Thrifters: How do you fix a price tag puncture in shirt fabric?

[coffeecupman]

Hi guys,

Recently I really scored at the local thrift store. I found three Brooks Brothers shirts for an average price of $5 each. I thought I had really hit the mother lode this time

After I got home, I went to cut the tags off of my shirts, only to find that the knuckleheads who priced the shirts punctured the fabric with the plastic tags. In one case this is on the cuff, in another close to the collar.

I know if I just try to ignore these holes that they will quickly grow, making my shirts a false economy. I didn't buy Brooks Brothers shirts to look like a 1990's Seattle grunge fan.

So, what do you guys do when you find a puncture in nice shirt fabric? Is there a product that can be applied to stop the fraying and keep the hole from growing? The fabric is far too fine to be woven back together like some coarser-knit garments can be.

I have seen people recommend iron on patches, but in these puncture locations it seems as though that will look terrible. Should I iron on a patch from the underside only and leave it there? What brand/make of patch yields the best results for this?

I have heard people suggest Krazy Glue, but then others say that that will ultimately do more harm than good, damaging the fibers around it.

Incidentally, I am going in to the store manager to get them to train the staff on how not to ruin shirts, since this is to be their business.

Thanks,
ccm

 

[SpooPoker]

 

[ethanm]

The fabric is far too fine to be woven back together like some coarser-knit garments can be.

lolwut.

 

[jrd617]

My first instinct would be to use a bit of cloth tape, but I'm kind of a noob when it comes to repairing stuff. I suggest you get in contact with either member "Reevolving" or "iroh"

 

[SpooPoker]

Did you try steaming it?

 

[KObalto]



Did you try steaming it?

+1. It shouldn't grow. It should relax with time and pretty much disappear. Steaming will aid this.

 

[coffeecupman]

This is a legit puncture. It's not just the threads moved aside. Threads are broken. I don't want to agitate it until I know how to keep the broken threads from unraveling further.

ccm

 

[pnutpug]

Pix or it didn't happen.

 

[TGOL]

Throw one of the shirts in the wash. I would be surprised if it doesn't heal up. I've purchased new shirts (at Old Navy, admittedly) that have tags punched through them, and they haven't fallen apart appreciably faster than Old Navy shirts usually do.

The worst case scenario is that you're out fifteen dollars. Brown-bag your lunch for the next three Tuesdays and chalk it up to experience.

 

[MyOtherLife]

Move to Seattle.

 

[coffeecupman]

Pix or it didn't happen.

Good idea, but I'm working offshore at the moment. So I'm a thousand miles away from the shirts.

I'll post some pics when I get home on Thursday.

ccm

 

[coffeecupman]

Move to Seattle.

And get a time machine. It's an option.

Hmm. I really thought more people here would have had some useful experience with repairing a puncture in a shirt.

ccm

 

[coffeecupman]

The worst case scenario is that you're out fifteen dollars. Brown-bag your lunch for the next three Tuesdays and chalk it up to experience.

Thanks for these words of wisdom. I was really on the edge prior to this.

ccm

 

[MikeDT]



And get a time machine.  It's an option.

Hmm.  I really thought more people here would have had some useful experience with repairing a puncture in a shirt.

ccm 

Because most MC SFers are ballin', and have no need to thrift second hand shirts.

 

[tben]

Did you try steaming it?

This. And the answer is 7.