What is FABRIC REWEAVING?
The term “Invisible Mending” or “Re-Weaving” dates back more than 200 years and describes the highly skilled and time-consuming method of repairing damage to cloth by taking individual threads from a hem, side seam or other concealed part of the garment of the same type and reweaving them over the damaged area to make as near perfect repairs as is humanly possible.
Where will the threads or fabric come from?
Anytime fabric is available from having the garment tailored is extremely helpful. When this is not possible, material is taken from a hem, inside a pocket or the facing of a sport coat. When necessary, the cuffs of a pair of slacks can be removed in order to have enough material or the proper pattern.
What are the different ways to reweave a hole?
Piece-weaving, also called inweaving, involves working in a piece of fabric taken from elsewhere on the garment, tablecloth or whatever. This is undetectable on patterns such as plaids, checks and tweeds but may show slightly on materials with a smooth surface such as gabardine. On a fine silk or chiffon evening dress that cannot be rewoven invisibly, we might suggest cutting away the damage and making the skirt narrower.
French or “invisible” reweaving is best for tears and holes up to 1/8″ in diameter, no larger. Using this method, individual threads are replaced and are woven back into the garment. It sounds simple. Like tying your own flies for fishing… . French reweaving almost always results in a near invisible repair.
Glen plaids, stripes, worsteds, flannels, tweeds are all fixable. Black cloth, incidentally, is the most difficult to work with.
Reknitting is the type of reweaving used to repair holes, tears, burns and wear in knit garments. Yarn is taken from hidden areas and used to carefully reproduce the knit pattern.
How much does it cost?
Because the nature of the reweaving process is very tedious and time-consuming, it requires a highly specialized and trained staff. This type of work is not inexpensive. However, it is an excellent alternative to restore your garments that have tears, cigarette burns, snags, etc. Cost starts at approximately $45 and goes up per job.
How should I mark the place(s) to be repaired?
Only holes marked with pins or tailors chalk will be rewoven. Examine the garment carefully, holding it up to light if possible. Sometimes there is more damage than meets the naked eye.
Is the job guaranteed?
We guarantee that the re-weave will NOT come out during the normal life of the garment. However, we CAN NOT guarantee that the re-weave will be 100% invisible.