Learn the Art of Repair: Four Tips to Get You Started

We all need to relearn old lessons that our grandparents failed to teach us. Home Economics might not be a standard class in school anymore, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t need to know the very standard yet effective methods necessary to repair items around the home. Clothes, toys, upholstery, faucets, appliances – the list can go on forever. Many fixes are easy to do, and most items that break don’t need to be replaced.

By using these four tips, you can make better use out of everything you own by mastering the art of repair:

1.   Learn Basic Skills by Practicing First

There are a few basics skills that you are going to want to know first. As clothes are one of the most commonly repaired items, it’s a good idea to start here. Learn a few essential sewing techniques, like backstitching or ladder stitching, and, more importantly, when to use them.

As you build upon the basics, you’ll be introduced to more advanced repairs that will really help you prolong the life of your items.

2.   Always Look Up Advice Before You Start

When actually attempting to fix an item, it is always a good idea to double-check what you need to do if you are in any way unsure. How to clean a specific stain, how to mend a hole in your shirt, or how to fix a worn-down patch on your sofa. There are tips and tricks, and even full-blown video guides out there to help you tackle each individual project with confidence.

 

3.   Don’t Be Afraid to Invest in Lessons

In the past, these lessons were taught to us by our parents and grandparents, but we have become disconnected from repairing items to the point where adults are signing up to “Adult School” just to learn critical skills like how to sew on a button.

Don’t be afraid to invest in these lessons if you feel that you need them. Simple sewing techniques might be easy to learn on your own, but more advanced techniques, like swiss darning knitwear, is something else entirely, and investing in lessons can help you master these skills for better repairs.

4.   When DIY Doesn’t Cut It

Though there are many instances where you can easily tackle repair jobs around the home, even just by following a YouTube video guide. In some cases, however, doing it yourself is sure to cause more harm than good. Carpet stains can be a complicated matter, and if you’re at-home carpet cleaner just isn’t cutting it, you need to stop before you attempt even more drastic measures.

Tough stain removal from carpets and even other upholstered items like sofas or upholstered chairs should be left to the professionals. You wouldn’t try to fix your HVAC unit or your boiler on your own, because it’s beyond your scope of understanding. Getting touch stains out is a chemistry, and more often than not, needs a professional machine to clear away.

Maintenance is Better than Repair

Though this article is about learning the art of repair, it is essential to remember that maintenance goes a long way. By simply taking better care of your items and maintaining them on a consistent schedule, you can prevent breaks from happening.