TM 10-8400-201-23
15-5. REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE-Continued
(4) Sewing Machine Repairs, Stitching and Restitching. All sewing, except emergency repair, shall be machine
sewn. When ends of machine stitching type 301 are not caught in other seams or stitching, they shall be
back-stitched not less than 1 inch (2.54 cm) at each break. Ends of a continuous line of stitching shall overlap
not less than 1/2 inch (1.27 cm). Thread breaks (all stitch types) shall be repaired by stitching back of the
break not less than 1/2 inch (1.27 cm). Thread tension shall be properly maintained to avoid loose stitching
and locks shall be imbedded in the center of the material sewn. Stitch spacing used for restitching and type of
seams, shall be the same as in the original construction Seams with loose and/or weak thread shall be
restitched. For illustrations of the various types of stitches used, see FED STD-751. The following types of
stitch, thread size and stitches per inch for the repair (table 15-7).
Table 15-7. Stitching Instruction
THREAD
STITCH
STITCHES
LOCATION
TYPE
NEEDLE
BOBBIN
PER INCH
General
301
50/3
50/3
10-14
General
401
50/3
50/3
10-14
Bartacks
Bartack
50/3
50/3
28 per Bartack
Buttonholes
Buttonhole
50/3
50/3
52-56 per Buttonhole
Buttons
101 or 301
50/3
20-24 per Button
Eyelets
Eyelet Machining
50/3
50/3
19-24 per Eyelet
(5) Patching and darning. Patching and darning may be applied to any area of the items Repair small tears not
more than 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) across with a darning or zigzag stitch. Patch holes with a diameter of 1/4 inch
(0.635 cm) or more. Repair rips, tears, and thin areas greater than 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) by patching. Patches
shall be limited to a maximum of 2 inches (5.08 cm) in the greatest dimension. Patches shall match the
garment in color and type of material. Insert patch under damaged area; cut away damaged area and turn
edges under approximately 3/8 inch (0.952 cm). Cut patch large enough to extend not less than 1/2 inch
(1.27 cm) and not more than 1 inch (2 54 cm) around the perimeter of the opening with 3/8 inch (0.952 cm)
turn-under of all edges except selvage edges Precut all patches to provide for symmetry. Materials shall be
those specified in Section III.
(a)
Buttons. Replace missing, loose, or damaged buttons with buttons conforming to those listed in Section
III . Attach the buttons securely and align with eyelet of respective buttonholes.
15-16
