Visible Mending on a Vintage Nightgown to Fix Worn-out Fabric and Holes - My

[@Evelyn__Wood]

I hope you enjoyed taking this peek into my attempt of decorative mending on this one! What do you think? Would you try something like this? Also, are you joining in on Monday Mending? If so, tell me below what you have/are going to mend?

[@billiebluesheepie2907]

Evelyn Wood - it reminds me of kantha quilting or boro. I really like your old mends being there as it shows the love/history of your garment. (I’m a ‘mend it before it goes in the wash’ kind of person! - this week holes in knees, again!)

[@Evelyn__Wood]

😅 yes never a short supply of holes in knees!!

[@JehanineMelmoth]

Mending underwear this week! I won’t post photos - no one needs to see that!

[@Chantilly871]

I love this mend! Turned out so pretty ❤

[@kscheuerman5378]

Evelyn, I originally started altering thrift clothes and mending became a part of that. I am 57 now, & this last February I mended a stack of clothes everyday for a solid month. Due to all this hand sewing I developed something called Trigger finger, where affected finger very painfully locks. It is a chronic injury which makes doing everything now very difficult. I can not afford therapy or surgery right now. Hand sewing is the only way to accomplish the mending task!!

[@blakesby]

Repair work as a decorative element is basically what Japanese boro and sashiko is all about. 👌

[@djhbdancer]

I have favorite ceramic pieces I intend to fix with kintsugi!

[@MisterFiddle]

Mending is fun. My grandkids bring me their plush toys for mending, and I do a performance concerned with performing an “operation”, always requiring an assistant. It’s very serious business and the kids take care of patient recovery afterwards. Last week my 3YO granddaughter had me mend a green dinosaur with an open seam.

[@kath5201]

The Old Ways are making a comeback! Repair, Reuse, or do without. 😁 Thanks for passing on your knowledge!

[@refinerycbr4457]

With embroidery floss it's best to use shortish lengths (30cm). Waxing also works but shorter lengths is key

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Thankyou! Yes I did find this in my detangling/ destanding of threads!

[@annahackman2539]

I am glad I read the comments. Wax on the thread was also my suggestion.

[@larabryan1112]

Same! I like using bees wax. What kind of wax do you lady’s like?

[@Marialla.]

@@larabryan1112 I prefer silicone to wax. There's a liquid silicone product called "Sewer's Ease" which I adore because one drop goes a very long way. On the go I prefer to use silicone putty, as in swimmer's ear plugs. It's very inexpensive and easily available everywhere, and does a great job conditioning and detangling thread for hand sewing.

[@practicallymedieval2027]

I love waxing my thread for hand sewing, I never want to hand sew with out wax!!

[@kathleenrohring5362]

I have decided to advertise in my local newspaper to advertise that I will help potential customers that I am available to help them with their mending plus minor alterations. You, gave me the idea and I feel very enthused thanks to you! Wish me luck.

[@angelasandoval1236]

I love mending, I learn sewing by mending all clothes but never finished my learning, now,im 50 and now I can continue, live your channel, I'm now a new subscriber, thank you 😊 please continue posting new videos, im a grandma 👵, I'm doing some mending, quilting, and a little but in between.

[@Chantilly871]

I've had an old pair of my husbands work pants in my mending pile forever and he's no longer that size so I'm turning them into a gardening/farm work tool belt!

[@raraavis7782]

CJ's Olde Thyme Farm That is a cool idea. I always wanted one, but the ones you can buy in the hardware are so clunky and ugly. Using the top part of an old pair of jeans as a base for a diy sounds like a great idea.

[@WhimsicalBlades]

To confirm what someone else said, shorter lengths will really help to stop the floss tangling. To separate the strands, the best way I've found is to cut the length you need from the full six strand thread, then hold the thread in one hand. Roll it a little to separate the strands and grab one or two (or however many you're working with) with your other hand and pull gently. The remaining strands will bunch up behind your fingers, but don't worry, it should just be loose loops not knots, and it will relax once you've pulled your working strand(s) out anyway. Like a lot of things, it's easier to show than explain, and I'm not sure how well I explained it anyway. Either way, I hope this helped just a little bit!

