Friday, January 28, 2022

Make Do and Mend for free download

Make Do and Mend (1943)
I heard of "Make do and mend" years ago - as a concept. More recently, I was exploring my mending resources and I realized I did not have a copy of any British pamphlets from the World War II era when  "Make Do and Mend" was a thing. Obviously I googled away, but it was not available anywhere I could find.
Then it dawned on me I could just buy it, because such pamphlets were widely distributed. Reproduction prints are available but it's not worth it, because the real thing is available for less. So I bought a 1943 copy from ebay.co.uk, then I scanned it and cleaned it up for you. For YOU, dear reader. (If you're wondering, copyright has expired.)
That's right: free, downloadable, and printable! 

Context

This pamphlet "Make Do and Mend" was published while the UK was fighting the Nazis in WWII. Many everyday products that were imported to the country, like food, became scarce due to submarine attacks on cargo ships. At the same time, local production was focused on supplying the soldiers on the front line. Everything from wool for uniforms, silk for parachutes and maps, leather for boots, metal for munitions, rubber for tires, even soap and paper -- everything you could think of -- became hard to find, expensive, and even rationed.
As a result of the war, householders had to "make do" with things they already had. Decorative gardens were plowed under to become vegetable gardens, new fashions a thing of the past, and everyone had to get good at repairing things or making do without.
The booklet I have uploaded is focused on mending clothing. Lots of different things are covered, from repairing holes and wear in everything from stockings to overalls to towels; repurposing larger clothes into smaller clothes; modifying too-small or worn-out clothes to extend their life; and unpicking knitted items to reuse the woolen yarn in something else.
There are a few things to keep in mind. For starters, all clothes at the time were made of natural fibers or rayon (a semi-synthetic fiber made of wood). So all those great indestructible polyester fabrics you see in disco suits at the thrift store were not around during the war. Also, women were "traditionally" expected to do all the household labor and had to know how to: sew items from scratch and make repairs; knit; crochet; and make or at least embellish other items like hats. Not to mention do all the laundry for the household along with all the ironing (this helped extend the life of garments) and you know... all the other chores. Cooking, gardening, tidying, shopping, keeping up the utilities, organzing repair specialists (for machines, carpentry, etc)... All of it.
So there's your context! I find the topic of wartime making-do to be pretty interesting, so if you have any questions please, the comment area is open!

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Un-Lose-Able Glasses Case

See More Pictures
My dad was using a glasses case that clips to his belt, and asked if I could make one for him. Sure, can do, and I can make it bright and un-lose-able too.

I started by finding the brightest fabric available locally, so it would be easy to find. This is an orange athletic fabric, smooth knit on one side and fuzzy fleece on the other. Then I found a swivel clip that seemed impossible to accidentally unclip.

To make it, I used a very firm interfacing (with adhesive on both sides) and sandwiched it between two layers of the orange. Then I quilted a diamond design on it. I added the big sport zipper, then put the bronze swivel clip on the spine.

I did not work off of any kind of pattern for this bag. I just used a pair of large sunglasses and tried to make something that would fit around it. Now that I've done one, I feel like I am ready to make another simple bag.

I gave this sunglasses bag to my dad over the winter holidays and said he liked it. I saw him in March, and he was actually using it, so I guess it's true. Plus... he hasn't lost it yet!


Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Fabric Tips: Woven, Non-Woven, Knits, Interfacing PDF Resources!


We have made it to the end of my interminable PDf series! (There will be one final post with a big surprise though...)

So this is the thirteeth and final post of collections of DOWNLOADABLE PDF pamphlets. I have gathered these from around the web - almost entirely from various American university cooperative extension programs or university archives of such. (If you are not familiar with extension programs, they are pretty cool. They date back to 1914 and are the precursor to community colleges.)



