TM 10-8400-201-23 12-6.        REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE-Continued (4) Remove wrinkles from area to be repaired and apply patch over damaged area on the out- side.  Press to smooth patch In place. (5) When holes exceed two inches, apply a patch to the Inside fabric before applying outside patch.  TEMPORARY PATCHES WILL NOT HOLD FOR LAUNDERING c.    Direct Support Maintenance. (1) Preliminary examination.  Dirt, mud, dust, spots, stains, and other foreign matter shall be removed with a brush or by laundering.  Mildewed and rotten items shall be discarded Seams shall be tested by grasping the garment with both hands and pulling at right angles to the seam.  Areas to be repaired shall be marked with crayon   Non-specification and personnel marks shall be erased or obscured. (2)   Stitching and restitching.  Use machine stitching wherever possible for all stitching and backstitching.  Backstitch or bartack all stitching at ends to prevent raveling.  Maintain proper thread tension to prevent loose stitching and to imbed the lock in the center of material sewn.  The looper thread should be on the outside of the garment  Backstitch type 301 stitching not less than 1 inch at each break Overlock thread breaks in overedge stitching not less than 3/4 Inch (1.91 cm).  Thread size shall conform to V-T-276 of the types and sizes listed below' FOR CLOTHING LINERS (NYLON THREAD) USE STITCH NEEDLE/BOBBIN THREAD STITCHES PER INCH General 301 or B B 10-14 401 B AA 10-14 Buttonhole --- B B 52-56 (buttonhole) Button 301 or B B 14-16 101 B - - 20-24 Overedging 503 or AA AA 8-10 504 -- --- Bartacking B B 28 (bartack) FOR PONCHO LINER (POLYESTER THREAD) General 301 B B 10-12 Bartack --- B B 28 (bartack) 12-7