Preparing for Winter V

C_J

That's brilliant @Laura_Elsewhere!!

MrsCD

@Laura_Elsewhere, please could I ask your advice? DH has a really good shirt which has a frayed cuff right on the edge, probably due to his watch! I've trimmed the threads to make it look better but I'm at a loss to know how to fix it without reducing the length of the cuff. I thought of unpicking the stitching and turning in the ends but that would lose half an inch or so off the length. Any ideas?

Laura_Elsewhere

MrsCD said:

@Laura_Elsewhere, please could I ask your advice? DH has a really good shirt which has a frayed cuff right on the edge, probably due to his watch! I've trimmed the threads to make it look better but I'm at a loss to know how to fix it without reducing the length of the cuff. I thought of unpicking the stitching and turning in the ends but that would lose half an inch or so off the length. Any ideas?

If it's a shirt worth the work, then the only thing I can suggest is what my Mum used to do for Dad's shirt-collars when the fold-line on the collar wore through - unpick the cuff to remove it, then literally unpick the whole cuff, turn it so the inside of the fabric is outside and re-stitch it, so what was the inside-layer of fabric is now outside and vice versa.

If the fabric's worn right through that won't work of course, but you could try unpicking the edge as you describe, unfold the edges and press lightly through a damp cloth, then add a layer of some strong-weave neutral-coloured stuff like linen (the still-strong edges of an old worn-out linen tea-towel are ideal!) and tack it lightly into place on the inside of the cuff, re-assemble and re-stitch through all the layers of cuff-linen-linen-cuff, before removing he tacking stitches... That way you are reinforcing it but from behind, rather than by patching over the top. 

Either of those any good? 

Primrose

Or if none of these ideas work, although it would require more effort and skill, make a new set of shirt cuffs from some other material which either matches or contrasts with any the pattern of material on the original shirt.

Laura_Elsewhere

Primrose said:

Or if none of these ideas work, although it would require more effort and skill, make a new set of shirt cuffs from some other material which either matches or contrasts with any the pattern of material on the original shirt.

Yes, a very tiny print often looks great as contrast, and if you do something like lining the collar-band then it all looks very deliberate! 

maryb

I have some 15 year old Lands End cotton shirts which are uncomfortably tight over the bust but fit well on the shoulders.  They are such nice fabric that I couldn't bring myself to throw them out.  I bought some quilting fabric in a toning shade with a small pattern and added a strip each side from the underarm to the hem. They now fit very comfortably.  It looks OK but in general I wear them under a jumper anyway so it doesn't really matter.  But if I added a pocket and collar band in the same print I would be very happy to have the alteration on show.  Maybe when I have the time

Uniscots97

maryb said:

I have some 15 year old Lands End cotton shirts which are uncomfortably tight over the bust but fit well on the shoulders.  They are such nice fabric that I couldn't bring myself to throw them out.  I bought some quilting fabric in a toning shade with a small pattern and added a strip each side from the underarm to the hem. They now fit very comfortably.  It looks OK but in general I wear them under a jumper anyway so it doesn't really matter.  But if I added a pocket and collar band in the same print I would be very happy to have the alteration on show.  Maybe when I have the time

They sound lovely and why waste something if they're still perfectly good

MrsCD

Laura_Elsewhere said:

MrsCD said:

@Laura_Elsewhere, please could I ask your advice? DH has a really good shirt which has a frayed cuff right on the edge, probably due to his watch! I've trimmed the threads to make it look better but I'm at a loss to know how to fix it without reducing the length of the cuff. I thought of unpicking the stitching and turning in the ends but that would lose half an inch or so off the length. Any ideas?

If it's a shirt worth the work, then the only thing I can suggest is what my Mum used to do for Dad's shirt-collars when the fold-line on the collar wore through - unpick the cuff to remove it, then literally unpick the whole cuff, turn it so the inside of the fabric is outside and re-stitch it, so what was the inside-layer of fabric is now outside and vice versa.

If the fabric's worn right through that won't work of course, but you could try unpicking the edge as you describe, unfold the edges and press lightly through a damp cloth, then add a layer of some strong-weave neutral-coloured stuff like linen (the still-strong edges of an old worn-out linen tea-towel are ideal!) and tack it lightly into place on the inside of the cuff, re-assemble and re-stitch through all the layers of cuff-linen-linen-cuff, before removing he tacking stitches... That way you are reinforcing it but from behind, rather than by patching over the top. 

Either of those any good? 

Thanks, @Laura_Elsewhere. I think I'll try unpicking the edge and see if I can turn a fine hem without taking too much off the length, although reinforcing it would be a good idea. Wish me luck...

Laura_Elsewhere

maryb said:

I have some 15 year old Lands End cotton shirts which are uncomfortably tight over the bust but fit well on the shoulders.  They are such nice fabric that I couldn't bring myself to throw them out.  I bought some quilting fabric in a toning shade with a small pattern and added a strip each side from the underarm to the hem. They now fit very comfortably.  It looks OK but in general I wear them under a jumper anyway so it doesn't really matter.  But if I added a pocket and collar band in the same print I would be very happy to have the alteration on show.  Maybe when I have the time

I have a couple of nice shirts which button up a bit tight but are skin-tight on my arms - I'm fond of shorter sleeves, even in cold weather with jumpers and cardigans, so I have cut off the sleeves leaving a cap-sleeve, and then the sleeve-fabric is just enough to add a strip down each side-seam, giving me comfortable cap-sleeve shirts... useful for those of us who have expanded over the years! 

maryb

I’ve just noticed we’re on the Preparing for Winter thread.  This is like the discussions we have on the Fashion on the Ration thread,I quite thought I was there!

But it has actually been one of my preparations for this winter so that I have room to wear another layer.  Layers are warm!