Repairing merino shirts

[whitefang]

Hi,

I'm just looking for some advice on how to repair some holes and worn areas in my two main shirts for hiking. Most of the damage is on the shirt I use to walk in which is an Icebreaker Aero half zip made from 120 weight merino and the other I have is a 200 weight merino long sleeve. I'm new to sewing and repairing my gear, but I'd rather fix them now before the problem gets so bad I need to replace them completely.

I have two main questions: 1) What method would you use to repair them; and 2) What material would you use to fix them and where would eb the best place to source materials from.

I have included some photos of the different sorts of damage on the Aero half zip.

Cheers,

whitefang.

[Avatar]

I would just sew up the runs, even those that end at holes, with black polyester or cotton. Do it now. This works well, is hard to see and lasts for years if you do it finely and neatly.
For the holes, they really call for darning which is just a hash weave using slightly thicker thread. In both cases you need to make sure you are using enough of the undamaged substrate so it won't pull apart behind the stitching.

[andrewa]

Yes, I agree. Learn how to darn (Google). Easily repairable, with some old fashioned skills.

A

[Moondog55]

Darn them but I would use polyester thread in preference to cotton, personal choice tho.
Use fine thread and a small needle and tiny stitching for the best repair