Advice on mending thick tights

BachSoon

Hi :j

2 of my 3 pairs of tights have gained holes in as many days there's no money in the budget for replacing. I was hoping that these 3 would do me through winter for work . One pair I plan to mend, because the hole is on the toe so I'm not too fussed about that one and I'll definitely mend that pair. The other pair has a hole and a small ladder in each direction of the hole. It's on the ankle so will definitely make sure that my repair goes on the inside. Any advice for making a repair as discreet as possible before I just "have a go"?? Generally my mending tends to be seams or under arms!

Thank you in advance.:o

annie_d

I darn....can you youtube such a thing?

tooties

Maybe use thread the same colour and attempt small darns, i don't think it will be too noticeable.

Or wear boots hth

Brambleberry

If repairs are impossible or ineffective, cut off the offending leg at the top of the thigh where the knit changes - keep the whole of the top part attached and wear with another single leg from another pair cut the same way. It helps to eke out a bad job for a little bit longer.


Added bonus - warmer and more tummy slimming than a single pair of tights!

meritaten

sounds stupid - but 'Hair'. human hair makes the best invisible mends. so if you know someone with long hair..........beg a strand to mend your tights. Thick tights usually look 'knitted'. you can mend by going through each loop on the bottom then through the one at the top, then the bottom.............and so on. Failing human hair, then polyester thread will do the job.

Evil_Olive

As you hoped that 3 pairs would see you through the winter, I'm guessing you're talking about the very thick woolly knitted or thick opaque cotton or nylon type?
Darning tights is problematic at best, so I cheat with the thick ones.

I turn 'em inside out, fold the tights with the fold line down the middle of the hole lengthwise, or in the same direction as the ladder if there is one and stitch a plain or backstitch line around the outside with ordinary sewing cotton about 1/2 a cm away from the edges of the hole/ladder, making a long leaf shape that tapers off very gradually at each end to avoid lumps.

On thick tights it hardly shows if you make the tapers as long & pointy as possible. On very stretchy tights I've done it with the sewing machine and a very tiny zigzag stitch to avoid pulling.

This also sort of works with thinner tights (I've done it when desperate) but the mend shows a bit on the right side and you have to paint the edges with clear nail varnish to stop frayage/further laddering which can be scratchy.

Sorry about the awful drawing - I cobbled it together just now in 'Paint'...... looks a bit rude............ :whistle:

BachSoon

Evil_Olive wrote: »

As you hoped that 3 pairs would see you through the winter, I'm guessing you're talking about the very thick woolly knitted or thick opaque cotton or nylon type?
Darning tights is problematic at best, so I cheat with the thick ones.

I turn 'em inside out, fold the tights with the fold line down the middle of the hole lengthwise, or in the same direction as the ladder if there is one and stitch a plain or backstitch line around the outside with ordinary sewing cotton about 1/2 a cm away from the edges of the hole/ladder, making a long leaf shape that tapers off very gradually at each end to avoid lumps.

On thick tights it hardly shows if you make the tapers as long & pointy as possible. On very stretchy tights I've done it with the sewing machine and a very tiny zigzag stitch to avoid pulling.

This also sort of works with thinner tights (I've done it when desperate) but the mend shows a bit on the right side and you have to paint the edges with clear nail varnish to stop frayage/further laddering which can be scratchy.

Sorry about the awful drawing - I cobbled it together just now in 'Paint'...... looks a bit rude............ :whistle:

This is fabulous, thank you so much very clear explanation.

Tooties - thanks for your suggestion! I'm yet to learn darning, a very useful skill to acquire admittedly! I don't have boots, my work shoes are ballet flats unfortunately!

allybee101

I will have to learn about darning, but I live by the clear nail polish trick to stop the ladder getting any worse.
Love brambleberry's tip to salvage two pairs of laddered tights!

If they're black tights and the ladder is visible then you could also try a camouflage trick with a permanent marker as a temporary 'tattoo'?