A missing button drops a jacket's value by 30%. A five-minute repair restores it. Basic repairs are among the highest-ROI activities in reselling—small time investment, significant value recovery.

You don't need to be a tailor. These repairs require minimal skill and basic supplies.

Essential Repair Kit

Stock these supplies and you'll handle 90% of repairs:

Sewing needles (assorted sizes), thread (black, white, navy, basic colors), scissors, seam ripper, spare buttons (assorted), fabric glue (Aleene's or similar), beeswax or candle stub (for zippers), lint roller, and a small flashlight for inspection.

Total investment: under $30. Pays for itself on the first repair.

Repair-by-Repair Guide

Loose or Missing Buttons

Time: 5-10 minutes

Skill level: Beginner

Method: Thread needle with matching thread (doubled). Knot the end. Position button, push needle up through fabric and button hole, then down through adjacent hole. Repeat 4-6 times creating an "X" pattern. Wrap thread around the shank (between button and fabric) several times for stability. Push needle through fabric, knot on inside, cut thread.

Pro tip: For coats and jackets, check if a spare button is sewn inside the hem or on an interior tag. Many quality garments include extras.

Popped Seams

Time: 10-15 minutes

Skill level: Beginner

Method: Turn garment inside out. Thread needle with matching thread. Use a ladder stitch (also called invisible stitch) to close the seam: insert needle into folded edge of one side, pull through, then insert into folded edge of opposite side directly across. Pull tight every few stitches. Knot at end.

Alternative: For hidden seams (armpit, crotch), fabric glue works in a pinch—apply thin line, press together, let dry 24 hours.

Stuck Zippers

Time: 2-5 minutes

Skill level: Beginner

Method: Lubricate before forcing. Run a candle, bar soap, or beeswax along both sides of the zipper teeth. Work the zipper gently back and forth. For metal zippers, a graphite pencil tip works well.

Warning: Never force a stuck zipper—you'll break the slider or tear the teeth. If lubrication doesn't work, it's a professional repair or sell as-is situation.

Missing Zipper Pull

Time: 2 minutes

Skill level: Beginner

Method: Thread a small keyring, paperclip, or ribbon through the slider hole. Decorative pulls can be found at craft stores—match the hardware finish (brass, silver, etc.).

Note: A missing pull is purely cosmetic. The zipper still functions. Easy fix that makes item "complete."

Small Holes (Under 1/4 inch)

Time: 5-10 minutes

Skill level: Intermediate

Method: For knits: gently pull the hole closed with matching thread using small stitches. For wovens: use fabric glue and a small patch on the inside if possible. For moth holes in wool, professional invisible mending is an option for high-value pieces.

Decision point: Location matters. A hole on the front of a t-shirt is a dealbreaker. The same hole on an inside seam allowance is invisible.

Loose Hem

Time: 10-20 minutes

Skill level: Beginner

Method: Pin hem in place at original fold line. Use blind hem stitch: catch just a thread or two from the outer fabric, then a small stitch in the hem fold. The stitches should be nearly invisible from the outside.

Shortcut: Hem tape (iron-on) works for quick fixes on casual items. Not recommended for quality pieces as it can leave residue.

Pro Tip
Match thread color when the garment is wet—thread often dries lighter than it looks on the spool.

When NOT to Repair

Some repairs aren't worth the time or exceed DIY skill level:

Zipper replacement: Unless you sew regularly, this is a professional job. Factor $15-30 alteration cost into your decision to buy.

Structural damage: Torn seams in stress areas (crotch, armpit) on thin fabric often tear again. May not be worth repairing.

Large holes or tears: Visible repairs look unprofessional. Either sell as-is with disclosure or skip.

Shrunk items: You can try to unshrink wool, but results are inconsistent. Often better to sell as-is with measurements.

See our repair vs. sell as-is decision guide for the full framework.

Time vs. Value Calculation

Apply the same 5x rule thinking to repairs:

A 10-minute button repair on a $50 jacket is a no-brainer. A 30-minute seam repair on a $15 item means your time is worth $30/hour—marginally okay, but consider if that time is better spent sourcing or listing.

Batch repairs during downtime (TV, podcasts) to make better use of the time.

Disclosure Rule: If you repair an item, you don't need to mention it in your listing unless the repair is visible or affects function. A properly replaced button is not a "flaw." A patched hole is.
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