Most faults in children’s clothes need one of three fixes: sew on a new button, hand-stitch or darn a small hole, or add a patch over a knee or large tear. Loose buttons and small seam splits take minutes with a needle and thread. Bigger holes and worn knees do best with a machine or visible patch. Save the tricky stuff, like invisible reweaving or leather repairs, for a professional mender.
TL;DR:
- Small faults like loose buttons or minor seam splits can be fixed quickly with hand sewing, often in less than five minutes.
- Heavier repairs such as patching knees or elbows work best with matching fabric and may require machine sewing or visible patches for durability.
- Iron-on patches are suitable for woven fabrics like denim or cotton but tend to peel on stretch fabrics, requiring additional stitching for longevity.
- Professional repair services are recommended for invisible mending, leather repairs, or complex zipper replacements, usually costing between $20 and $60.
- Proper care after mending, such as washing inside out and avoiding high heat, significantly extends the lifespan of repaired clothing.
Table of Contents
- Everyday quick fixes: step-by-step for buttons, small holes and hem repairs
- Patching and visible mending (including a simple Sashiko intro and workflow)
- Iron-on patches: realistic pros, cons and best-practice application
- Tools, materials and a compact mending kit for busy families
- When to use a professional mender: services, typical price bands and what to ask
- Learn to mend: workshops, community repair cafés and how we support durable kidswear
- Tips for repairing various fabric types commonly found in kids clothing
- How to care for repaired clothes to extend their lifespan
- Safety considerations when repairing kids clothes
- Why repair matters to us
- Durable basics that make mending worthwhile
- FAQ
- Sources
Everyday quick fixes: step-by-step for buttons, small holes and hem repairs
Most kids’ clothing faults fall into three categories, and each has a reliable fix you can do at the kitchen table.
- Thread your needle with a doubled length of polyester or cotton thread, about 40cm, and knot the end.
- Position the button where the old stitching marks sit, then push the needle up through the fabric and the button’s first hole.
- Stitch through each hole four or five times, crossing in an X pattern for four-hole buttons, then wind the thread twice around the base to create a thread shank before knotting off underneath.
- Reinforce the area with a few small stitches through the fabric layer only, which stops the button from pulling through weakened fabric again.
For small seam splits, a backstitch gives the strongest hold: it loops back on itself with every stitch, unlike a running stitch that can pull apart under a toddler’s tug. A whipstitch works well for reinforcing a small hole’s edges before you patch over it, stopping fraying from spreading. Quick hem fixes (catching a dropped hem with a few whipstitches) take less than five minutes and stop fraying before it turns into a bigger repair job.
Patching and visible mending (including a simple Sashiko intro and workflow)
Patch fabric should match the weight and stretch of the original garment: denim offcuts for jeans, cotton knit scraps for tees, and a bit of stretch for anything with elastane, as detailed in this step by step sustainable t-shirt printing guide. A mismatched patch, say a rigid cotton square on a stretchy legging, tends to pucker or tear free within a few washes.
- Underpatch a hole by placing fabric behind the tear and stitching around the edges, which keeps the repair less visible from the front.
- Overpatch for extra durability on knees and elbows, stitching a patch on top where it takes the brunt of future wear.
- Layer both on heavy-use spots like trouser knees for a repair that outlasts the rest of the garment.
Sashiko is a Japanese technique built on a simple running stitch, originally used to reinforce thinning cotton textiles, and it turns a mend into a decorative feature rather than something to hide. A grid or wave pattern stitched over a patch in contrasting thread reinforces the fabric while giving the garment a bit of character.
Pro Tip: Pre-wash your patch fabric before stitching it on, so any shrinkage happens before it is attached rather than after.
Iron-on patches: realistic pros, cons and best-practice application
Iron-on patches suit woven cottons and denim, but they tend to peel off stretch knits, fleece and anything that flexes a lot during play, since the adhesive can’t move with the fabric.
- Trim frayed edges and clean the area before applying, so the adhesive bonds to fabric rather than loose threads.
- Press firmly with a hot iron for the time stated on the patch packaging, using a damp cloth between the iron and patch if recommended.
- Stitch around the edge afterwards if the item goes through frequent washing, since stitching outlasts adhesive alone.
- Avoid tumble drying on high heat for the first few washes, which can loosen the bond before it fully cures.
Tools, materials and a compact mending kit for busy families
A compact kit covers most repairs without cluttering a drawer.
- Needles in a few sizes, plus a darning needle for knits and jumpers.
- Thread in cotton or polyester, with a spool of embroidery thread for visible mending.
- Small scissors, a thimble, and a stash of spare buttons saved from old garments.
- Fabric scraps from worn-out clothes, thrift-store finds, or patch packs picked up at local workshops.
Pro Tip: Keep a small tin of mismatched buttons from clothes you’ve already discarded. It’s the cheapest way to always have a close match on hand.
Buy cheap, sharp scissors reserved only for fabric, since using them on paper dulls the blade fast. Check thread and small buttons are stored well out of reach of babies and toddlers between repair sessions.
When to use a professional mender: services, typical price bands and what to ask
Some jobs are better left to someone with specialist tools and experience: invisible mending that reweaves thread harvested from the garment’s own hem, complex zipper replacements, leather repairs, and anything on a designer or sentimental piece you can’t risk getting wrong.
- Basic re-stitch or small hole repair typically sits at the lower end of a repair price list, often in the low double-digits.
- Invisible hand-sewing generally runs from around $20 to $60 depending on fabric and damage, drawing on the garment’s own threads to blend the repair.
- Zipper replacement tends to fall between $30 and $60, varying by zip type and garment construction.
