Mending and alterations supplies
A small kit for buttons, hems, seams and simple alterations.
Bobbin's checklist
Keep neutral thread for quick repairs, plus a reel of extra-strong thread: Gütermann describes its Extra Strong as tear-resistant and made for heavily stressed seams and repair work.
Keep neutral thread for quick repairs, plus a reel of extra-strong thread: Gütermann describes its Extra Strong as tear-resistant and made for heavily stressed seams and repair work.
£Mending basics
- All-purpose thread in neutrals: covers most repairs.
- Assorted hand needles: sharps for general sewing.
- Seam ripper: for unpicking hems and seams.
- Spare buttons, snaps and hooks: small fastenings fail first.
- Tailor's chalk and pins: to mark new seam lines.
££Stronger repairs
- Extra-strong thread: for heavily stressed seams and repair work (Gütermann Extra Strong).
- Thimble: pushes needles through thick fabric.
- Iron-on mending patches: quick hidden repairs on the inside.
£££Alterations
- Blind hem foot: for invisible machine hems.
- Jeans needles: for hemming denim (SCHMETZ).
Sources
All checked 1 November 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.