[@fibienn250]

That was very easy to follow

[@mftmaine]

Lovely job, you could add a few daisies over the areas that are missing material. If done properly you could add them all the way around the neckline. I would use daisy stitch and embroidery floss.

[@LindaStitches]

You sewed this detailed work so beautifully! As someone who prefers very worn T-shirts to sleep in, I’m plenty impressed!

[@vickierickson3402]

I love mending! My favourite mind was on a hole in my husbands blue jeans. I used free motion quilting and zen doodled a bright red rooster to secure the patch on the front of the leg. 😂. He wore them too!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Ooh I love this!!! Great job!

[@cassieoz1702]

Ive been saving defunct denim jeans for 25 years and cutting 20cm squares which ive FINALLY flatlocked into a QS coverlet. It has pockets, patches holes and even a couple of paint splashes from my husband's work pants. The mending has become part of the story

[@johannakerns2107]

Loved this! This is often the kind of mending I am facing when caring for school costumes. Your embroidery was beautiful reinforcement and inspiring! I'm currently trying to reinforce all the seams on a red velvet evening gown costume that are shredding. It's slow going! Thanks for sharing!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Thankyou for watching! Shredding red velvet sounds like it will mustering all your patience! 😅😚

[@wendyhutchins945]

I did exactly the same thing about a year ago on a favorite house dress that was disintegrating. I was between sewing machines, so I did it by hand. Very satisfying and greatly prolonged the life of my dress. Just a few days ago, I finally put an elastic band into a skirt that I had cut from the bottom of another dress. It has been sitting there for probably 6 months. I felt so good when I got it done. It took practically no time at all. I wondered why I had not done it before. Thanks for showing your process. It makes me feel better about my own skills, as you did exactly what I had done. Love your channel, Evelyn!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

I'm so glad to hear it!! 😃

[@mandyhague3052]

Really interesting to see your mending of this delicate nightdress. I have taken up the idea of mending too. It is nice to have this inspiration to just go ahead and get it done. Last week I repaired the seams of my husband's cardigan. This week I worked on a knitted top where the buttons had pulled the button bands making the front gape in a way I found unattractive. I hand stitched the button borders together and now have a top I am happy to wear again. My husband was really happy to get his cardigan back too. Thanks

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Oh great job on your mending!! 😃 It is inspiring to see others mending I think too!

[@peggydid]

Oh, I *love* giving new life to the favorite nighty! It is gorgeous! When separating embroidery floss, I hold one end between my lips, and sort of untwist. I do this with a length about 14-18" , depending on the amount of thread I will be using. Keep it from twisting and knotting that way. I repurpose my garments by mending, as well! This mending Monday, I will unpick 2 rows of machine stitching that is sewn through an elastic in the back of a skirt. I recently replaced the totally worn out one, but it was too long, and then I lost weight. (Yay for me!) So, now, need to take out about 3 inches of elastic. Previously, I shortened the skirt (cut and rehemed) , and used fabric from it to make a flower, and wear it on a crocheted sweater with the skirt.

[@vintagehomemaker9338]

It usually takes longer to remove the factory sewing than to do the actual repair!

[@dawnbiddle3157]

I think I need to find some very fine cotton! Embroidery floss is mostly used for a decorative effect, so it is a bit softer/looser spun to make the stiches more effective on the surface. People suggest shorter lengths, but I've found I can use it in longer lengths if I seperate the floss ahead of time and give it time to relax, then run the thread over a softish bar of soap before using - this works better than beeswax as it is easier to wash out after yet clings to the softer thread more easily for use, without it becoming thick and gummy (especially if the weather/your hands are hot). I also sometimes do this when I'm stitching on a fabric that is likely to damage the floss as I pull it through (like denim).