Please note that these are historic resources. They may refer to methods and items that are no longer sold or considered safe (home dry cleaning with gasoline, I'm looking at you). Do not follow such advice without exploring modern resources and using your best judgement. This batch I have three lists as follows. Enjoy.
  1. Fabric Tips Wovens & Non-Wovens; General Fabric Info
  2. Fabric Tips: Interfacing
  3. Fabric Tips: Knits


Fabric Tips Wovens & Non-Wovens; General Fabric Info

Year Title Author Publisher
1950 Rayon Dress Fabrics: Their Selection, Behavior, Care Elizabeth M. Birong Montana State Univ.
1954 Sewing the New Fabrics -- Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1954 Man-Made Fibers and Fabrics Helen Rocke Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1956 Suggestions for Sewing the Newer Fabrics Julie E. Brekke North Dakota State Univ.
1965 Wash and Wear Fabrics Gerda Petersen Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1965 Laminated and Bonded Fabrics Gerda Petersen Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1965 Leather Gerda Petersen Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1965 Stretch Fabrics Gerda Petersen Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1969 Vinyls and Simulated Leathers Gerda Petersen Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1969 Sheers Gerda Petersen Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1969 Laces Gerda Petersen Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1972 Durable Press Gerda Petersen Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1977 Working with Leather Jane Speece Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1985 Wool and Wool Blends Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1986 Sewing the Silkies Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1988 Sewing with Denim Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1991 Sewing with Micro-Fibers Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1991 Micro-Fibers Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1997 Tencel Lyocell, the New Generic Fiber Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
2000 Sewing With Voile Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
2000 Sewing with Velveteen Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
2000 Sewing with Velvet Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
2000 Sewing with Microfibers Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
2000 Sewing with Tencel Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
2000 Sewing with Lycra Blends Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
2000 Sewing with Outerwear Sports Fabric Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
2000 Sewing with Rayon Challis Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
2000 Sewing with Sand-Washed Fabrics Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
2000 Sewing with Silky-Textured Fabrics Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
2013 The Burn Test from Mary Elliott, Elaine Zarse Threads Magazine

Fabric Tips: Interfacing

Year Title Author Publisher
1962 Interfacing Marian Tudor, Freda Record North Dakota State Univ.
1966 Interfacings Gerda Petersen Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1981 Selecting and Using Interfacing Marilyn Stryker Kansas State Univ.
1993 Interfacings Gerda Petersen, Kathleen Tolman Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
2006 Selecting and Applying Interfacing from Cynthia Klumpp Texas A&M Univ.

Fabric Tips: Knits

Year Title Author Publisher
2007 Fleece Facts -- Utah State Univ.
1992 Clothing Management: Knit Know-How Louise Young Utah State Univ.
2007 Considerations for Knit fabrics -- Utah State Univ.
1965 Knitted Fabrics Georgia Petersen Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1980 All About Sewing Knits Becky Saunders Texas A&M Univ.
1992 Sewing with Knit Fabrics Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
2000 Sewing with Knits Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
2006 Sewing with Knit Fabrics Marjorie M. Baker from Linda Heaton, Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Kentucky

General Tips, Pressing, Sewing Preparation PDF resources

Tailoring Touches, 1974


From my apparently interminable supply, here is the twelfth post of DOWNLOADABLE PDF pamphlets. I have gathered these from around the web - almost entirely from various American university cooperative extension programs or university archives of such. (If you are not familiar with extension programs, they are pretty cool. They date back to 1914 and are the precursor to community colleges.)

Please note that these are historic resources. They may refer to methods and items that are no longer sold or considered safe (home dry cleaning with gasoline, I'm looking at you). Do not follow such advice without exploring modern resources and using your best judgement. This batch I have two lists: General Tips & Pressing and Preparation.

Enjoy!

