Repair and Re-wear

So your much loved garment has fallen victim to a bramble bush on your multi-day hike or your wardrobe has those little (or huge in Australia!) flappy moths that love to nibble on your favourite headwear.

Well, no fear! We are here with a little segment on how to breathe a bit more life into your much-loved pieces. Find your item below.

Before You Start | Board Shorts | Rash Guards | T-shirts | Beanies | Caps | Totes & Aprons

Before You Start

Choose a thread the same colour as the fabric, or one shade darker. Match the weight too: cotton thread for cotton, polyester thread for swim and stretch fabrics, and wool yarn for beanies.

Board Shorts

  • Drawcord pulled out: Pin a safety pin to one end and feed it back through the waistband channel. Tie a knot in each end so it can't slip out again. Watch how
  • Split seam: Turn the shorts inside out and backstitch along the original seam line with polyester thread. See our guide to Repairing Ripped Seams.
  • Small hole or tear: Stick a nylon repair patch on the inside. Don't use iron-on patches, because heat can melt quick-dry fabric.

Rash Guards

  • Pilling: Gently skim the surface with a fabric shaver.
  • Snag (a pulled loop): Don't cut it. Push a needle through from the inside right beside the loop, and ease the loop through to the inside. Watch how
  • Hole: Use a stretchy stitch with polyester thread so the repair moves with the fabric. See our guide to Repairing Holes in Lycra.

T-shirts: Printed & Embroidered

  • Small hole (under 5mm): See our guide to Repairing Small Holes.
  • Split seam or larger rip: See our guide to Repairing Ripped Seams.
  • Loose embroidery thread: Thread the loose end onto a needle, take it through to the inside, and knot it. If it's just a short tail, trim it. Never pull it.
  • Don't iron a patch over a print or embroidery. Put patches on the inside, or make the repair a feature with some visible mending.

Merino & Recycled Beanies

  • Moth hole or small hole: Darn it with a matching wool yarn and a blunt darning needle, weaving over and under across the gap. Watch how
  • Snag or pulled loop: Use a small crochet hook to pull the loop back through to the inside. Never cut it. Watch how
  • Pilling: Remove it gently with a wool comb or fabric shaver.
  • Stretched out: For merino, hand wash in cool water and dry flat, reshaping as it dries. For recycled beanies, reshape while damp and dry flat.

Caps

  • Lost its shape: Dampen it, then let it dry over a bowl or rolled towel. Watch how
  • Loose embroidery thread: Fix it the same way as for tees.

Totes & Aprons

  • Strap coming loose: Restitch it with heavy-duty thread. Watch how
  • Extra strength: Sew a box with an X through it where the strap meets the bag. Got a sewing machine? Watch how to sew a Box X Stitch
  • Small hole: Sew a canvas patch on the inside, or on the outside as a feature.

Looking after your pieces day to day? Check out our Product Care guide.