[@ziggiezag938]

I just love your pin/broach!

[@wormonthesidewalk]

My favorite blouse I've had for 5 years is a thin sheer fabric and has holes in the sleeve. I had the idea to do something like this to it, very glad someone else did it first and I can see it looks ok!

[@dianacurtis5872]

Decorative mending is such fun for me, and the key is making it look like it was always meant to be *like that*, that somehow the embellishments improve the garment's looks as well as its functionality. As to what I will mend.... ALL the Things! Hugs and many thanks!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Yes!!! I think you described it so well! Mend all the things!! ❤

[@carleneparker9709]

I enjoy mending for my daughters and grandaughters. Im 80 years so what else more exciting am I going to do LOL. Enjoy all your videos

[@lucilledaub5991]

I love your videos on sewing.I woulda made a new one

[@margaretrose8105]

That was amazing. I am currently added about 4 inches to a shirt for my daughter. Taking a tank top and cutting it to use. She is tall and doesn't like tops that are short. Take care.

[@noranoman5415]

Hi Evelyn, you're so brave and courageous to mend your nightgown in such detail and to invest so much time and effort. I mend stuff all the time but don't have your patience. Excellent work! The result is beautiful! 😍 😃👍

[@patronusstag]

What a gorgeous brooch!

[@sharonfowler9971]

I fixed a saddle back onto Woody's 🐎 🐴 horse! And sewed husband pj's side leg. Been putting off sewing a stuffed dog for grandson so I will do that today before he comes home from school. But did all of this on Wednesday; lol. Enjoyed your video and ty! Have a great week! 👍

[@vintagehomemaker9338]

Turning collars on my husband's flannel work shirts.Darning socks too!

[@bunnybgood411]

That headscarf is fabulous!

[@anubis33]

What a wonderful makeover too. The running stitches made me think of how good some sashiko would look. By default I’m repairing straps from a community centre’s rowing machine with saddle stitches rather than buying new. Thinking of the embroidery floss would running it through beeswax help.

[@juliemeanor6531]

Hello Evelyn, so lovely to see someone mend,it is not a lost art. I work with kids sewing by machine and especially Hand sewing. You tube is the place to find the old ways. Keep up the good work.👍❤️

[@shelbyhinz6584]

That is beautiful! Be proud of your work. Helped me figure out how to fix the night gown I made for my daughter that had a tear. Thank you for your help!

[@bonniecolleenpappin8807]

Re: stranded embroidery floss. It really needs to be separated in line with its grain. Take the six strands before separating and rub them across your lip (no makeup, please). You can use your fingers too, but I find my lip is more sensitive. Pull the thread from right to left and then from left to right. One way will feel smoother. Ensure you start pulling from the direction that feels smoother. So if it is smoother from right to left, pull your strands from the left end of the length. Then thread your needle with the left end of the thread so you are always pulling the strand along the grain, not against. I rarely knot if I do this and if I only use about a 30 cm strand. I sewed the buttons on a doona cover that had been stained and I had given up on. But it was too good to chuck so I cleaned it up. I found that the buttons had torn the single layer of fabric that they were sewn on. I folded the edge over and sewed through two layers, by machine. Now a usable item again.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

thankyou!! I did not know embroidery floss had a grain! It makes so much sence! 😚😚😚

[@victoriah.2083]

Evelyn, like Blake's post below this reminded me of "Boro" stiching. It would've been HEAVIER!! Yes. It's amazing how a bit of thread can add weight. YES. Like quilting you start from the center and the stitching pushes the fabric out to the perimeter.🧵🐦

[@ERH-ph5gb]

