A Stitch in Time Saves a Dime

Recently I discovered that a pair of my winter pyjamas had a number of holes in the top. Now these aren’t the cheapest of pyjamas but I have had them for a solid couple of years and they’ve been worn quite a lot. So, it’s hardly surprising that they’ve suffered a bit of wear and tear. This really got me thinking though, in today’s ‘throwaway’ society fast fashion has taken hold and it’s so easy to just toss something like a pyjama set when they start to get a bit holey and simply buy a new pair.

In my case though, I managed to notice the holes before they got too big so I figured that I’d just take a few minutes to sew them up. Leaving the holes as they were could also have been an option, however they would have gradually increased in size particularly when washed and just brings forward the need for a new pair. So, I did what I said I was going to and stitched up the holes that had appeared. It didn’t take long and you can’t even tell they were there.

This has meant that I do not have to purchase a new set of winter pyjamas but have extended the life of my current pair. It’s a significant saving and I’m hoping they might even last another couple of years (even if I do need to do a few more repair jobs). After all, what does it really matter what they look like when I only wear them to bed anyway?

I’ll be honest, I do this with pretty much everything, socks, tops and underwear. It’s amazing that sometimes such small holes can develop but a few stitches makes an item last for months or even years after the repair. I even keep some clear nail polish in my desk drawer at work as sometimes I find myself with holes or ladders in my stockings. Sometimes these holes appear in the feet and a quick coat of nail varnish on the area makes a single pair of stockings last for several more weeks or even months before I have to buy new ones. If no one can see where the hole is & it’s patched- what does it matter?

How has a needle & thread saved you money?