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May 23, 2022
Last Updated on May 11, 2023 by Dominique de Merteuil
Home » Vintage Fashion Tips »In this article, I will show you step-by-step instructions on how to fix a hole in clothes without sewing. The perfect solution for all those who fear the sewing machine. In this article, I will share with you my tips on repairing holes, small and large in vintage clothes.
Learn How to Repair a Hole in Clothes Without Sewing
FAQ
Yes. I use Bo-Nash Fuse It Powder to repair small to medium size holes in my vintage dresses, skirts and jackets.
It’s not difficult but you will need a little bit of practice. The key here is not to use too much of the Fuse It Powder.
DISCLOSURE: This is NOT a sponsored post but, I’m part of an affiliate program, and I get a small commission for purchases made through links in this post. That’s how I keep my website alive, for which I’m very grateful to you. All opinions expressed here are mine!
The Tools You Will Need to Fix a Hole in Clothes Without Sewing
- Bo-Nash Fuse It Powder
- Piece of fabric for the patch
- Scissors
- Ironing board
- Iron
- Glass head pins, or any pins you have
- A little bit of patience
I Have No Talent For Sewing, Mending or Repairing
To say that I have no talent for mending is the understatement of the century. I’m terrible at it, and the simple action of attaching a button horrifies me. Why? A couple of years ago, one of my precious 1930s buttons was hanging by a thread. I bravely reattached it. It fell off a couple of hours later and has not been seen since.
Time needed: 5 minutes.
How To Fix a Hole in Clothes Without Sewing-Step by Step Instructions
- How to fix a hole in clothes without sewing with the Bo-Nash Fuse It Powder. Firstly, set up the ironing board.
Place the garment on the ironing board.
- Find a piece of fabric that you will use to patch the hole. Ensure that the material is slightly bigger than the hole.
The material should be identical, or at least similar in type and colour to the one the garment is made of. You will work on the wrong side of the fabric, and as long as the hole isn’t too big, it won’t be visible.
My 1940s Handmacher suit was a wounded bird when I bought it. I had to fix six holes, and additionally, the jacket needed to be altered. I left the latter to a great seamstress, my mom. I was lucky to have some leftover fabric from the alteration that was enough for most but not all the holes. I used black cotton to patch the remaining ones.
- Place the Fiberglass Ironing sheet on the ironing board.
Position your garment on top of it. Make sure that the sheet is under the hole.
- Have your pins ready.
The hole you see in the photograph was in a very awkward spot, on top of the shoulder, so I had to use pins to keep the jacket in place.
- Get the Bo-Nash Fuse It Powder ready.
Remember to work on the wrong side of the garment!It is recommended to moisten the edges of the fabric but I often forget to do it and still get great results. Sprinkle the powder on and slightly around the hole. Don’t worry if you use too much at this stage but don’t go powder-mad.
- Have the fabric ready.
Place the piece of fabric you prepared earlier on top of the hole. Again, I would stress that you are working on the wrong side of your clothing. I tried desperately to match the pattern and I almost got it right. Brush away excess Bo-Nash Fuse It Powder.
- Use the second Fiberglass Ironing Sheet. The first one is under the garment.
Place it on top of the garment. Remember that you are still working on the wrong side of the fabric.
- Heat the iron! It might take a while if you are using an antique one.
Make sure that the steam function on your iron is off! Press the hot iron against the Fiberglass Ironing Sheet for a few seconds and repeat the same process on the other side. The Fiberglass Ironing Sheet will protect your fabric.
- The Results!
I’m pleased with how it turned out, although, as you can see in the picture below, I moved the fabric slightly when I was placing the sheet on top of the garment so it’s not perfectly aligned with the pattern. This was the sixth hole I fixed with the Bo-Nash Fuse It Powder on the jacket that day. I’m very happy with all the fixes even if one or two are less than perfect.
How to fix a hole in clothes without sewing! - Let it cool down and set it for an hour.
You can now enjoy your fixed piece of clothing.
The Patch
This is what the patch looks like on the wrong side of the garment after I had used the Bo-Nash Fuse It Powder. As you can see, I used black cotton on one of the holes.
I’ve been using Bo-Nash Fuse It Powder for years as it’s the only way I can fix a hole or a tear in a garment without having to stitch, and I couldn’t be happier with the results.
Extra Tips
- I know that some people find using the Fuse It Powder a bit difficult, but that’s because they end up sprinkling way too much, which can result in a mess. My advice, practise first on old clothing that you don’t mind damaging. Practice makes perfect.
- The product is brilliant for fixing; small to medium size holes and tears.
- This particular tip, or rather advice, is for those fixing holes in vintage clothes.
Fixing a Hole in Vintage Clothes
I cringe every time I have to make an alteration to my vintage clothes. This happened three times in the past 20 years. The hem of one of my long 1940s gowns’ was in such a state of despair I had no choice but to shorten it slightly.
Why am I sharing this with you?
The easiest and most tempting option to find the perfect fabric to patch the hole in your vintage is to cut a piece from the extra hem. If the clothing was in a bad state, to begin with, then I see no harm in cutting a bit from the wrong side of the garment.
If, however, one small hole in your vintage garment is the only problem, I suggest you look for an alternative in finding a fabric to use as a patch. I once asked fellow vintage ladies on Instagram if anyone had a tiny bit of vintage black rayon fabric to spare, and guess what? Several people offered leftover fabric from their alterations.
How to Fix a Hole in Woolen Sweater
- To fix a hole in a woollen sweater, use its lint. Cut it into tiny pieces and roll it in your fingers into a ball, mix it with a small amount of Fuse It Powder and follow the steps I’ve already shown you.
As you can see in the picture below, the Fuse It Powder worked surprisingly well on the rather large hole in my woollen sweater. Please, forgive the white fluff, I live with a beautiful Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who sheds all year round. 🙂 Also, the garment is in desperate need of a dry clean, but not before I fix all the holes in it.
The Fixed 1940s Handmacher Suit in its Full Glory
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How To Clean Vintage Clothes!
Once you fix all the holes in your precious garment, you will probably want to clean it and this article explains how to do it.
How to clean vintage clothes headache-free!
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Thank you!
Dominique x
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Annie
May 28, 2022I didn’t know such a product existed, and since I’m also terrible at mending, this might be the way to go. I appreciate all the tips you share on your blog, as they are very useful. Thank you, Dominique!
Dominique de Merteuil
May 28, 2022Thank you, Annie, for your lovely comment. I’ve always been terrible at sewing and stitching, so the fuse it powder is my only option when it comes to fixing holes in clothes.