Wow, what a mending project! Nice how you show the process and in the end reveal what you would have done differently. Learned a lot! I didn't really mend, but I took a pair of trousers from the 90s that fit a jacket. Since I want the trousers with a high waistband, just like they became too tight there, my plan is to cut off the original waistband, continue in the crotch seam and replace the high waistband with a new black fabric. So far I have brought this to my teacher in the sewing course and had already severed parts of the waistband. With the crotch seam she gave me the super tip not to cut it open first and then to reduce the seam allowance, but to apply the new seam first and then to cut the original seam. How simple and clever! I did this. And we have now cut the new parts for the high waistband. Since I don't have any real vintage-style trousers yet, just a test trouser, I had the opportunity to convert an old pair of pants and to be happy that I don't have to give up the good fabric and the otherwise nice fit of the piece. I find your Monday Mendings a very nice addition to your canal and encouraging people to tackle pieces that are almost lost. I really like that you saved your nightgown and that it will last much longer now. For embroidery tips resp. your question maybe ask this youtuber about: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJDPqaCNpp2YadU She seems to know everything about it. Greetings to Australia from far Germany! ... Oh, I just saw that someone answered you already. But I leave the link here. It's interesting, too.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Thankyou for watching and the link!! I do hope to inspire others to sew and mend! 😃

[@ladywoodelf]

This is so useful. I have lots of mending to do and I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out how to stabilize and ensure better durability. So now after 4 months, I can finally start! Thanks!

[@JehanineMelmoth]

Oh that looks amazing! Beautiful stitching and in such a lovely design! Congrats, Evelyn! Brilliant as always!

[@mauimedows]

As usual remarkable work!! Thank you Evelyn for sharing your knowledge and helpful tips 🎈😊

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Thankyou for watching!!

[@lindaladner5880]

I found a precious pink seersucker dress for a little girl while thrifting. I didn’t recognize the brand but could tell it was expensive originally. The problem is that the single buttonhole on the back has been torn completely out. I decided to try my hand at it but all I have done so far is to iron mending patch fabric to each side where the buttonhole should be. I was going to try to make a new buttonhole but I think I will just put some snaps under the button and call it done. There is a sash that ties at the button so it will never show. Thank you for your Monday Mending inspiration. I am enjoying watching your repairs.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Thankyou for watching! Great job on your mending! It doesn't need to be perfect! You could have used this technique rather than the iron on patches too, at least some ideas for next mend I mean! ❤

[@tammytenaro-pressley5713]

I love your vintage look! You look so classic!

[@adamm.p.299]

This has probably been said before, but a tiny bit of beeswax, shorter threads and using only a few threads at a time really helps make the embroidery thread easier to manage. Great work on this mend, it looks good!

[@frostfire827]

Love the starburst stitching!

[@eleanorbarsic8065]

It's Monday! I had a sew day today (I've been rushing to get new steps in the garden before fall/winter hits!). I took in the sides of a black slip I thrifted. Fixed the hem and ciff lining in a coat I thrifted. Put new velcro on my husband's cap (he probably gave me a year ago, but I happened upon it looking for lining fabric for the leather pants (sz 12) I thrifted for $5 and leather jacket I thrifted as fabric (my panr size is actually 18!) I only got one leg done today but it confirmed where the pcs need to go and what sz and shape they need to be. :) tmw I'll probably finish it! Then I can wear my new leather pants!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Wow!! You are on a roll!!! 😀😀 Great job!

[@christineramsay1897]

A lovely find! Your look is fabulous.

[@mostly_minerals]

I'm really glad you went by hand, because a machine would damage the sheer old fabric for sure. Doing it by hand will make sure that you don't pull at the fabric harder than neccesary.

[@TodayinJensSewingRoom]

Definitely worth all the trouble because it's just beautiful! I love to sleep in beautiful things. I don't know why, since it's sleeping, but I just do. I always keep a cake of soap nearby when hand stitching. Run your floss/thread through it and it will give it a nice coating so it won't tangle.

