Resewing a blown seam

Seams take much of the strain on clothing and equipment — and they are worn down by sun, weather and mechanical chafing against rock and branch. If the thread in the seam wears through, the opening grows fast. A small opening turns into a large hole before the next trip is over.

Catch it early: as soon as you see an open seam or a thread that has broken, sew over it.

Materials

• Sewing machine with straight stitch
• Sewing thread in a matching colour — preferably polyester for longer durability than cotton
• Pins

How to do it

1. Lay the work flat on the sewing table — do not let it hang down and pull on the fabric
2. Bring the seam together so the sides lie as before
3. For folded seams (such as tent seams) — fold them evenly and use pins to hold the layers
4. Sew with straight stitch where the seam was before:
   • Stitch length 1.5-2.5 on light fabrics
   • Stitch length 2.5-4 on heavier fabrics
5. Start and finish 1 cm beyond the opened part — on the seam that is still intact
6. Sew back and forth ~1 cm at the start and finish to lock the seam
7. Remove pins as you sew

Tips

• Match the thread to the original — or a similar colour. It shows less.
• Thinner needle for thin fabrics — particularly waterproof shell garments. A large needle makes unnecessary holes.
• Clean away old rotted thread before you sew new — it gives a neater result and a better hold

By hand

If you do not have a sewing machine, you can sew by hand. Use back stitch — stronger than ordinary running stitch. A little slower but it holds.

On the trip — temporary

If the seam blows mid-trip:

• Sew by hand with the thread you have in your first-aid kit
• Or use canvas tape (gaffer) as a temporary solution
• When you get home: clean away the tape and sew over it properly

Back to Repair → · Sewing holes and tears → · Repair on the trip →

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Text: Lars Peters and Snuitide (2022), revised 2026.