewing machine.
In that course, I was able to make school uniform, pants, skirt, dress, T-shirt, short, pockets, and collars. I gave away most of my projects and only use shorts. My sibling got to own two shorts that I made.
Final Thoughts
It’s fun to sew. Others might not like it. But such simple skill is without a doubt would come in handy when it comes to simple repair like my ripped pants.
Keep a sewing kit at your place and use it before running to the store to buy something new.
When was the last time you sew something?
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