[@aliiljah8224]

Yes Evelyn, I agree with you about leaving the bottom loose until it was mended first. It is like quilting, it takes up a lot of the fabric with all the stitching. Also, I was thinking, it would be pretty if it could have been sewn with tiny french knots. But, it would have taken a lot longer and you were mending not decorating, sorry. It looks beautiful anyway, It is more than what I would have done. You do beautiful work, I wish that I had the patience to do all that you do.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Oh french knots woukd have been nice! It would have been like polka dots! 😃

[@biobombshell8004]

I just found #mondaymending and this week I mended some jeans for my husband. Fixed a torn pocket and reapplied a belt loop.

[@joannecarroll5504]

Great idea Evelyn. I have to spend a lot of time resting in bed, due to illness. Perhaps I can keep a little basket nearby with small items that require hand-sewing only, so that I can still participate when it feels my day is otherwise wasted. I've just learned to darn socks as I have many to repair & bought a Darning Mushroom to make it easier. On a larger scale, I need to resize & repair my ripped jeans - they're loose, so the rips catch on everything & rip further. I might use decorative embroidery on these too :)

[@bellepoupee61]

Absolutely gorgeous way to fix your night gound...

[@chrissy24-7]

I actually got a wonderful fitting pair of denim shorts thrifted, but the "style" was torn on one leg. I appliqued tumbling roses over it and now it's beautiful! 💕

[@GrainneDhu]

The yoke was a great idea and I loved the radial stitch lines. One trick to avoid snarls is to find a beeswax based lip balm, apply the tiniest dab to your index finger and/or thumb, then run the strand of floss through it. Lip balm will wash out and it is softer and smoother than straight up beeswax; when I use beeswax, I usually iron it between two scraps of fabric to both melt it into the thread and remove the excess bits. For a heavier weight fabric, I'd definitely do the beeswax w/ press process but for something as light as the nightgown that will end up being laundered, I'd use lip balm.

[@vijaytiwari4024]

Thank you, Ma'am for today's class

[@ladyxanthar8747]

Love that you tried something new!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Thankyou! I love to try new things, expand my experience in all things! ❤

[@finickityreader5274]

I said on your last Monday mending video I couldn't do it because of shift work, but then it came to Monday and I got up at noon for a short 7pm - 2am shift, so I ended up fixing two tops! Just did the hem on one but turned the other from puffball to draped sleeves (important for a girl with big biceps).

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Great job!!! 😃😃

[@refashionrose9499]

I love this mend! I understand how you got excited about it. I don’t know what it is but I to love taking something that is worn out then taking the challenge of bringing it back. It gives me so much satisfaction. I wonder how old that nightie is. I also wonder how long you can keep it going. It’s so Wonderful. Keep up the fantastic work and motivations. Xxx

[@martinechicheret3480]

Hey from France .I like your idée. Merci 😀💟

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Merci beaucoup! 😃

[@smiths6311]

Hemmed a new pair of pants at last - I bought them a year ago! Haha. Thanks for the prompting! XXXX

[@vibekefreitag562]

Evelyn! That’s an amazing mend you did. You are so inspiring and such a great seamstress. So great to show us and inspire us to mend all our lovely old and new clothes👍🏻Also really great you tell us what you would have done different next time❤️

[@damnbro_idc]

Such a creative way to fix something! I want to do the same for some satin shirt now. Maybe next week. What I will do this week are second hand cashmere pullovers that have been through a lot at the elbows. I will patch them, one sleeve has a lot of damage though, I will use some matching embroidery floss and steal some fabric from the back neck facing/yolk part. I had it on my pile since spring.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

I hope you try it!! I love elbow patches!! 😃

[@tammyluich7303]

I often mend favorite fitting jeans. I use interfacing on the inside and decorative stitches on the front. Many modern jeans have this look at the store.