General Tips

Year Title Author Publisher
1940 Decorative Finishes for Home Sewing Helen Rocke Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1944 Time Savers in Sewing Helen Rocke Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1958 Finishes for Little Girls Dresses Gerda Petersen Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1959 Fabrics for Quality and Beauty Gerda Petersen Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1974 Tailoring Touches Jane Speece Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1979 Guidelines for Quality Clothing Construction Becky Culp Texas A&M Univ.
1981 Shaping a Tailored Garment Linda K . Biles Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1982 Facings Made Sew-Easy Lenda Jo Anderson Auburn Univ.
1982 How to Sew Faster Lenda Jo Anderson Auburn Univ.
1984 Topstitching Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1984 Sewing for Children Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1985 Short Cut Tailoring Techniques: Shoulder Shapes Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
2004 Hand Stitches Revised by Marjorie M. Baker Univ. of Kentucky
2004 Measuring Up: Quality Standards for Sewn Items/Projects Kay Hendrickson, Jan Killer, Nancy Mordhorst 4H at Pacific Northwest Extension (WA State, OR State, Univ. of ID)
2004 Clothing Quality Standards (adapted from) Cynthia Klumpp Texas A&M Univ.
2009 Bias Strips, Single and Continuous Marjorie M. Baker Univ. of Kentucky
2012 Sewing Technique: Backstitch (hand) Sandra Bradshaw, Lindsay Maxfield, Teisha Thompson, Lindsey Shirley Utah State Univ.
2012 Sewing Technique: Casing Shanna Haws, Lindsey Shirley Utah State Univ.
2012 Sewing Techniques: Straight Ruffle Sarah Geer, Chanae Weller, Jen Giddens, Lindsey Shirley Utah State Univ.
2012 Sewing Techniques: Circular Ruffle Sarah Geer, Chanae Weller, Jen Giddens, Lindsey Shirley Utah State Univ.


Pressing and Preparation

Year Title Author Publisher
1960 Pressing Methods Helen Rocke Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1960 Pressing Equipment Helen Rocke Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1970 Follow that Grainline Jane Speece Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1972 Pressing Equipment Jane Speece Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1977 Pressing Methods Thelma Thompson Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1979 Measure Your Sew - How: Pressing Points Marlene Odle-Kemp Texas A&M Univ.
1983 Follow That Grainline Linda K . Biles Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1986 Sewing Ups and Downs: Placement of Fabric and/or Garment Pieces for Machine Sewing Anna Marie White Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1991 Preparing Fabric for Use Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Seams, Seam Finishes, Darts, Gathers... PDFs

Machine Stitching and Tucks, 1955
From my apparently interminable supply, here is the eleventh post of DOWNLOADABLE PDF pamphlets. I have gathered these from around the web - almost entirely from various American university cooperative extension programs or university archives of such. (If you are not familiar with extension programs, they are pretty cool. They date back to 1914 and are the precursor to community colleges.)

Please note that these are historic resources. They may refer to methods and items that are no longer sold or considered safe (home dry cleaning with gasoline, I'm looking at you). Do not follow such advice without exploring modern resources and using your best judgement. This batch I have two lists: Seams and Seam Finishes; Darts, Gathers, Tucks, Pleats, etc.

Enjoy!


Seams and Seam Finishes

Year Title Author Publisher
1981 Seam Finishes Lenda Jo Anderson Auburn Univ.
1981 Seam Finishes Linda K . Biles Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1999 Seam Finishes for a Plain Seam Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
2003 Seams and Seam Finishes Linda Heaton Univ. of Kentucky
2011 Sewing Technique- Flat-Felled Seam Jen Giddens, Sarah Geer, Lindsey Shirley, Chanae Weller Utah State Univ.
2012 Sewing Technique- French Seam Sarah Geer, Jen Giddens, Chanae Weller, Lindsey Shirley Utah State Univ.
2012 Creating a Well-Constructed Machine Stitch Sarah Geer, Lindsey Shirley Utah State Univ.
2012 Sewing Techniques: Basting Stitch Shanna Haws, Lindsey Shirley Utah State Univ.
2014 Seams and Seam Finishes Linda Heaton, Marjorie M. Baker Univ. of Kentucky

Darts, Gathers, Tucks, Pleats etc.

Year Title Author Publisher
1955 Machine Stitching and Tucks Helen Rocke Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
2007 Darts, Ease, Gathers, Pleats, Shirring, Tucks Revised by Marjorie M. Baker Univ. of Kentucky
2012 Sewing Technique: Box Pleat Sandra Bradshaw, Lindsay Maxfield, Teisha Thompson, Lindsey Shirley Utah State Univ.
2012 Sewing Technique: Knife Pleats Sandra Bradshaw, Lindsay Maxfield, Teisha Thompson, Lindsey Shirley Utah State Univ.
2012 Sewing Technique: Darts Sandra Bradshaw, Lindsay Maxfield, Teisha Thompson, Lindsey Shirley Utah State Univ.

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Mending: The Hemmed Patch

THE HEMMED PATCH Right handers should sew right to left (as shown) and Lefties, left to right.

