TM 10-8400-201-23
21-5. 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 21-3).
Table 21- 4.Stitching Instruction
THREAD
STITCH
STITCHES
LOCATION
TYPE
NEEDLE
BOBBIN
PER INCH
General
301
50
50
10-14
General
401
50
70
10-14
Bartacks
Bartack
50
50
28 per Bartack
Buttonholes
Buttonhole
30
50
52-56 per Buttonhole
Buttons
101 or 301
30
30
14-16 per Button
(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 salvage 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.
21-9