[@judyjennings-gunther4022]

I like how you realized at some point to change tactics and not do those tiny stitches and switch to a more vertical design. It turned out lovely and gives it a lot of character. I already did my MondayMending a couple of days ago. I have a three tiered skirt that I made many years ago. I put rows and rows of ric-rac on the tiers to give it that patio skirt feel. Well the first tier(waist down)was too long so the seam hit me around my butt, so it looked and felt weird. I had to roll down the waist twice to get it to hit the right spot. So I cut off the elastic and the casing, then made another one. The elastic was shot so I had to replace it. Now it looks so much better.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

😃😃 Sounds like you did a great job on this one!

[@nvaranavage]

Thread wax!!!! Amazing stuff.

[@shellythimmer461]

Love the idea of #MondayMending. I have a couple of "vintage" like dresses made from scratch that tends to pop the waist seam every now and then. Hmmm, one of them has this problem. Not sure I remember why the second dress is in the pile. Oh! There it is. A side seam popped open. So, for this #MondayMending - I'll be fixing those problems.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

😅 Fabulous!! I forget why items made it to the pile too! 😂

[@shellythimmer461]

@@Evelyn__Wood Ok, so #MondayMending became #TryitagainTuesday - both dresses are now mended. Again, thanks for the idea.

[@raraavis7782]

Ah, what a timely reminder. I was just about to put away my laundry and this reminded me, that I had spotted a small tear in an otherwise still perfectly fine duvet cover. So my mending was just some iron on interface this time...but that rip would sure have grown over time otherwise 👍

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Woo!! Get it done!!

[@raraavis7782]

Evelyn Wood Just finished. Decided, to put a zigzack stitch over it for good measure, after all!

[@bonniekonjevich7574]

It happened on my long cotton nightgown, ten inches from the edge.So feeling lazy, I serged ABOVE IT into a shorter version, with a narrow rolled hem. The item is not quite a rag yet but isn't found in my decorative mendig pile. So glad to see what imaginationative ladies are sharing.

[@Cyrilmc222004]

Thank you so much Evelyn, that was a task and a half. But, you’ve made a very good job of it. I agree you really should have taken out the older mending, but it really really was a super job when finished. xxx Mags

[@marieclaireJouanneau]

Merci pour ce partage. Très belle réalisation. Je ne comprends pas tout, mais l'idée de pousser la réparation jusqu'à la décoration est bien pensée.

[@pagansunite4005]

I was taught in middle school that if you hold the unsplit end of embroidery thread in your mouth and you keep tension as you split each of the threads that it will prevent the threads from bunching. Before using yarn in knitting and crochet, you're supposed to hand wash the skein, let it dry and then roll the yarn into a ball. It's like prewashing fabric. I've done it with yarn that was knitted for years in a half-done project. Before the wash, half the yarn was wavy and the other half normal. After I washed the yarn, all the waviness disappeared. So hand washing the embroidery thread might help make any waviness and potential bunching be a thing of the past. I haven't done this myself, but it makes sense in my head since they are pretty much made of the same thing.

[@eyesofthegoddess2967]

Pull your embrodery floss through bees' wax, it really helps and is natural so will not damage your fragile fabric. Great ideas. Love from Canada.

[@lyndasmith593]

Wow....well done indeed. Love your channel!

[@marymendoza3351]

I’m ecstatic with your mending your gown! It came out really nice with your hand stitch. I will duplicate same for one I have in dire need of mending. Thank you for your Monday mending inspiration! 🙏🏼

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Oh how great! I hope it turns out well!

[@PibbleMom297]

Love your website! I just found it recently and enjoy seeing your ideas and tips. I'm not much of a vintage clothing fan but you're gorgeous and it looks stunning on you! I don't have formal training, but I had two great teachers: Mom and Granny. These days I make clothes, quilts, sewn craft items for our church bazaar and dresses for my great-granddaughter, plus the occasional alteration for a friend. Oops! Almost forgot - repairs & alterations for Hubby too. I was fascinated by your nightgown repair. I can do any kind of hand sewing necessary for making nice clothing, but I don't really like doing it; it tests my patience. I probably would have used the lighter more transparent cotton, put a fine needle in my machine and sewn a simple ornamental stitch with fine thread. It would require some precise tension adjustments, but I think would have turned out well. Then again, perhaps your way is better (or I’m just lazy!) ; - } Please keep your blog going; it’s FABULOUS!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

That's one of the grand things about sewing and creating, there's no one right way to do anything! Both are great ways! ❤ I might try yours next time!

