moth hole repair?

[redlinerobert]

Hi everyone,

So I'm going to a wedding in a month and looking at the suit I want to wear to make sure it still fits properly as I've lost some weight. As I'm pulling the suit out of the closet I find a couple moth holes. Rats!

Several years ago I used a service that reweaves these sort of issues and makes the hole go away. I can't seem to find the number.

Does anyone here know of a reputable place that does this line of work?

Also what is the best method to keep those pesky little creatures out of your closet? The closet is lined in cedar walls and floors but apparently that didn't do the job.

 

[Mathematicus]

What you are looking for is invisible mending; the knowledge of the technique has almost been lost in time but luckily there are few companies left offering the original product. I read somewhere that at least one is in the US, but frankly I cannot give you more information that this.

However, reweaving will be very expensive; the cost increases as the number and size of holes increases but also depends on the type of cloth. Invisible mending works better on heavy, fuzzy fabrics like flannel or tweed. It is more difficult to perform on coarse and stiff fabrics like sharkskin or serge and, of course, for thin fabrics it is almost impossible. So I suggest you think twice about having the suit rewoven: depending on the number of holes, their size, the type of cloth and, ultimately, the value of the garment itself, it might be more convenient to buy a new suit!

To avoid moths: you say that you had to try on the suit after years to check if it fit correctly. I am then inclined to think that you left it in your wardrobe without wearing or even touching it and I think this is the reason your suit attracted moths. Moths love dark humid environments. They will attack cloth that has been sitting there for long time, especially if it has been stored without any brushing or cleaning.
I always empty my wardrobe twice a year, brush every suit and every pair of trousers, clean the closet, spray some moth repellent, let dry and then put everything back. For the time inbetween, I use scented sachets that repel moths and keep clothes fresh. Recently I put a dehumidifier on the back bottom; every three months or so I have to change it as it is full of water!
Then I don't put anything in before brushing it. It works for me (and my wardrobe is not cedarwood).

 

[redlinerobert]

Thanks for your reply. I found a place in Los Angeles that does this work. Alex's Reweaving. Family owned. Will post back on results.