Repair guide

A practical first-look guide for deciding what information to gather before asking a repair professional to assess a garment.

Dropped or loose hem

Check whether the stitching has failed while the folded fabric remains intact. Avoid pulling remaining threads. Photograph the full hem and a close-up of the failure.

Seam opening

Look for the difference between broken thread and torn fabric. A clean seam opening may be simpler to restitch; frayed or torn cloth beside the seam can require reinforcement.

Zip problem

Note whether the slider moves, whether teeth are missing or misaligned, and whether the fabric tape has detached. Different faults can require different work.

Button or fastening

Keep the original button or part if available. For matching replacements, the exact size, colour and finish matter. An operator should not promise an exact match before checking stock.

Fit adjustment

For taking in, construction around pockets, zips and lining may limit where changes can be made. For letting out, available seam allowance is critical and cannot be assumed from the outside.

Worn knees or elbows

Assess the surrounding cloth, not just the hole. Thin fabric around a damaged spot may need a larger reinforcement area to avoid concentrating stress at the edge.

Care note: Do not use glue, aggressive stain treatment or irreversible cutting before a professional assessment if you hope to have the area repaired.

Photo checklist for an enquiry

One photo of the whole garment
One close-up of the damaged or altered area
One reverse-side photo if accessible
Fabric/care label when relevant
A short description of the result you want