[@bettywatson8828]

I have embroidery floss on little cards to keep in a floss storage container. When I need only one or two strands, I unwind to desired length, put it back into the little cut in the card to hold it secure. Stand up and let it hang down. Select you desired number of strands. You can either pull the strands straight out slowly or pull them apart from the main strand letting the hanging card spin. Just cut the strands you need and wrap the rest back on the card. Wax your thread to help keep it from knotting.

[@Marialla.]

How I separate embroidery floss is: Start with piece of floss about 45cm long. (Shorter than that is no fun to work with.) Bend the floss in half and grasp the strands you want. Pinch the rest of the strands firmly but lightly in your other hand, and then pull vertically to separate, letting the "left behind" strands curl up in your pinch-grip. Because you started in the center, you have only about 22cm of floss to pull through (from each end, at the same time). I find floss tangles when you pull it horizontally away from itself, but tends to spiral into an untangled curl when pulled vertically.

[@jenniferchristiansen2040]

Amazing work!

[@worldlyporcini8646]

Magic thread is awesome! It's tiny and expensive but it find it keeps my embroidery thread a little stiff and tamed so it doesn't get as knotted up as much.

[@allisonhubble8118]

DMC embroidery floss has a nap, it runs smooth in opposite direction that it pulls out of the skein. Pull one or more threads in the same forward direction, and a tip I learned was to make a slip knot at one end to remind yourself of the nap direction.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Oh I see!!! Ok, I'm definitely going to use thst tip! Thankyou!

[@StitchesbySharonH]

Beautifully done!! When you’re separating strands of embroidery floss, separate the one strand (after you’ve cut a short length) and pinch your thumb and first finger of one hand around the other five strands while you pull the single strand out with fingers from your other hand. It will make the five strands kind of ball up, but as long as you’re holding the one end tight, it will fix itself as you pull out the one strand. I hope I explained it okay! 💜

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Thankyou for the tip! 😘

[@michelledee9304]

Last Monday I planned to sew the buttons on a skirt that I bought with safety pins holding them on. I didn't get that done so that's my plan for this week.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Excellent!! You'll have to report back when the safety pins are gone! 😃

[@johnwhitley2898]

Ivory soap. Rinses clean and clear. No stains. Mom kept a bar in her sewing box, and I just have one handy as well. Beeswax/paraffin wax when I hand stitch canvas, carpet, heavy duty material. I'm just echoing one of our fine peeps who already posted the "soap" trick. Aaaarg! Buttons on my shirts! There is 6 or 7 Waiting for me!!! If "REAL life" just got out of the way.........lol!

[@suem6004]

From a thread construction perspective as a master handspinner, if you are getting knots or hypertwisting, you could be adding twists with each stitch you make. Unless monofilament, a thread will have a direction of twist. Either a right slant or left slant to not be technical. As you poke the needle down then back up you are actually adding a direction of twist. Like twirling long hair around your finger. Maybe try a reeled silk thread. I will try to add this topic to my video request list on my yt channel.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Yes this was cotton thread! I know what you mean twisting when stitching, I run into most tangling trying to pull the strands apart!

[@Krissshereee]

I just love everything about this channel ❤️

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Aww thankyou so much for your support! Xx

[@cristinastefan3283]

👍👍👍Great ideas! I've a Biiiiig pile of staff to be mended! Thanks! 🤗😘

[@xy-zj1oh]

visible (monday)mendind is a good topic, would be pleased to get more videos about it :)

[@D_TheMessyPerfectVLOG]

You really do inspire me!! I've been just watching all of your videos while I'm mending and learning to sew. Finishing my refashioning of an apron that I love and I'll be seeing you at VSS!! Thanks again for the great content.

