Picked up a 1970s Pendleton blazer at a thrift shop for $12 last Saturday - smelled like grandma's attic but the stitching is rock solid

I was in Portland visiting my brother and wandered into this tiny thrift store off Hawthorne. Found this grey herringbone Pendleton that fits like it was tailored for me. Got it home and realized there's a small moth nip near the elbow. Any tips for mending vintage wool without making it look like a patch job? I don't want to ruin the pattern.

2 comments

2 Comments

jennifersmith1mo ago

Oh, have you tried the "invisible mending" trick with a matching thread and a felting needle? I had a similar spot on an old wool skirt and was so nervous about messing it up. What worked for me was gently teasing the threads back together with a tiny crochet hook, then using a felting needle to blend the fibers into the cloth. You can also try darning it with a wool thread that matches the herringbone pattern and then gently steaming it to help it lay flat. It takes some patience but the pattern stays clean and it doesn't look like a patch at all.

finley_harris51mo ago

Used to think invisible mending was just one of those things that sounded good but never really worked... @jennifersmith your breakdown of the process changed my mind on that. The tiny crochet hook trick especially makes so much sense for getting the threads lined up right. Always figured you'd have to just cover the spot with a patch or embroidery, but blending the fibers back in sounds way cleaner. Definitely gonna give the felting needle a try on a pair of trousers I almost tossed out.