Restoring Ribbon Bar Loop?

[goonch7471]

Hi all, I am an aspiring tailor. I had a client take a M34/M38 SD Standartenfuhrer tunic to me for fixing. He is a bit of an idiot and cut a vertical slit just above the pocket, where a ribbon bar would go. (will post pics later) He called me, and asked me to fix it, he told me that he sewed it shut, so now it sticks up and is noticeable. How should I fix it so nobody can see that it was cut? It is a rare tunic, and is in excellent condition, I would hate to let this slit ruin it, and I won't take it to anyone else, he doesn't want anyone touching it. Any suggestions?

Thanks

[Waffenreich]

Goonch,

The BEST way to fix this is to follow these instructions:

* Go to Michael’s or some other fabric/craft store and buy a roll of “Stitch Witchery”. It’s a product that looks like white spider webs cut into a 3/4” strip and rolled up.

* Gently unstitch his botched job and have the two sides of the slit meet as if the slit wasn’t there. To get a clean joint you may have to very slightly trim where the fabric has teased due the stitches being run in and out.

* When you’re satisfied with the joint, open it and tuck a strip of the Stitch Witchery beneath the center line of the joint. Make sure it extends past the length of the slit and is on each side of the line of the slit.


* Remate the joint as best you can without gathering the fabric. It must lay flat on the Stitch Witchery.

* Cover the slit with a paper towel and then apply a very hot iron to it. DO NOT have the steam on when you do this as it will break down the adhesive properties of the Stitch Witchery. Run the iron around to keep it moving so it doesn't scorch the fabric and make sure you stay on the paper.

* Using a knife tip or something thin, try to gently lift the fabric at the sides of the slit to see if you have satisfactory adhesion.

* Wool is a piece of cale as any tiny voids can be filled with scrapings from an inconspicuous part of the tunic. Gabardine can be done to prrfection, but requires a little more dilligence due to the linear weave of the fabric.

I’ve used this method for nearly 30 years of restoration and it always works.

PM me if you want to talk more and I’ll pass you my phone #.

Good luck!!

Regards!

Bob

[goonch7471]

Goonch,

The BEST way to fix this is to follow these instructions:

* Go to Michael’s or some other fabric/craft store and buy a roll of “Stitch Witchery”. It’s a product that looks like white spider webs cut into a 3/4” strip and rolled up.

* Gently unstitch his botched job and have the two sides of the slit meet as if the slit wasn’t there. To get a clean joint you may have to very slightly trim where the fabric has teased due the stitches being run in and out.

* When you’re satisfied with the joint, open it and tuck a strip of the Stitch Witchery beneath the center line of the joint. Make sure it extends past the length of the slit and is on each side of the line of the slit.


* Remate the joint as best you can without gathering the fabric. It must lay flat on the Stitch Witchery.

* Cover the slit with a paper towel and then apply a very hot iron to it. DO NOT have the steam on when you do this as it will break down the adhesive properties of the Stitch Witchery. Run the iron around to keep it moving so it doesn't scorch the fabric and make sure you stay on the paper.

* Using a knife tip or something thin, try to gently lift the fabric at the sides of the slit to see if you have satisfactory adhesion.

* Wool is a piece of cale as any tiny voids can be filled with scrapings from an inconspicuous part of the tunic. Gabardine can be done to prrfection, but requires a little more dilligence due to the linear weave of the fabric.

I’ve used this method for nearly 30 years of restoration and it always works.

PM me if you want to talk more and I’ll pass you my phone #.

Good luck!!

Regards!

Bob

Thanks so much Bob, I really appreciate it. It is a beautiful tunic, and I really want to do a good job on it. The M38 without piping used to belong to Standartenfuhrer Otto Kumm, and is a really rare (and expensive) tunic.

[Stickfigure21]

Just curious as to what ever happened. Did bob’s method work? If so, was the client happy with your restoration?


- Steve