Patch a tear in a pillow

Introduzione

My pillow got a 6 cm tear in the washing machine, which lets feathers fall out. Here I will show you how to patch a similar tear using needle and thread.

I could also attach a patch by ironing it on, but I don’t like how after a while the edges get loose. What is more the patch should stay flush to the pillow so it doesn’t push out.

Cosa ti serve

Passo 1 Stitch the tear shut

Patch a tear in a pillow, Stitch the tear shut: passo 1, immagine 1 di 1

Stitch the tear shut so no more feathers can fall out, for example with an overcast or a herringbone stitch. I used the latter as it stays nice and flush.
This stitch doesn’t have to be super pretty, you will be covering it with the patch anyways. Its purpose is only to stabilize the tear so it doesn’t get bigger and the patch can stay clean and flush to the pillow

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Passo 2 Cut the patch

Patch a tear in a pillow, Cut the patch: passo 2, immagine 1 di 3

Patch a tear in a pillow, Cut the patch: passo 2, immagine 2 di 3

Patch a tear in a pillow, Cut the patch: passo 2, immagine 3 di 3

Cut a 3cm / 1” wide strip of fabric so that the long side is about 3cm longer than the tear.
The fabric should be robust however not too thick. I have a piece of poplin, creton or twill would’ve been adequate as well.
Round the edges.
Lay the fabric on the tear so that it protrudes about 1,5 / ½” on each side of the tear.
Attach the patch with pins.

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Passo 3 Secure the thread

Patch a tear in a pillow, Secure the thread: passo 3, immagine 1 di 3

Patch a tear in a pillow, Secure the thread: passo 3, immagine 2 di 3

Patch a tear in a pillow, Secure the thread: passo 3, immagine 3 di 3

Stitch into the fabric of the pillow right next to the edge of the patch. Bring the needle out 2-3 mm further by stitching through the fabric of the pillow and the patch.
Then stitch back in at the stitching point and out at the same stitching point. Repeat this a second time.
Now the initial thread is secured.

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Passo 4 Sew on the patch (1)

Patch a tear in a pillow, Sew on the patch (1): passo 4, immagine 1 di 3

Patch a tear in a pillow, Sew on the patch (1): passo 4, immagine 2 di 3

Patch a tear in a pillow, Sew on the patch (1): passo 4, immagine 3 di 3

Now slide the end of the thread under the patch.
Stitch back into the pillow fabric about 2 mm below the first stitching point and bring the needle out 2-3 mm further by stitching through the pillow fabric and the patch.
Sew all the way around the patch in this manner.
The stitches should be at least 1 mm apart. It looks nice if the stitches are really close together, like a satin stitch, but then the fabric will tear more easily.
However, the stitches should not be more than 2 mm apart either, because otherwise the seam is not stable enough and the patch can easily fray.
Do not pull the thread too tight. The patch should lie completely flat and smoothly on the pillow, there should be no bulge at the edge that could interfere later.

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Passo 5 Sewing on the patch (2)

Patch a tear in a pillow, Sewing on the patch (2): passo 5, immagine 1 di 1

While sewing the patch on, turn the pillow so that you can always pierce from the right (or from the left if you are left-handed).

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Passo 6 Secure the thread

Patch a tear in a pillow, Secure the thread: passo 6, immagine 1 di 3

Patch a tear in a pillow, Secure the thread: passo 6, immagine 2 di 3

Patch a tear in a pillow, Secure the thread: passo 6, immagine 3 di 3

When you have sewn the last stitch, stitch again into the same entry point and out the same exit point.
Repeat this a second time.

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Passo 7

Patch a tear in a pillow: passo 7, immagine 3 di 3

Stitch a third time into the stitching point of the last stitch and out again at its stitching point. Do not pull the thread completely tight, but leave a small loop.
Pass the needle through the loop and pull it tight.
Then weave the needle through the fabric a few times, pull it out and cut just above the last stitch out point.

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Passo 8 Finished

Patch a tear in a pillow, Finished: passo 8, immagine 1 di 1

And this is what it looks like when it is done. Because of the flat seam you won't even notice the patch when there is a cover over it.

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Conclusione

As the pillow will go inside a pillowcase it doesn’t matter if the patch is visible. If you want to patch a pillow which won’t have a case you can look for various Techniques on Visible Mending, to make your repair a work of art.