Introduction

For this series I am going through an old sewing book and experimenting with the projects within it. The book is called "The Sewing Book, Containing Complete Instructions in Sewing and Simple Garment-making for Children in Primary and Grammar Grades," Edited by Anne L. Jessup, Published by the Butterick Publishing Company, New York NY, 1913. The book is out of copyright (and free to all). It has been scanned as part of the Google Books effort and is available in various formats, visit https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Sewing_Book.html?id=b7wwAQAAMAAJ

Hemmed Patch


[Practice] Supplies

Checked or Striped Gingham, 5 by 5 inches and 3 by 3 inches; White Cotton, no. 50; Needle, No. 8, etc.


[Instructions]

Fold the larger piece of material and cut as before [Fold the larger square diagonally in half and fold again point to point. Measure down from the top of the triangle an inch on each side and cut across, making a square hole in the center representing the hold in the garment where the worn part of the goods around the hold has been cut away evenly.]. If the square is not perfectly accurate, pull a thread of the material at the sides and test the evenness of the edge. In each corner make a diagonal cut a quarter of an inch in depth. If the edges are not cut on a thread and the diagonal cuts in the corners are not the same depth, the patch will look badly.

Turn the edges down on the wrong side of the patch the depth of the cut; place the patch agaist these turned edges, basting the larger piece of goods over the patch, with the tripes or plaids matching. (Ill. No. 3.)

Hem on the right side, and avoid beginning or ending in a corner. Turn to the wrong side and hem the patch on the garment like a flat fell, turning in a quarter of an inch fold. (Ill. No. 4.) This hem or fell should be half an inch in depth.

Note:-- Care must be taken to hold the work properly in hemming the patch down on the wrong side, sewing always from right to left [left handers should work left to right], the stitches being nearly paralell with the edge of the fold and not vertical.

This patch is suitable for any cotton garment which requires laundering or for bed linen. The finished edge makes it strong, but it shows the double row of hemming.i


My Practice Patch

Front view

Front view close up
View from Wrong Side
View from Wrong Side Close Up
Book page with Hemmed Patch Instructions and Illustration


Work in Progress Pictures

squaring off the hole

marking corner cuts

Pressed under edges

Pressed under edges wrong side

I wanted to baste down these edges

Then you press under the edges of the patch (no need to cut off corners) and baste it down under the patch 
Stitching in progress
This shows the basting holding it together as I stitch

Comments

My main piece of advice is be careful about cutting the corners on the garment as you can see in the close up, right side that one corner looks rough. Next piece of advice: when making the hemming stitch, if the needle is at an angle the stitch will look straight vertical, the back side will show a diagonal stitch. I was doing it with the needle vertical, showing a diagonal stitch on the front and vertical on the back (you can see this in the blue thread in the center of the hole).

This is 100% my favorite patch, and I did five kinds. This patch is WASHABLE and with both edges hidden, will not fray. I recommend this patch for all items that go in the washer and dryer.



Thursday, September 29, 2016

Measurement Chart for Women: Fillable, Printable PDF

Free Women's Measuring Chart and Guide Download now
JUST A SAMPLE, the real thing is readable.

If you sew women's clothes, or want to, one essential element is a list of accurate body measurements. I simply cannot understate how important this is to have. In the interest of making my life easier and your life easier, I have made a chart of all the measurements you will need to make garments for any woman you measure.

This chart lists thirty-four separate dimensions of the body. Take them all or just take the ones needed for the garment you want. This chart has all the appropriate dimensions for tops, dresses, skirts, pants and shorts, jumpsuits, and outerwear. (Glove, shoe/sock, and bra-specific measurements not listed.)

You will never need another women's measurement chart.

Do you think I should modify this chart? Let me know in the comments!

This post has been reposted from original post date of 1/16/14, to share the new, updated chart.
  • Spreadsheet version
    • This file is just the chart.
    • View, print, or save just the blank chart as a spreadsheet or PDF.
    • Save a version to your own machine or cloud to fill out, modify, or whatever you want.
  • PDF version
    • This PDF has two pages: one is the chart, the other is a diagram guide.
    • View, print, or save the blank chart.
    • This PDF is a fillable form, save to your machine or cloud to fill out (if you use a mac and want it to stay filled out on another computer, use the save as PDF option in the print menu, won't be re-editable but will be readable).

