Embroidery Repair
with
Seljak Brand
In this workshop Karina Seljak demonstrates how to repair rips, holes, or stains using an embroidery style that allows you to flex your creative muscles.
Materials
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Small piece of material for a patch. Choose a woven or non-stretchy material to create a stable repair
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Two embroidery threads that look good together and complement your blanket. Karina uses a four-ply embroidery yarn
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Embroidery needle
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Measuring tape
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Fabric scissors
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Pins
METHOD
Embroidery repair
You can use this technique for other textiles in your life.
This approach means you have a wardrobe that’s more likely to last, and there are creative elements unique to you.
Assess the damage.
Lay your blanket out
Karina uses an even surface to lay out the blanket to ensure my measurements are accurate.
You can even hold the blanket up to a light source to check you’re not missing any holes.
Map out the hole
Use your pins to help map out the hole, how big your patch will be, and how you want to stitch it.
Plan your repair
Consider what shapes would best cover it.
Look at the shape of the hole and consider what shapes would best cover it.
For many holes, circular shapes suit, but a tear might inspire more of a rectangle or oval. For this repair, a circle is used.
Make sure your patch stitch extends past the hole at least 1cm
To cover the holes, we plan to make a round of stitches about 1/1.5cm long, stitching back and forth perpendicular to the patch edge.
Plan creatively!
Once you know what you need to do functionally to repair your blanket, you can think about what you want to do creatively.
It’s useful to grab a notebook and sketch out potential shapes you might want to do and how the stitches would help build the shape.
If you wanted to do flowers or leaves, for instance, you can consider using different colours and stitch directions too.
With more defined and intentional shape, it could be worth using fabric marking chalk, or your pins, to map out the shape on the fabric so it doesn’t morph too much as you work.
In this repair, a secondary round of stitches will be added to create a kind of shadow to the design.
Start stitching
Start on the side that would be considered the back of your blanket
Make a knot at the end of your thread and start on the side that would be considered the back of your blanket.
Of course, blankets are seen on both sides so this technique is designed to look similar on the other side, with knots hidden as well as possible.
You can opt to do a double sided patch if you prefer to also cover the other side.
Stitch back and forth perpendicular to the tear
Using the patch as a guide, and stitching over the holes themselves.
If you were doing a double sided patch, you wouldn’t have to worry about stitching over the holes themselves because the patch would enclose them.
Tie a hidden knot to finish the first colour
Add in additional colours
Following the first shape, stitch into the negative space.
Stitch into the negative space created by each stitch and in up to 1/2cm to add a kind of shadow, or highlight depending on the colour you choose, to your work. This will also strengthen your repair.
Create a hidden 'knot'
After you’ve finished your stitching, create a hidden ‘knot’ by stitching the blanket carefully in the same place underneath your final stitch 3 to 4 times and cut the thread.
And voila! That’s your embroidery complete.
TIP You can use this same technique on clothing and other home textiles, using a one- or two-sided patch.