[@tanyawersinger2693]

Thread heaven is a wonderful product to keep thread from tangling.

[@odettemichel3563]

Such a gorgeous gown 😍

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Thankyou! And will last a lot longer now!

[@elizabethfrederick2434]

I did a sheet with a hole with a piece of fabric contrasting. Turned out cute. I referenced the Japanese mending technique. was interesting.e

[@TCREGAN1]

I have several nightgowns, which I love, with lace on upper bodice in back & shoulder sections that has not much left of the lace, I so wish to fix as the rest is in Great condition. I hope I can!

[@salmonte7849]

Enjoyed your video. Reminds me of Sashiko embroidery.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Yes it is quite similar I think!

[@nanastevens4094]

Nicely done!

[@victoriah.2083]

I picked up an old skirt to redo the waistband. (That hateful stitched in elastic band.) I got out a DVD of Fred & Ginger & started to work on it. Will take a month of Monday's and 1000 scenes of "Let's k-nock k-nees" with Betty Grable. Gwoin' to knock my head. My skirt has been in pile for 8yrs. Talk about vintage. Lol. 🤓🧵🌷

[@rosycarpuntley2557]

With the floss, once you separate the strands hold them up as individual strands until the stop spinning. Then you can put your strands (2, 3, whatever) back together. They behave much better. Stopping occasionally and letting the strands you are using to hang down and untwist helps too.

[@Rachel-yi8yy]

Hello Evelyn , l am new to your channel sorry l been watching few weeks now just need to say your a very clever cookie love everything you do with helpful tips thanks 😻

[@Evelyn__Wood]

thankyou so much for watching!

[@user-ol8wo1cl1o]

I love your videos, Evelyn. I’m planning on starting to learn how to sew, maybe this autumn, or after Christmas tops. Even though I still have no idea how to do any sewing at all, I enjoy your content very much and I hope it’ll be helpful in the future :)

[@Evelyn__Wood]

That's fantastic news! Join me at vintagesewingschool.com and you can learn! 😃

[@maureencullen1008]

With embroidery thread I was taught to measure the length from you holding the needle to your elbow.Then hold the thread tightly between your teeth and then take off how many strands you need.It will still seem to twist but holding it in your teeth straightens it out. I think the mending would have looked better with a flesh tone fabric to strengthen it.Instead of all the running stitch why not do self coloured embroidery flowers. This way you'll cover the larger broken areas easier and by putting random placed flowers it will hold it in shape easier.You could then embroider some of the front. I once bought a vintage dress I loved but the outside had faded but the wrong side hadn't.I,painstakingly unpicked,cut a pattern out of the pieces then turned it so the inside was now the right side fabric.It was worth the time taken as I loved it. I really wish we had thrift shops like yours in the uk ours tend to be normal clothes and pricey .

[@ShatteredRippleBooks]

My embroidery floss tip is to separate the threads one at a time. It takes a bit longer but I find it easier than getting in a tangle trying to do two at a time.

[@lindamaxsonsheets8295]

Great job, you had good ideas that I plan to use. Thank you

[@CrowShadow]

This coming Monday I am going to mend a bra that the dog chewed ... fortunately it is not large damage but it is in a bad spot; right at the back hook and eye which probably takes the most strain. Hah, your dress form is wearing a necklace, cute. I am also projecting that the following Monday I will start mending a spot on my comforter where the dog (freakin' dog again) chewed a hole. I plan a stabilizing patch of medium weight cotton and then over that an adequately matching final patch. Both of these projects will be hand stitching.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Ha ha ha your dog is going to keep you in Monday Mending for a while! But we love them anyway right! ❤

[@darnelleechols8556]

Hi Evelyn, This was interesting. Reminds me of that Japanese mending technique - shashiko? It's easy, yet very effective and decorative. Great idea.