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Fiber & Needle Arts Exchange Sewing Embroidery

Iron-on interfacing used under a darned area?

linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)

4 years ago

I have 2 favorite cardigans. Between them they go with everything I own. They both developed holes in the elbows which I promptly darned: only to have then sprout new holes right next to the old ones.

Has anyone ever tried putting iron-on interfacing applied inside over a darned area? I have this fairly light fusible called “Shirt-tailor”. Wondering if that would be enough to support the knit or if it would end up preventing it from stretching and causing more stress. I have heavier fusibles as well. Let me know if you have tried this, or think it would work.

Yes, before someone mentions this: I know I can buy new sweaters. I can afford to buy new, though I seldom see something I like lately. I also take pride in avoiding waste. I darn or hand sew while watching tv. Can’t stand to sit doing nothing.

Thanks for your suggestions.

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Comments (4)

Aglitter
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
You can get matching yarn and crochet a patch into the area. I'm afraid the knit fusible would peel back on the edges and irritate your elbow and deposit fusible particles inside the yarn. Can you use a coordinating piece of woven fabric and zig-zag two symmetrical patches on both sides to completely cover? You could use some type of decorative fabric for that. Otherwise, re-darning is no crime. You can just keep doing it as long as you like. Eventually you'll get into areas of the sweater that don't get as much wear, so the darns will hold if you go out far enough.

If you go with new cardigans, Lands' End has some great traditional options in stock as does on occasion Banana Republic.
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
Original Author
4 years ago
I don't know how to crochet or knit, so that option is out for me. Many family skills were passed down, but not those. Thanks for the idea, though.

I will still have to re-darn the new holes but hoped there was some way to slow down the progression.

I will try to think of something else.
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blubird
4 years ago
suede (suede-like?) patches for elbow of jackets and sweaters

https://www.wish.com/product/5c355914c7d0216873ecfe92?hide_login_modal=true&from_ad=goog_shopping&_display_country_code=US&_force_currency_code=USD&pid=googleadwords_int&c=%7BcampaignId%7D&ad_cid=5c355914c7d0216873ecfe92&ad_cc=US&ad_curr=USD&ad_price=1.95&campaign_id=7203534630&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi8vzhdT56AIVjbbICh0ovwGOEAQYAyABEgIdi_D_BwE&share=web
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago) thanked blubird
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
Original Author
4 years ago
I made ultrasuede patches for a previous sweater. Not iron on, I hand stitched them on. I found the stitches pulled the knit more and I got more small holes around the edges.

So I think if I do go the patching route, I need to find something that stretches. Maybe apply from the inside ?

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