When requesting a quote, photograph the damage in good light from a couple of angles, note the fabric type if you know it, and ask about turnaround time and whether they can match thread or weave closely. Under Australian Consumer Law, if a fault is a manufacturing defect rather than ordinary wear, you may be entitled to a free repair or replacement from the original retailer instead of paying out of pocket.
Learn to mend: workshops, community repair cafés and how we support durable kidswear
A short mending workshop, usually one to two hours, typically covers button replacement, basic darning, appliqué and a simple Sashiko introduction, with materials supplied so you can turn up empty-handed.
- Community repair cafés and patch-stash swaps, like the patch cutting sessions some councils and universities run, hand out reclaimed fabric and connect you with other menders.
- Denim-focused sessions on Sashiko stitching build confidence fast, often in a single guided sitting.
We have stocked organic, ethically made kidswear since 2007, and durability has always been part of why we choose the brands we carry. Our guide to choosing organic baby clothes that grow with your child and our notes on picking clothes that last through siblings and cousins cover what to look for in fabric and construction before a single stitch is ever needed.
Tips for repairing various fabric types commonly found in kids clothing
Cotton is the easiest fabric to mend: it holds a stitch well, takes a patch cleanly, and tolerates hand-sewing or machine work equally well. Match thread weight to the garment, lighter cotton thread for a singlet, heavier for denim overalls.
Fleece frays less than woven fabric but stretches, so a whipstitch with some give works better than a tight backstitch, which can pucker the pile. Avoid ironing fleece directly, since heat can flatten or melt synthetic fibres.
Denim is forgiving and strong, ideal for both machine patching and Sashiko reinforcement on knees, but needs a sturdy needle (a denim or heavy-duty needle if sewing by machine) to get through the weave without snapping thread.
Synthetics like polyester blends and activewear fabrics often have some stretch, so choose a patch fabric with matching give and a stitch that flexes, like a loose zigzag or herringbone, rather than a rigid straight stitch that will pop under movement. Iron-on patches generally don’t hold well on these fabrics, so stitching is the safer bet.
Whatever the fabric, matching the repair material to the original, as recommended in ABC’s guide to mending your own clothes, gives the best chance the repair lasts as long as the rest of the garment.
How to care for repaired clothes to extend their lifespan
A repair is only as good as the care it gets afterwards. Turn mended garments inside out before washing to reduce friction on the stitched or patched area, and use a gentle or delicates cycle where the fabric allows.
Skip the tumble dryer on high heat for anything with an iron-on patch or fresh stitching, since heat and tumbling stress a repair before the thread or adhesive has settled in. Air drying flat or on a line is gentler on both the mend and the surrounding fabric.
When storing repaired clothes, fold rather than hang anything with a patch near the shoulder or neckline, since a hanger can put ongoing strain on a repaired seam. Check mended spots every few washes and re-stitch loose threads early, before a small gap turns into a bigger hole.
Safety considerations when repairing kids clothes
Small parts matter more in children’s clothing than almost anywhere else. Choose buttons, snaps and decorative beads that are securely stitched and large enough to avoid becoming a choking hazard, especially for clothes worn by children under three.
Avoid using pins as a permanent fix. A pin left in a seam, even temporarily, is a real risk around babies and toddlers who put clothing in their mouths or roll around on it. Finish every repair with proper stitching before the garment goes back into rotation.
Check that any fabric glue or adhesive used for a quick fix is fully cured and odour-free before a child wears the item, and keep sharp tools like seam rippers and pins stored well away from little hands between repair sessions. When in doubt about the safety of a patch material or a loose decorative trim, it’s simpler to remove and replace it than to leave it in place.
Why repair matters to us
We’ve built our business on clothes made to survive real childhoods, not just look good in photos. My own rule: fix one small thing the week it happens, before it becomes a bigger job. Try it this week, and tell us how your first mend turns out.
— Daniel
Durable basics that make mending worthwhile
Some garments are simply worth the extra ten minutes with a needle. Our DUNS Sweden Clover Dungarees in Sulphur Green are built from sturdy organic cotton that take a knee patch or a Sashiko repair well, and the same goes for the DUNS Sweden Clover Tee in Green Ash and the DUNS Sweden Clover Tee in Radiant Yellow.
A practical trick many families use: keep one old basic tee or romper aside purely as a patch donor for future repairs. Browse our full range of baby clothes and kids clothes for pieces built to last. Shipping is a flat $7.95, free over $97, and every order comes with 30-day easy returns and exchanges.
FAQ
How can I repair ripped clothes?
Small rips respond well to a backstitch along the tear, worked from the inside so the repair sits less visibly. Larger rips need a patch, either stitched underneath for a hidden fix or on top for extra strength in high-wear spots like knees.
How much should I charge for mending clothes?
Pricing varies by job and region, but local Australian repair price lists show basic hole repairs starting in the low double-digits, invisible hand-sewing from around $20 to $60, and zipper replacement between $30 and $60. Rates depend on fabric, damage size and the mender’s experience.
What is the Japanese way to repair clothes?
Sashiko is a traditional Japanese technique using a simple, repeating running stitch to reinforce worn or torn cotton fabric. It began as a practical way to strengthen thinning textiles and has become a popular visible mending style that turns a repair into a decorative feature.
How can I fix a tear or hole in a piece of clothing?
Small holes can be darned or hand-stitched closed with a whipstitch around the edges to stop further fraying. Bigger holes need a patch, matched in weight and stretch to the original fabric, stitched or ironed on depending on the material.
Is it worth repairing kids clothes instead of replacing them?
Repairing extends a garment’s usable life and helps address a real waste problem: Australians sent 220,000 tonnes of clothing to landfill in 2024, roughly equivalent to 880 million items. Starting with simple fixes like buttons before moving to patches makes mending approachable for beginners.
Sources
- Problem with a product or service you bought — ACCC
- Repairing your own clothes is easier than you think — ABC News
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