When winter comes to Seattle, it's time to break out my Workman's model Utilikilt. This durable garment, made of caramel duck cloth (usually known as Carhartt material) is heavy enough to keep out the coolness and dampness of the northwest rainy season. There's just one problem.Two of the six snaps that hold the kilt closed have ripped from the fabric. The remaining four snaps are enough to keep modesty (and comfort) intact, but it gives the kilt a slightly shabby looks, with frayed holes where the bright silver buttons ought to be.
I'm thinking I might want to get this repaired, but I'm not sure how to go about it. The same thing happened to the first version of this kilt that I bought, within a week or so of wearing it, and I made a temporary and not-very-effective repair with some duct tape (on the inside), but Utilikilts replaced the kilt promptly, so I really didn't have to worry about it. Now, the kilt is out of warranty (as it were), and I'm certainly not in the mood to spring for another new one, so... what to do? Perhaps over the break I can track down a canvas fixer.
3 comments:
Well, my strait-jackets were made of a heavy duck canvas and I had a number of repair jobs made at the shoe shop in Wallingford, near the sexy cakes shop. They're quick, good, and cheap. But I'm still not sure how they'd fix snaps, since it inherently involves ripped fabric. It's almost like they'd have to sew on a canvas patch from the back side, and then put the snaps in the new material.
Another far out extreme, but one that I would consider, it to stitch around the holes, turning them into button holes. And then remove the back snaps, stitch the holes closed and add some sweet buttons.
Good luck!
FYI-- When I said that they were quick, good and cheap, I was referring to the shoe repair guys, not the sexy cakes about which I have no idea.
And a third idea. A cheap and easy one: assuming that it is the front snaps that are busted out, not the backs...
This will make it very functional again. At the fabric store, pick up some big sew on snaps. They cost about $2 for about 10 or 20 of them. Sew the backs on with a needle and thread next to (but not too close if possible) where the old snap backs are. Sew the snap fronts on the back side of the front flap, next to where the old snap fronts were and in alignment with the snap back you just sewed on.
That's the functional part. Now for the aesthetic part... just stich up the holes where the old snap fronts were with a needle and thread. (tip: if you don't already know, always start sewing from the backside, because it keeps all of the knots hidden.) Then you can cover up the stitchwork either by sewing on a decorative button where the snap was (you can probably find a button that would match the snaps fairly closely). Or, drill two or four tiny holes in the broken snap fronts and sew them in place to serve as the decorative buttons.
Finally, post pics on the blog so we can see your work!
Hope something in all of that was helpful.
Scotty
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