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Sewing help PDFs: Zippers, snaps, hooks, eyes, buttons, buttonholes, elastic, etc!

Exhalted Notions, 1971

From my apparently interminable supply, here is the ninth post of DOWNLOADABLE PDF pamphlets. I have gathered these from around the web - almost entirely from various American university cooperative extension programs or university archives of such. (If you are not familiar with extension programs, they are pretty cool. They date back to 1914 and are the precursor to community colleges.)

Please note that these are historic resources. They may refer to methods and items that are no longer sold or considered safe (home dry cleaning with gasoline, I'm looking at you). Do not follow such advice without exploring modern resources and using your best judgement. This batch I have one list, Fasteners and Elastics.

Enjoy!


Fasteners & Elastics

Year Title Author Publisher
1955 Knots and Loops Helen Rocke Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1961 Easy Zipper Methods Anna Marie Kreifels Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1971 Bound Buttonholes Jane Speece Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1971 Exalted Notions Jane Speece Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1973 Zipper Methods Anna Marie Kreifels, Jane Speece Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
1983 Buttonholes and Buttons Made Sew-Easy Evelyn L. Brannon Auburn Univ.
2000 Sewing with Elastic Rose Marie Tondl Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
2004 Hooks and Eyes, Snaps, and Tape Fasteners Revised by Marjorie M. Baker Univ. of Kentucky
2004 Hand Zippers Revised by Marjorie M. Baker Univ. of Kentucky
2007 Zippers Revised by Marjorie M. Baker Univ. of Kentucky
2007 Buttons and Buttonholes Revised by Marjorie M. Baker Univ. of Kentucky
2010 Machine Buttonholes Made Easy Revised by Robin C. Mack New Mexico State Univ.
2011 Sewing Technique: Centered Zipper Sara Geer, Jen Giddens, Chance Weller, Lindsey Shirley Utah State Univ.
2011 Sewing Technique: Hand Worked Keyhole Buttonhole Jen Giddens, Sarah Geer, Lindsey Shirley, Chanae Weller
2012 Sewing Technique: Invisible Zipper Jen Giddens, Sarah Geer, Lindsey Shirley, Chanae Weller Utah State Univ.
2012 Sewing Technique: Lapped Zipper Sandra Bradshaw, Lindsay Maxfield, Teisha Thompson, Lindsey Shirley Utah State Univ.
2012 Sewing Technique: Buttons Sandra Bradshaw Utah State Univ.
2012 Sewing Technique: Attaching Garment Fasteners Sandra Bradshaw, Teisha Thompson, Lindsay Maxfield, Lindsey Shirley Utah State Univ.

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Sewing Machines, Sergers, Needles, Threads, Reference Charts - PDFs!



Here is another list of DOWNLOADABLE PDF pamphlets I have gathered from around the web - almost entirely from various American university cooperative extension programs or university archives of such. (If you are not familiar with extension programs, they are pretty cool. They date back to 1914 and are the precursor to community colleges.) This is the fifth post in my Resource series.

Please note that these are historic resources. They may refer to methods and items that are no longer sold or considered safe (home dry cleaning with gasoline, I'm looking at you). Do not follow such advice without exploring modern resources and using your best judgement. This batch I have two lists: Sewing Machines and Sergers; and Needles, Threads, Glossaries, Charts.

Enjoy!

Sewing Machines and Sergers

Year Title Author Publisher
1932 Know Your Sewing Machine Paul R. Hoff Univ. Nebraska, Lincoln
1943 Your Sewing Machine: Care and Adjustment Lucy R. Lane Oregon State Univ.
1950 Cleaning and Adjusting Your Sewing Machine Helen Rocke, John C. Steele Univ. Nebraska, Lincoln
1950 Buying a Sewing Machine Julia E. Brekke North Dakota Ag. College
1956 Your Sewing Machine Julia E. Brekke North Dakota Ag. College
1956 Satisfaction from Your Sewing Machine Helen Rocke Univ. Nebraska, Lincoln
1979 Measure Your Sew - How: Sewing Tools Becky Saunders Texas A&M Univ.
1981 Measure Your Sew - How: Thread Tips Ann Vanderpoorten Texas A&M Univ.
1981 Measure Your Sew - How: Solving Common Sewing Machine Problems Beverly Rhoades Texas A&M Univ.
1992 Clothing Management: Serger Sense Louise Young Utah State University
1993 Buying a Serger Rose Marie Tondl, Kathleen Heiden Univ. Nebraska, Lincoln
1996 What You Ought To Know About Sewing Machine Needles Rose Marie Tondl Univ. Nebraska, Lincoln
2007 Serger Basics Marjorie Baker Univ. of Kentucky
2008 Selecting a Serger Marjorie Baker Univ. of Kentucky

