A "hole" lot of trouble

I am so happy my mother taught me how to sew as a child.  It's great that I can alter, shorten and mend just about everything I own.  It's so much cheaper than buying new!

My favorite white blouse has a hole in it.  It's a tissue thin white sleeveless button down with tone on tone embroidery.  I decided to find a way to revive my blouse so I can wear it in this crazy Texas heat!

Fixed Hole Blouse

Materials:

Torn item of clothing
Coordinating thread/needle
Sewing machine (optional)
Lace trim in a coordinating color
Scissors
Iron (optional)
Straight pins




This is the perfect summer blouse



I wear it often and have had it for years, which of course, has led to some general wear and tear.

Very obvious hole right in the front

I began by taking some white thread and hand stitching the hole shut, from backside of the shirt.  This isn't a perfect fix, as it caused the shirt to pucker a bit where the stiches were.  However, I didn't want the hole to get any larger.

Next, I took some flat white lace, I used Wright's 1-3/4" Flexi-lace hem tape in white.  It's pretty inexpensive and very easy to work with.  I layed the hemtape vertically on the front of my shirt, covering the hole.  Since I had a seam to work with I was able to line it up with that to get it straight.  If you don't have a seam, use a straight edge or a level to ensure your lace is straight.



Pin the lace in place


Even though there was no hole on the other side of my shirt, I wanted it to match so I pinned the same size of lace running down the other side as well.  trim the top and bottom of the lace where you'd like it to end.  I pinned the lace starting just below the shoulder, where my shirt had an embroidered pattern, all the way to the bottom.  There's no need to fold the lace under or use any type of anti-fray solution as the lace will hold up pretty well.

Now I simply stiched a straight stitch with my sewing machine in coordinating thread about 1/4" inside the edge of the lace, all the way around the bottom and back up the other side. 

Looks like it was meant to be there!

Now I simply washed the shirt on the normal cycle and lightly ironed the lace (check package directions before washing.) 

Tada!

I've rescued my favorite summer blouse!  This technique can be used on a multitude of items.  If you don't like lace, try adding embroidered patches, buttons or other scraps of fabric that jazz up your clothes.