Needles, Threads, Glossaries, Charts...

Year Title Author Publisher
1969 As you Sew with Suitable Thread Gerda Petersen Univ. Nebraska, Lincoln
1991 Thread Facts Rose Marie Tondl, Wendy Rich Univ. Nebraska, Lincoln
2002 A Thread of Truth: A Factual Look at Sewing Thread -- YLI Corp.
2006 Glossary of Sewing Terms from Cynthia Klumpp Texas A&M Univ.
2006 Personal Measurement Chart from Becky Culp Texas A&M Univ.
2008 Basic Sewing Supplies Debra Proctor, Ronda H. Olsen, Karen Biers Utah State Univ.
2011 Sewing Glossary Sarah Geer, Lindsey Shirley Utah State Univ.
2011 Finest Quality Hand Sewing Needles

--
John James Needles
2016 Women's Measurement Chart

--
Handmade on Broadway

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Quick hit: Remove Annoying Garment Tags and Tacks!

 How to Remove Annoying Tags on Clothes

YOU CAN remove the single straight line of stitching to get this tag off!
We've all experienced giant, flappy, or worse, itchy garment tags. Good news, everybody! Many tags can be removed without damaging the garment and with hardly any effort.
  1. Determine how the label is attached.
  2. If attached with a single, independent line of stitches, rip out with seam ripper, razor blade, manicure scissors/clippers, etc.
  3. There are only two steps!
YOU CAN remove the single straight line of stitching to get this tag out!
I like to use a seam ripper
Ta Da!
 Ivory garment and multicolored garment with black stitching: Examples of one independent line of stitching for just the tag; these tags are suitable for being removed.

DO NOT try to remove stitching to get this tag out!
Orange/white garment with orange stitching: Example of tag sewn on with a construction seam and NOT suitable for removal. This tag is installed in a serged seam (very common).

DO NOT try to remove stitching to get this tag out!
Purple garment: Example of tag sewn on with a construction seam and NOT suitable for removal. This tag is installed in a flat felled seam.
If you are very compelled to remove all tags because of special needs or extra sensitive skin, it is possible to rip apart a construction seam to get the tag out and restitch the seam with matching thread. This is more advanced but any person who sews or tailor/dry cleaner can easily do it. Obviously you can also just trim the tag down with scissors but I find this to be still itchy.

While we're at it...

Remove Ugly Thread Tacks!

Do you see the ugly thread tack? It's black and right in the middle.
I like to use a seam ripper.
Looks Great! A quick press will get those tiny holes to disappear.
Bonus content today is an example of a thread tack - the type used often in pants to hold on paper/cardboard size & brand labels for easy identification in store. These tacks are MEANT TO BE REMOVED. Use that trusty blade (seam ripper, razor blade, manicure scissors/clippers, etc.) to remove these little buggers and leave the house in style.
Image from RealMenRealStyle who are just as annoyed by this as I am
Dude, I recently watched a whole play where freaking Benedic (the lead in Much Ado About Nothing) had not removed the cross stitch from his obviously-new suit jacket. Child, you look silly. Remove this tack and you will look fly. If you're wondering why it's even there, it's so the garment hangs nicely on the rack and for ease of transport. BTW, temporary stitching is also used for pockets and lapels on jackets, pockets on pants, pleats in things like skirts, and holding the brand name label to the cuff of jackets and coats.
I will say my mum does not remove basting stitches on pants pockets because she prefers the smooth line of a no-pocket pant. Personally I use pockets all the time, whether for hands, or objects, and therefore automatically remove all basting stitches. Team pockets.